ESPY Sampler

I just viewed the ESPY-TV Sampler of martial arts instructional DVDs. ESPY, for those not familiar, was a small instructional video outfit that offered instruction in traditional martial arts and produced the bulk of their tapes in the early to mid-1990's. Despite having some decently produced tapes that were shot "live" (as opposed to Panther's splicing and editing of techniques into 'chapters') ESPY never really gained much momentum and did not rise to the popularity of other instructional video companies. If you purchase one of their remastered DVD's today, you will find a sampler of clips from their other releases. This is a brilliant idea that other production companies should have followed, but did not. (The lone exception I can think of is the old Renzo-Kukuk Jiu Jitsu series)

As stated before, most of the clips in the sampler are that of old, traditonal martial arts. If you are a fan of classic styles and systems or have a curiosity, the sampler provides a decent look at what other instructors are offering. Whether or not what they are offering is truly of any merit is another matter altogether, but at least you can get an idea as to what you are going to find on the tapes. (This was critical in the old days of video purchasing when many horribly produced tapes had flooded the market and people found themselves rather unpleasantly surprised when a shoddily produced tape found its way to a mailbox. (also, tapes were outrageously expensive in the old days so the sting hurt even worse)

ESPY-TV remains a curiousity in the realm of martial arts instructionals as they have stayed 'small.' Then again, numerous big companies collapsed under the weight of a changing marketplace so perhaps ESPY had the right idea all along.