Richard Dimitri's Shredder Package - Review

[Thai Bri]

Shredder Review

The Shredder is a concept of close quarter fighting, developed by Richard Dimitri of Senshido. He is currently seeling a "Shredder Package", and this is a review of it.

Introduction

This is a review of the Shredder Package and will, of course, include comments on the concept itself. It is not intended to be an aid to instruction in any way shape or form. If you want that then get the tape, or get lessons. I also don’t want it to be another “Its awesome! Buy it!” piece. I’m more critical than that.

There are three items in the package. A Shredder T Shirt, a Booklet and the Video itself. In all honesty I would advise Richard to forget the T Shirt and reduce the cost a little instead. Its ok as T shirts go, but I am one of a great many people who would not wear a martial art logo out in the big bad world anyway. I don’t want to be challenged by meat heads. Mine came in medium, and I can’t even get it on! I believe its now “optional” anyway. Richard, knock a bit of dough off for those who don’t want the shirt….. But I cannot complain about the price. I pre-ordered mine but, owing to technical problems, my order was lost. Richard apologised and sent the tape out as soon as he could with a generous reduction. This type of good-natured way of doing business is the kind of thing that keeps me on as a customer.

The Booklet

The booklet is a loose bound A4 size black and white photocopy containing tactical explanations (of the Shredder as well as other Senshido philosophies), previous customer endorsements and pictures. There is also an interview with Richard at the end. It isn’t a top quality hard back or anything, but it does the job. Richard wants people to read the book prior to watching the tape but, in my view, it doesn’t really matter. I mean, you are going to get endless opportunities of both reading and watching again and again anyway, so what can be learned will be learned. But I still found it helpful to have the basic tactical theories written down. It goes a long way towards explaining what the Shredder is, and what it is not. It is a great point of reference.

The Video

Since I knowingly bought a VHS video to be played in a PAL player (to save money) I cannot comment on the picture quality. But mine is good enough to watch. The video lasts for almost 90 minutes and is packed with explanations, demonstrations and enthusiasm. Richard has a highly charged delivery, and it keeps the tape alive. It is “home made” to the extent that a Senshido instructor does the camera work. It was a pleasant relief, as the things you needed to see were in view as much as possible, and she resisted the “zoom button mania” that amateur camera operatives often fall prey to (the last video I bought was from another organisation. It had some great concepts that were greatly marred by some awful camera work). Some may be put off by his colourful use of language but, for me, it helped keep the whole experience of watching amusing and dynamic. Just don’t let the kids hear it. Overall it is not a glossy, movie star’s aerobics type pretty presentation. But it does the job.

Teaching Quality

All this is irrelevant if you cannot LEARN from the package. In both the book and the video he explains and demonstrates what is meant by things such as Senshido’s 5 Principles, the Quarter beat, Ghosting footwork, the Shield concept, 4 basic rules of behaviour when being verbally assaulted, tactical disengagement, dealing with multiple attackers, Anchoring, Distance, Predator/Prey mentality etc. He doesn’t want to “rehash” his own material, but it is necessary to an extent in order that the concept can be grasped by people with limited Senshido knowledge or experience (like me).

Demos are mostly done with full resistance, which is a nice change. They are largely unscripted, with the partner left to do more or less what they want. They get Shredded no matter what they do. He demonstrates the Shredder in varying scenarios – one to one, against a knife, ground grappling, avoiding takedowns, multiple opponents etc. What massive leaps forward he has made compared to the old style, pre-arranged “One Step Punch” demos of martial arts gone by. Where there has been some action the whole thing is occasionally played back in slow motion, which helps greatly in seeing what has gone on.
It would have added to the tape if he had included footage of Shredding people from outside the Senshido organisation, as you will always get people who feel that your own students “die” to your moves. No, I am not volunteering to be one of them – No Thank You. In fairness to Richard he never really Shreds them fully anyway. He goes easy on them(ish). Everyone still has a face by the end of the tape. Just.

I believe that the package itself is suitable for people with martial arts training, but is not detailed enough for those without any grounding at all. I don’t think that he goes into enough detail about the different elements in a Shred (the way to gouge, the way to palm, the way to knee etc) for that. I was also a little disappointed about “Ghosting footwork”. The lesson I learned was that it just meant “keep moving around them as you Shred”, whereas I was expecting some tips on how do that. I haven’t seen other Senshido products. Perhaps all the “walk before you can run” lessons are already on tape? Perhaps I’m old fashioned and out of step with Richard’s thinking, but I believe in building the blocks before you put them together. I’m all for doing what is needed at the right time, but don’t think that this can be achieved by most without getting the basics down first. Richard and students have been developing this for nine years. Someone without that experience may be able to just Shred from that start, but not to anything like their full potential. Think of this analogy. People new to the piano need to work some scales for a while before they can jam with the band. Otherwise it takes them more time in the long run to bang out a good tune.

But I am quite experienced in fighting arts. I can pick out little details that will help me perform better. After the first watch of the video I felt that my game had already been improved, and he had blown away some of my preconceptions about how it is done. If you’re like me you will be able to absorb it well enough.

The Concept of the Shredder

Richard goes overboard to explain that the Shredder is not a technique. Not magical, new nor the only thing you will need. He stresses the importance of all the other tools in your arsenal. He falls over himself to explain that the concept is simple, and it is. I just know that some people will take a cursory look and say “Is that it”? These are the types who wouldn’t have understood the importance of the wheel when it was invented. Shredding is a natural way to fight. Richard formalises and teaches something that we, as martial artists and products of our society, have been unlearning all our lives.

I am impressed by the Shredder. For me it fills the gaps in that awful “too close range” that grapplers exploit. The range where you can’t wind up any power, and are both left in a pushing and pulling match against a wall or falling to the floor. For me it also replaces the concept of what I call “fancy trapping”, the Wing Chun and JKD arm fencing that I have never seen in a real fight, and never believed in. When in close from now on I’m going to Shred, not play patta-cake.

The Shredder will take off. It will spread throughout the Reality Based fight training community and beyond. As in all things people will come up with refinements and counters etc. But getting in on it now takes you ahead of the game. And it will take you to a much higher level in your abilities to deal with the average thug, robber or rapist. Without a platform such as the UFCs of the 90s it won’t make the big, immediate splash that grappling did. But it will catch up in the long run. The phrase “the missing link in martial arts training” has been used. That is not an exaggeration.

“Its awesome! Buy it!”

[kengar]

I have been wondering about this 'Shredder' thing, so thank you very much for posting your review.




Ken

[Rashid]

I also have the shredder package and agree with everything Bri Thai said. I gave the T-shirt to my nephew. That said it really improved my game and gave me an added element most never think of or do. Richard did an excellent job with it and I think it will for sure make its way around. I recommend the shredder package (minus the tshirt unless its your thing) to anyone as it is different and will add to any style a new facet. I would recommend getting a few of his other tapes as well as they are all excellent and lead up to the shredder.

[dkm]

seems like its getting good reviews but I am suspicious of methods that claim to handle multiple opponents. I'll hold my opinion until I see the package.

[Rashid]

dkm, it's not what you're thinking. Richard doesn't advocate going toe to toe with multiples, there's much more to the shredder than the physical side, the psychological side is what does it. This is one of the things Richard explains in the package. Pick it up you won't be dissapointed.

[Thai Bri]

Theres a couple of demos of multiple opponents on the video. One of the key concepts here is "Shielding", which means Shredding one guy, and keeping him between you and the other.

[Aaron04]

How does the Shredder compare to Paul Vunak's RAT? I know that RAT is a strategy for the entire fight, and the Shredder is just for part of the fight, but could it be integrated into RAT?

I've heard that Richard Dmitri is the real deal, how does he compare to Vunak?

[jules]

how does "shredder" differ from other CQC's such as MT and Bondo?

[Thai Bri]

The RAT system is another way to blast through someone. But, when in close, you can't get any "torque" with which to generate poweer. This is the range that Grapplers exploit. You can't effectively hit them, they can effectively grapple you. The Shredder is designed for this distance. Many of the techniques making up the Shredder are not strikes, they don't need that distance. They mash the guys face and throat.

As regards MT etc. Dimitri still emphasises the need to train your strikes (though I don't think he is big on kicks). You can't just rely on the Shredder to the exclusion of all else. But the difference between MT and the Shredder is very great. You can't Shred in the ring, as you have gloves on. Hence Thai Boxers grab and knee etc. But, without gloves, the Shred teaches you to really get your fingers into those important little places......... And Shred 'em.

[jules]

So it has some tearing/gouging ect?

[Thai Bri]

Lots.

[Nutz]

Originally posted by Thai Bri
Theres a couple of demos of multiple opponents on the video. One of the key concepts here is "Shielding", which means Shredding one guy, and keeping him between you and the other.

This sounds a lot like what Paul does in the Mass Attack tape. The basic premise is that by keeping your opponents lined up, you only have to fight one at a time.

[Rashid]

I've seen Vunak's Rat and it is excellent, the shredder picks up where the RAT finishes. In my opinion the shredder is an excellent addition to the RAT. As Rich says the shredder isn't the end all and be all, just a damn solid and functional concept. There's nothing else like it to date but many I feel will be jumping on the shredder bandwagon. Rich is the real deal, he comes highly recommended by many including Geoff Thompson, Lito Angeles, Sammy Franco, Sean Madigan and several other highly reputed people. It's not just he shredder that is excellent, Dimitri's material is all great. If you haven't checked it out yet, you're missing something.

[brokenelbow]

Thai Bri,
How is the shredder different than the old style karate and jujutsu face and neck grabbing, gouging and pulling techniques that used to be taught, or is it something different? Does Dimitri say where he got the inspiration for the shredder? After my experience wasting money on Vunaks RAT System I need to know what's being taught before I lay down any cash for the latest video with a snappy name. Good review but could you let slip one technique or concept from the tape?

[ryanhall]

Broken Elbow,
I have personally trained with Rich Dimitri, so I might be able to shed some light on your question.

Shredding is not a technique in any way shape or form. There is no 'do this and then do this' stuff, and it has nothing in common with anything Karate or Ju Jitsu.

It was originally inspired by Tony Blauer's 'blender' concept when Rich was Tony's top student. The blender was nothing more than a half beat elbow followed by an eye rake. Rich took this concept and fairly accidentally spawned the shredder through experiences training and taking in fields that tended to have a little bit of violence inherent in the work.

Shredding is based off of the flinch that is caused by each strike, rip, gouge, bite, etc. that you make. It functions on the quarter beat so that the other guy has no time to flinch before the next attack has happened. A full beat would be a conventional punch like a rear cross going out and returning to the guard. A quarter beat would be like a short palm heel followed by an eye rake (as the fingers are already on the eyes) followed by a vertical elbow or forearm shave up the face (this is just one of an infinite number of combinations that you can utilize, as your actions will be dictated by the opponent.

For what it's worth, the shredder has yet to fail me on the occasions that I have trained it full out with a completely resisting opponent. The only real issue with the shredder is use of force, as it tends to really mess up the eyes, face, and throat of the guy being shredded.

Somebody may have already said that shredding is great for that 'oh shit' range where nobody can hit anyone, and you are struggling for control of the clinch. The bonus of this is that you're relatively safe from strikes, and your tactile sensitivity will hopefully allow you to sprawl or jam a takedown. If you already function well in the clinch, your shredding will only be enhanced.

As Rich would tell you, it is not the be all and end all of martial arts. However, the sh!t does work. There's no two ways about it. Rich is a very personable guy. Call him up or e-mail him if you have a question. Better yet, why not shoot an e-mail to Sean Madigan of Combative Solutions? He's a notable MMA coach who was at the last Senshido seminar in New York. He seems to have nothing but good things to say about Rich and shredding.

Hope that helps.