The Cover of Essential Shotokan

Author/Producer/Instructor: David Gomez

Reviewer: Mark Groenewold

Date: May, 2005

David Gomez has created what can only be described as a significant contribution to the instruction of karate to the profession of Physical Education instruction. Previously reviewed on this site, The Essential Shotokan series, developed by David Gomez with Edmond Otis as the primary subject and instructor, was initially a video series to be used by teachers and students of Shotokan karate. A fabulous and fundamentally significant work in and of itself, David Gomez has now taken the Essential Shotokan material and taken it to the next level. It is now not only a DVD series, but also has with it a handbook, and classroom exercises to work through. For any of you who teach karate in any school environment, this material is brilliant for underscoring the learning that needs to take place.

I have previously ranted and raved about the excellence of this DVD series. It still is excellent. It still is a “must have” for instructors and students of Shotokan karate alike. With an integrated textbook to accompany the material, this is THE teaching material that you need to use in your karate courses. The handbook is structured nicely into chunks that can be assigned as homework to students, and which you can verify and examine carefully when you reconvene for class on the dojo floor.

One of the coolest features on the DVDs is that they are region-free. So what this means is that no matter where you live on the planet these DVDs will work in your machine. It just makes me weep knowing that so many DVD producers just can’t get on board with this simple notion of making their material universally playable. Thankfully, we also have the next generation of DVD players which are also region free. Hats off to Perfect Form for being so progressive in this regard!

So often our karate training happens in parts and pieces. Students often have to cobble together the lessons they get from their instructors and piece together their library of Shotokan knowledge. Many times we find students who are missing some key ingredients in their karate, whether it be their stances, punches, or kicks. Edmond Otis has been tremendously successful in being able to articulate and demonstrate how real karate should look and work. Now with David Gomez’s work developing this handbook students will be better able to take this wealth of information and knowledge and make it stick.

As an educator of lo these many years, I have met a variety of different students and encountered many different learning styles. Some students are very visual in their learning and having seen something are able to make that a concrete understanding in themselves. Other learners, like myself, learn better by writing things down and taking the time needed to reflect on what has been described in words. By combining this workbook with the DVD we have a perfect marriage of both learning styles.

This material is highly recommended for all Shotokan teachers and students, and is doubly emphasized for those of you looking to bring the best learning material to classrooms, high schools, colleges, or universities.

Inquire with David Gomez about ordering single or multiple copies for your school or club.
www.essential-shotokan.com
gka2@bellsouth.net
http://www.georgiakarateacademy.com/

This DVD set with workbook is a must have for any instructor who needs a systemized curriculum to use with school students. Heck, you can use this material with any of your students!

Mark Groenewold
Kanazawa, Japan
May, 2005