Stick Fighting
Curriculum
Basic Striking Angles
There are an uncountable number of styles in Filipino stick-fighting, but they
all have one common denominator that gives them adaptability. Their principles
of combat are based on a pattern of angles that all attacks must fall into,
regardless of style, regardless of weapon, discounting of course the use of
firearms. The pattern takes the form of combinations of what may be recognized
today as mathematical symbols. (See diagrams.)
With the addition sign (+) and the multiplication
sign (X) and dot, a pattern forms that any trusting attack, such as a jab with
the fist or a stab with a knife, or any arching attack, such as the wide
swinging blow of a club, must follow. The pattern of angles is the same whether
the attacker is jabbing and swinging with a weapon or kicking and punching.
The addition sign stands for the vertical and
horizontal strikes and the multiplication sign stands for the diagonal strikes.
The dot in the center of the pattern represents all thrusting or jabbing
motions, as opposed to the wide swinging blows. Though the dot only appears in
the center of the pattern, representing primarily the center thrust that comes
right down the middle, trust may actually occur at any of the angles.
Within some stick-fighting styles, the angles of
attack are treated as the pie-shaped areas between the lines of the mathematical
symbols. Any attack, for instance, between the top vertical line of the pattern
and the next diagonal line to it is treated as one angle. Escimadors from other
styles direct their attention to the lines themselves and practice their
defenses against each line that represents an angle of attack. The important
thing is that you keep the defenses you will learn flexible enough to blend
either way with the attack. Even more important is that you remain flexible
enough to flow with sudden changes in angle.
The infinity sign (¥ ) that completes our
drawings is the standard motion of the stick to keep the Escrimador's movement
fluid. This figure- eight motion is used in its complete form or partially.
Numbering
System
There are many styles of Escrima, Arnis, and Kali, and they can all be divided
into northern, central, and southern styles of the Philippines. But it is
interesting to note that two students coming from, say, the Toledo style,
descending from the same man names Santiago Toledo, can be completely different
in their movement approach and training methods. Styles borrow from each other,
expand and contract like the universe, but each student makes a style workable
by individualizing it for himself. Instructors remove and add their own elements
to the style the teach and students, likewise, may add things to a style that
were thrown out by their instructors. So in my opinion, there are no styles. I
prefer to use the terms methods or systems of training. Style is something
individualized. (Guro Dan Inosabto)
Striking Motions
Lobtik - The long arc or stemmed blow, similar to the motion of a sword
slashing through something. This is a full-powered strike that is aimed through
a desired target. This method of striking does not retract or stop at the point
of impact; rather it follows its path from beginning to end. This strike does
not stop until it comes to the end of its motion, unless it is met with
resistance or is blocked. A variation of this motion is the stem less blow, the
shortened arc or stem less blow that is pulled inward halfway through the swing.
Witik - The "rap" which is a blow that
returns along the same path that it went out. This method of striking involves
retraction, which is useful when switching directions or angles of attack. The
advantage of this strike is its speed and uncertainty of where the next strike
will come from. Faking maneuvers and multiple striking are all executed in the witik form.
Saksak - The thrust or jab. Thrusting
attacks primarily go right down the middle, but may occur at any angle. There
are two types of energy that go into a thrusting motion. The first is much like
a jab with the end of the weapon. With a jab equal emphasis is given to the
striking and retracting motions. The motion of the jabbing thrust is much like
that of the witik where the retraction flows directly into the next motion.
The second kind of energy is the stab that
suggests a weapon with a pointed tip such as a sword or dagger. The stabbing
thrust is a fully committed killing move, delivered as a coupe de grace.
The only place it might be used otherwise is as a body shot with a long or heavy
blunted weapon.
Abaniko - The abaniko strike is a fanning
motion that is made with the stick. It is a witik strike that switches
angles of attack. The abaniko can be executed horizontally, diagonally,
or vertically. It is important that the body and arms move in sync to provide
the proper mechanics needed for a powerful whipping motion. Many times the
abaniko is used to fake or set-up your opponent, enabling you to pick your
desired target area.
Arko - The arko is the basic
Escrima twirl or circle of the stick. The stick can be twirled in an upward or
downward motion. Relax your hand but keep your fingers grasping the stick.
Bantay Kamay - Bantay Kamay is the "Alive
Hand" or your empty hand. This is the hand responsible for the checking or
monitoring of your opponent's hand or the weapon itself. It is also used for
disarming, striking, thrusting with a knife and passing.
Specifics of Striking Motion
Basically, there are four striking motions that
can occur in any attack. (See diagram.)
A strike should take less than 2/10ths of a
second.
Footwork
Escrima, and particularly Kali, use the symbol of the triangle to explain many
of their combative principles. The core of the offensive and defensive movements
is the knowledge of zoning and the skills in movement through footwork.
Zoning - Zoning refers to movements made
with the intention of effectively blocking or evading an opponent's strike.
There are two reference points, at the beginning and at the end of a given
motion. If someone were to strike you, his maximal force would be aimed at a
specified area; for example, your face. At the points just before and just after
the desired point of impact, there is considerably less force. This is because
you have to build up the force needed to accelerate your weapon, and after the
point of impact it is necessary to slow down to halt the momentum of your
strike. It can be very dangerous to attempt to block a strike at its point of
full impact. It is best to either jam, meet the strike before it has built up
full force, or pass, follow the weapon and employ a check during its retraction.
A third method is to combine the two to make a meet and pass defense.
Triangle stepping - A large percentage of
footwork patterns are based on the triangle. There are both forward (female) and
reverse (male) triangles. The forward triangle is generally used for defensive
purposes and the reverse triangle is generally used for offensive movements.
There are three points to a triangle: a frontal
location, known as the point of the triangle, and two rear locations, known as
the base of the triangle. When fighting, one generally places his stick or
strong side on the point of the triangle and steps to either base of the
triangle to initiate both offensive and defensive techniques.
Replacement Stepping - Replacement
stepping is the core of the defensive movements because in Escrima one rarely
steps back or retreats, instead one employs body shifting and zoning. When
defending attacks to the left side of your body, it is better to have your right
side forward, and vice verse. You can defend against an attack to your right
with your right side forward if the timing does not allow replacement stepping;
however, it is stronger and much safer to zone. This type of footwork is called
replacement stepping because you are replacing the front foot with the rear
foot. Although this is also triangle stepping, the distinction is made in order
to emphasize its importance.
The Concept
of Distance
Distance can be defined as any distance from which your opponent can strike you
with an edged, impact, or anatomical weapon. There are three main distances.
Offensive as well as defensive strategies must be understood, developed, and
mastered in each of the three ranges. The concept of distancing must be
understood because there is no set numerical distance between each range, it is
determined by the height of the opponent and the length of the weapons.
Largo mano - meaning Long hand, represents
the farthest distance at which you can strike or be struck by your opponent. It
is a range at which your opponent cannot strike you with his weapon, but you can
strike your opponent's hand with yours.
Medio - meaning "medium," is the distance
that you and your opponent are given the opportunity to strike one another in
the head. Because of this danger, the alive hand is introduced. In other words,
you can monitor your opponent's weapon hand with your free hand.
Corto - meaning close or short, is the
closest range that is encountered while standing. In this range, you are a bit
too close to execute many of the actual striking techniques, with the exception
of the puno. Consequently, this is typically when disarms occur and unarmed
combat ensues.
The Live Hand
Guro Dan Inosanto once said, "If a good Escrimador were asked to point out the
single most important aspect that makes his fighting work, chances are he would
refer to the use of the alive hand."
Most often, the alive hand is the one that holds
the opponent's weapon hand or arm in place after the defensive motion has
stopped or diverted the blow and is, therefore, a close-quarter tool. It is the
transition between the fighter's defensive motion and his counterstrike. Without
the alive hand holding the opponent's hand in place, his weapon might easily
return again before the fighter has time to make his counterstrike. During the
Spanish reign in the Philippines, and in combat situations where the ancient
Filipinos fought against the Spanish in swordplay, the alive hand played an
important part in confusing the Spanish swordplay. This was especially true in
the southern Philippines where they were unconquered for 366 years.
When the alive hand is not being used, it is generally kept near the center of your chest.
Phone: (203)-980-0459
email: info@elitejkd.net
Current Events What is Jeet Kune Do? About The Instructors Elite JKD's Programs Certification Elite JKD's Family Tree Home
Intensive Personal Training Programs Elite Fighting Programs Learn JKD In Your Own Home Law Enforcement Programs Seminars & Workshops
Elite Jeet Kune Do LLC is an organization dedicated to the exploration/teaching of realistic street self-defense. Elite JKD was formed by renowned instructor
Eric Wnek | Voice: 203-980-0459 | © 2006 elitejkd.net, All Rights Reserved | Please contact webmaster with any questions webmaster@progressivetacticalsystems.com