Pananjakman refers to the kicking methods
employed in Filipino Kali. Because Kali is a weapons based system, most kicks
are centered below waist level, kicks target vulnerable areas such as the instep
of the foot, ankle, knee and hip joints as well as areas such as the bladder,
groin and shin bone. As with the empty handed boxing skills, kicks also target
nerve and pressure points in the legs so as to inhibit mobility.
Both Panantukan and Pananjakman, when combined, offer a vast arsenal of highly effective combat applications which attack the limbs and body of an opponent in a flurry of devastatingly fast combinations designed to overwhelm an opponent thus making any form of effective defense almost impossible.
The warrior arts have long been the backbone of Filipino society. In fact,
it is the practice and preservation of these arts that has kept the Philippine
archipelago from permanent domination by a foreign power.
The Philippine martial arts Eskrima, Arnis de
mano, and kali are still widely practiced today. Although edged, impact, and
projectile weapons form the nucleus of these fighting systems, their respective
kicking methods are essential elements of their effectiveness.
During the Spaniards' 300-years plus domination
of the northern Philippines, weapons were banned and the warrior arts were
forced into seclusion. The weapons systems were practiced and preserved,
however, in dances set to native rhythms, which were often performed for the
Spaniards' enjoyment. One such dance, the sinulog, climaxed with a mock sword
battle, while the bibabayan dance resembled a skirmish between two groups of men
who brandished swords and shields.
Whereas the Filipino weapons systems were
preserved in dance form, warrior kicking methods were disguised in games. Sipa,
a game often played by Filipino children, consists of a rattan ball that is
kicked into the air and must not be allowed to hit the ground. Kicking
techniques are employed by team members to keep the ball airborne. Sikaran, a
more combative game, involves two men who attempt to kick one another out of a
small circle.
After one opponent has been kicked out of the
boundaries, a new opponent enters the circle and challenges the victor.
The Filipino weapons and kicking methods were
eventually integrated into one complete system through clandestine training. The
Filipinos discovered that by adding kicking techniques to their existing weapons
repertoire, they could effectively overcome an opponent versed only in weaponry.
Pananjakman, the name given to these combative
kicks, has proven to be an integral part of the Eskrima system in particular.
While not as aesthetically appealing as, say, the flashy kicks of tee kwon do,
Pananjakman techniques have proven especially effective for diverting an
opponent's attention and disrupting his timing and balance, which then affords
the Eskrimador an opening to attack.
Although Pananjakman includes more than a
half-dozen kicks, they are variations of just two techniques: sipang
paharap(front kick) and sipanggabiakid (reverse kick). The primary targets for
the sipang paharap and the sipang pabiakid are the opponent's instep, the front
and back of the knee, the calf, and the thigh. The kicks focus on the opponent's
lower body because they are likely to be struck by the opponent's weapon if
delivered higher. Also, an attempt to lift the foot higher than waist level
could result in a loss of balance and timing, which can prove fatal in the fast
and unpredictable world of weapons combat.
Using a form of "triangle" movement, the
Eskrimador skilled in Pananjakman is able to change positions frequently, with
no apparent shifting of his upper body to telegraph his intentions. The
Eskrimador uses stomping techniques to create a "broken" rhythm that keeps the
opponent distracted until an opening is established. Once an open target is
found on the opponent's legs, the Eskrimador delivers a kick and quickly follows
it up with either another kick, or a hand or weapon technique, until the
skirmish is ended.
Diligent practice and perseverance are needed to
ensure proper development of Pananjakman techniques. By repeatedly executing the
kicks during empty-hand and weapons sequences, they become second nature and
will prove to be efficient elements of an Eskrimador's overall arsenal.
Proper posture and balance are a must during the
execution of Pananjakman kicks. Inferior balance or posture causes kicks to lack
power, and leaves the Eskrimador in an awkward or unstable position, which can
result in his defeat.
In Pananjakman training, emphasis is placed on
creating, and adapting to, various timing patterns. The Eskrimador can deliver
the kicks by themselves in a steady rhythm, or they can be used with a broken
rhythm and delivered in combination with weapons or empty-hand techniques.
Timing is developed through sparring drills.
Proper balance is developed through specific
kicking drills. One method has the Eskrimador stand on one leg and kick a target
for an extended period of time while maintaining his balance. Another method is
a two-man drill which includes triangular footwork. This drill incorporates the
sipang paharap and the sipang pabiakid within the framework of a 12-step
pattern.
Proper timing and balance on the part of the
Eskrimador, coupled with the sudden explosiveness of the kicks themselves, are
the reasons for Pananjakman's effectiveness. And while there are many effective
kicking methods in the martial arts, only Eskrima offers such destructive kicks
while simultaneously skirmishing with weapons. It is no wonder, then, that the
Filipino warrior arts are among the deadliest combat styles known to mankind.
Pananjakman kicks can be used to counter any number of attacks by your opponent.
The Filipino arts do not kick very high, instead
they prefer to kick at waist level and below, the primary targets being the
thigh, knee, and shin. The kicks are not very pretty to watch but are delivered
with body weight behind them and usually from punching range.
You may be asking yourself "Why from Punching
Range?", this is because at this distance you will be trying to counter your
opponents attack and the kicking techniques are used to distract your assailant,
destroy his mobility and if possible take them to the floor. You should be able
to put these low level kicks in whilst punching or locking.
Striking Tools
The most common Kicking tools are the Knee and
sole of the foot, occasionally the ball of the foot is used. I have never seen
the instep used this possibly being due to the fact that the instep does not
give you as much penetration of power.
Oblique Kick (Sipa) - This is delivered with the
sole of the foot, usually from the rear leg to the knee or the shin. This type
of attack will cause instant pain and is intended to stop the forward motion of
the attacker. This kick will also keep pressure on the opponent whilst allowing
yourself time to maneuver into a better position.
Front / Point Kick - The Eskrima front kick is
generally delivered with the ball of the foot or the toes. This gives more
penetration to the kick. The kick can either be used as a straight attacking
tool or as a counter attacking tool.
Knee - The knee is primarily used to attack the
thigh. The points to attack are the Sciatic Nerve ("Dead Leg"), the back of the
thigh (Hamstring) and the front of the thigh. Kneeing the front of the thigh is
usually done to stop your opponent moving forwards. This is not to say that
obvious targets such as the groin are not taken advantage of. The knee is also
used in pushing attacks to off balance your opponent, this is done by pushing
your opponents knee either to the outside of his body or by pushing the knee
straight back. This is sometimes done in conjunction with a foot trap to provide
a lever.
Shin - The shin is usually delivered in a
roundhouse fashion, either to the side of the thigh, similar to a Muay Thai
kick, or to the front of the thigh which has to be felt to be believed. This is
usually delivered to help bend your opponent over. The kick to the front of the
thigh is delivered from the side and is done in conjunction with a trapping move
to the arm.
Feet - The feet are also used to apply trips and
sweeps to the lower leg to put and opponent down. Stamping is also another
viable form of attack. As said before this is usually done in conjunction with
another form of attack to keep your opponent off balance and confused. The heel
is also used in a hooking type of kick to attack the rear of a opponents leg,
this would be to the Knee, Calf or Ankle.
The preferred targets are the knee and the shin.
The knee if pushed from either side is very easy to collapse and will result in
your opponent taking a tumble. The shin is very easy to contact and can cause a
lot of pain if contacted with boots or shoes.
Filipino Martial Arts are one of only two arts
that I know of which contain sensitivity drills, the other being Wing Chun, the
sensitivity drill of the FMA is called Higot Hubud Lubud.
Hubud (for short) as it is commonly called is used to train
sensitivity in your limbs so you feel how your opponent is moving, this will
help you to keep contact and flow from one technique to another.
Hubud can be practiced in many forms and in any
number of counts. The easiest method is probably 4 count. This is difficult to
explain in words but I will do my best.
1. Your partner throws a straight right punch at
you.
2. You parry his wrist with your left palm.
3. Now scoop his wrist to his inside zone with
the back of your right hand. This should be in front of your left hand.
4. Slap his arm down with your left palm.
5. Punch towards him with your right fist. The
sequence now reverses and your partner has his turn.
This is only a basic Hubud but at even a slightly
higher level it includes changeovers from right arm to left arm and also
changing from the outside of the arm to the inside.
If you want to learn Hubud I suggest you do so from a qualified instructor.
Phone: (203)-980-0459
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