Philippine martial arts are primarily the art of fighting with traditional weapons. They are one of the most popular in the world. The practicality of these arts is enhanced by the versatility of weapons. The strength of these styles lies in the ability to match and adapt to any combat situation.
general characteristics
Philippine martial arts are some of the most thoughtful and practical fighting techniques in the world. This is one of the most effective and time-tested combat systems. They cover all distances at which a battle can be fought:
- long distance (kicks);
- average distance (punches, elbows, knees);
- short distance (captures).
Their practicality is due to the fact that they do not focus on complex actions.
Even the formal exercises (anyo) used by some Filipino systems consist of actual combat. Historically, these components have been hidden in dance (sayaw).
When fighting a weapon at a great distance, the tip of a stick or sword can be used; at medium range, the body of a stick or the blade of a sword is used; and at a short distance, the lower part of the stick (punyo) or the hilt of the sword.
In the Philippine combat systems, several types of weapons are used, including dagu (knife), bolo (sword), baston (rattan sticks). In addition, sections such as mana (empty hands), sipa (kicks) and much more are included. The weapon used depends on the distance: Largo (long distance), Medio (medium), Corto (short).
In the Philippine arts (potassium, eskrim, or arnis), they first teach how to use weapons, and then go empty-handed techniques.
Strange as it may seem, the hand-to-hand fighting techniques of the Philippine martial arts are based on the principles underlying the movements of the stick and sword. These martial arts are the only ones that can complement any other martial style. They do not conflict with other styles; they actually strengthen them with their kick and hand kick technique, the art of self-defense, the technique of wrestling and throws.
Classification
Before you give an overview of Philippine martial arts, you should consider their classification. In these martial arts, there is no division into traditional and non-traditional styles. The classification is based on the period of their creation, and the differences are related to what martial arts influenced them, what weapons and how they are used, the presence of unarmed combat equipment.
In accordance with this, three groups of FBI are distinguished:
- ancient - until the XVI century. (developed under the influence of Indian, Indonesian, Malaysian and Chinese martial arts; the main weapons are the traditional sword, machete, spear, bow, wind pipe, flexible weapons, shield, etc.); unarmed combat technique is auxiliary; complex movements; lack of competition);
- classic - XVI - XX centuries. (developed under the influence of European fencing techniques and South China martial arts; weapons - sword, machetes, knife, stick; combat techniques without weapons were developed against an armed enemy; the first competitions appear);
- modern - XX - XXI centuries. (the development was influenced by European, Japanese and Korean martial arts; a stick, a machete, a knife and improvised items are used as weapons; fighting without weapons is a separate section; sports are held in some forms).
Modern styles are studied in different countries of the world, including Russia. In Moscow, Filipino martial arts are studied at several clubs and centers. Everyone is offered classes in potassium, arnis and some other Filipino styles.
A major center is the Federation of Philippine Martial Arts in Samara. Several modern schools are represented here - Arnis, Combat, Kali, Filipino boxing.
Gun battle
In Philippine martial arts, weapon fighting techniques are more than just using your own weapons. This also applies to the use of enemy weapons.
Teaching Filipino techniques of armed combat is not just about traditional sticks and knives. This is due to the fact that far from always people can carry these items with them. However, these skills can be applied to almost everything - a cane, mobile phone, credit card, umbrella and even a bottle of water.
Although some instructors focus on the sports component, these types are a form of self-defense, since the techniques of real combat are at the heart of Filipino martial arts techniques.
The beginner begins training with a single stick, then gradually switches to the Sinavali (a formal set of traditional exercises) with two sticks. After that, the fight with a stick, the fight with a knife, a sword is studied. Then hand-to-hand fighting techniques are studied.
The benefits of Filipino martial arts are undeniable. The stick fighting technique is suitable for everyone: for example, children can learn sinahalas. These exercises strengthen the limbs and develop coordination, the eye. Children also learn how to handle potentially dangerous weapons safely.
For police and military personnel, Filipino martial arts and hand-to-hand fighting techniques provide the necessary set of skills, primarily those related to tactical knife possession.
For women, Filipino arts are ideal because even the smallest hands can hold a knife and use it as a deadly weapon. A trained woman who knows the technique of Filipino martial arts using any of these weapons will be able to protect herself from almost any attacker.
Principles of Learning
All types of these martial arts are focused on universal concepts, rather than using different methods for each situation. In the process of training, attack angles are considered, but this is not about specific attacks: the instructor will not share the protection from a blow, capture or push from the front, all this will be considered as an attack from the front. As soon as the learner learns to determine whether there is an attack from inside or outside, left or right, he will have the necessary base. After this, further training will be devoted to techniques and combinations that incorporate these basics.
In the process of training, students are taught to use the environment as tools for combat. This art contributes to the development of coordination and perception.
Overview of Filipino Martial Arts
With a long history, Filipino martial arts have long been the foundation of Filipino society. It was the practice and preservation of these arts that kept the Philippine archipelago from the constant domination of foreign powers. There are several hundred styles of these martial arts that are currently preserved and taught throughout the Philippines. Although they are known by many names, often the art of Filipino warriors is represented by only three styles - Arnis (eskrima) and Kali.
Modern arnis
The Filipino martial art of Arnis, or eskrim in Spanish, translates as stick fight. According to legend, initially the reed from which the sticks were made was considered sacred by people practicing martial arts, so the blows were not delivered to the opponent’s stick, but to the hand or forearm. In addition, the advantage of this technique was that he forced the enemy to drop his weapon. However, many considered such training too painful and traumatic. As a result, Filipino martial arts began to lose popularity; in many parts of the Philippines, Japanese martial arts such as karate and judo became more common than indigenous systems. However, this technique still remains the basic principle of modern arnis, and in practical applications the blow is usually delivered to the arm. This method is also used in hand-to-hand combat.
Arnis Technique
The training program includes self-defense with empty hands (punches, blocks, etc.). Espada-Dag technique (a duel with a sword and a dagger), Sinawali and tapi-tapi (stick to stick blocks) are also being studied. In addition to paired exercises in the Filipino martial art, Arnis uses solo forms with and without a stick.
The key elements are:
- work with weapons;
- footwork technique;
- disarmament technology.
The methods of work include:
- solo baston (single stick);
- double baston (two sticks);
- bar (knife protection);
- Espada and Dag (stick / sword and dagger);
- daga sa daga (knife fight);
- mano-mano (unarmed battle).
Doomog
Dumog is another type of Filipino martial art. Combines shock equipment, captures and throws. Like other types of FBI, the dumog was to some extent influenced by other species, such as judo and jujitsu.
The style is based on the so-called concept of control points on the human body, which are exposed to in order to bring the enemy out of balance. Technique involves the use of improvised objects and the environment (walls, tables, chairs). With their help, immobilize the enemy or cause maximum pain when they collide with them.
Kali
Kali is considered the most dangerous system in the Philippines. The term itself is not translated. This style includes the work of different types of knives. He appeared before the Spanish conquest. The local martial art that the Spaniards encountered in 1610 was not yet called Arnis. In those days, this martial art was known as Kali. It is the oldest form of Filipino martial art. Kali is violent, while arnis is defensive. Arnis uses a minimum of violence or damage, the main goal is simply to disarm the enemy, while the Kali is used to do maximum harm or kill.
Panantucan
Panantukan, or suntukan - is a Filipino boxing option. It includes techniques of punches, elbows, and head. And also low kicks and knees are used on different parts of the legs and groin.
This martial art cannot be called a sport; rather, it is a street combat combat system. These methods have not been adapted to ensure the safety of fighters or to comply with competition rules. The usual goals in such fights are large muscles, eyes, nose, jaw, temple, groin, ribs, spine and back of the head - all those parts of the body whose defeat is prohibited by the rules of any competition.
Cinema mutay
Kino Mutai (Kina Mutai or Kina Motai) is a Filipino martial art that uses unconventional tactics such as bites and squeezing eyes.
Although this martial art can be seen simply as a dirty street fight, mutai cinema schools teach how to surpass a larger and stronger opponent. Mutai movie techniques are sometimes added as a component in the study of other Filipino styles such as Arnis and Kali.
Sikaran
Sikaran is a Filipino martial art that focuses almost exclusively on kicking techniques. The basis is hits on the upper level. Hands are used only to block bumps and grabs. A peculiar symbol of Sikaran is the hit of a biaquid, or "dragon's whip." It looks like a whip catching kick. Despite the complexity of its implementation, the followers of Sikaran easily get this blow to the back of the enemy’s head.
The origin of Sikaran is associated with peasant contests during the harvest holidays. Gradually, the methods of warfare improved, systematized.
In Sikaran, strikes were divided into two categories: those with the goal of heart, neck, head, groin, and spine were fatal. To paralyzing belonged less dangerous blows. Sikaran also uses traditional weapons: balisong, kris and sticks.
"Sikaran" is a coined word obtained from the root of the word "sikad", which means "blow."