From: eskrima-digest-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: eskrima-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #239 Reply-To: eskrima@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: eskrima-digest-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest Sat, 5 June 1999 Vol 06 : Num 239 In this issue: eskrima: Re: Training the visually impared eskrima: Does size matter? eskrima: Re: burmese walking stick eskrima: Questions eskrima: Re: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #236 eskrima: re: seeking rattan eskrima: Re: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #234 eskrima: Re: two handed style eskrima: . .......................................................................... Eskrima-Digest, serving the Internet since June 1994. ~1100 members strong! Copyright 1994-99: Ray Terry, Inayan System of Eskrima, Martial Arts Resource Replying to this message will NOT unsubscribe you. To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe eskrima-digest" (no quotes) in the body of an e-mail (top line, left justified) addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To send e-mail to this list use eskrima@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com See the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) FAQ and online search the last two years worth of digest issues at http://www.MartialArtsResource.com Mabuhay ang eskrima! Ray Terry, PO Box 110841, Campbell, CA 95011 FMA@MartialArtsResource.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "BILL MCGRATH" Date: Fri, 4 Jun 1999 23:11:21 -0700 Subject: eskrima: Re: Training the visually impared From: Ladis,James S. To: 'tedtruscott' ; 'rayterry' ; 'billmcgrath' Date: Friday, June 04, 1999 10:04 AM Subject: Elbows & Knees >Gentlemen: > >I am a subscriber to the eskrima-digest; however, since I use my work e-mail >address, I cannot post to the list. > >I am currently developing a self-defense/martial art system for the visually >impaired. I'd like to include some elbow and knee drills. I have some basic >stuff from Kali, Muay Thai and Karate, but no drills. Can you recommend any >good instructional videos? > >Do you have any experience working with the visually impaired? Do you have >any ideas and/or recommendations regarding concepts and/or techniques? > >I would greatly appreciate your input. > >Thanks, > >Jim Hi James, In the Pekiti-Tirsia video "Tempering and Kickboxing" you will see some basic elbow drills. You can find ordering info on the Pekiti web site www.pekiti-tirsia.com In the meantime, try having the students do a variety of elbow strikes while moving to get their backs against a wall or parked car. On a signal have them grab an imaginary opponent in a clinch and deliver three knee strikes and a push. If they practice keeping the balls of their feet in contact with the ground and their knees bent in a kind of "ice skating" type step, they will be less likely to trip. Alternate having the wall or cars on their right, left and behind them when they begin the drill. I suppose they aren't using a guide dog (or they wouldn't be as concerned about self defense), but do they use a cane? Is there enough heft in the white folding cane that it could be used as a short club once folded? If not would they be willing to switch to rattan? Any type of ironwood would be better in a fight, but it would get heavy carried all day for most people. Swinging a long cane at an attacker's knees would cover a wide swath and be much less likely to result in a disarm then an attack to the head. As for concepts: If they can get their back against a wall at the first hint of trouble that may help. A lightweight bulletproof vest is a good idea. If they encounter a simple mugging, a second "drop wallet" with a small amount of cash and a loud personal alarm may cause a mugger to take the money and run. Are they willing to carry a knife (knives)? A knife held in icepick grip with the edge in and swung close to the body in a simple "X" pattern is very difficult for the average person to disarm. A few Bic pens in their pockets can be used in close quarters if they refuse to carry a knife. Give them quick, hard counters to grabs like finger, wrist and elbow brakes. Work a lot of grip exercises with them to make their techniques effective. Bringing someone to the ground may help nullify an unarmed attacker's sight advance, but you have to figure out a way your students can know they are dealing with only one opponent and know that while they are working a lock on the right arm, their opponent is not pulling a knife with the left. Regards, Tuhon Bill McGrath - -----Original Message----- ------------------------------ From: "BILL MCGRATH" Date: Sat, 5 Jun 1999 00:24:58 -0700 Subject: eskrima: Does size matter? John wrote:=20 "Confusion regarding comment in Tuhon Bill McGrath's excellent email=20 specifically "smaller/less experienced/female,etc" I understand the less = experienced category as I have often been in that position and been = handed my=20 head, or conversely taken advantage of same. However being large and = strong=20 have never found an advisories being "small" to be any kind of handicap. = In=20 fact in my experience from fighting anywhere from the street to a ring a = small man often comes with an attitude and fury not easily matched. As = for=20 the comment on female don't tell me we ever have a chance for a fair = fight=20 with one of them :-). Respectfully John" All else being equal, a good big man will beat a good small man. Of = course "all else" is rarely equal and a big heart in a small body can = beat a little heart in a big body. You do have a good point though. If = the opponents both have the same size weapon then their body size = lessens in significance. However, when you have a larger man wielding a = larger weapon against a small man with a small weapon, i.e.. big man = with stick Vs. small man with knife, then it is a good idea to give the = smaller man some extra armor during sparing practice.=20 Your comment about females reminds me of the story of Winston Churchill = who was asked just after W.W.II if he believed women would be ruling the = world in the year 2000. His answer, "Yes, I believe they still will be." Dave Fulton wrote in response to this question: >Has anyone here experimented with using khukuris (singularly or in = pairs) >within the FMA framework? If so, what were your impressions? I'm >considering purchasing some khukuris, since filipino weapons are rather = hard >to come by, but the profile/forward balance of the blade concerns me. =20 Interesting. I guess, like so many things in the Philippines, it's a=20 regional thing. But the typical bolo I saw carried on Luzon, Oriental=20 Mindoro, and Palawan had a forward curve. Not as drastic as SOME khukris = but still substantial. It makes for a great and efficient hacking = weapon,=20 and, if the point is lined up correctly, an adequate thruster. I forged=20 one out of 1095 that Tuhon McGrath saw (for Jack Bernard), perhaps he = can=20 comment? >Respectfully, > >Dave Fulton. >dwf@computerpackages.com =20 First off, I liked the balance of Dave's bolo over a kukri, though I = would have liked to see a more substantial grip than paracord. Picture a = longer, thinner straighter Kukri with a blunter tip and you can get an = idea of Dave's bolo. In general I think kukris are good for a big = committed hack rather than the quick changes one sees in most FMAs that = we usually see taught in the U.S. I know a barong has a similar total = weight, but that weight is distributed differently. As you put more = weight away from the centerline of the grip as in the blade of a kukri = you increase the difficulty of control. Picture holding an "L" shaped = bar with a total length of 2 feet and each leg of the L measuring one = foot. If you are cutting with the both legs of the L in line then you = have its mass working for you. However if you have to change direction = suddenly and at an angle so that the leg of the L that extends = perpendicular to the shaft you are holding is not in line with your = movement, then you will need to exert greater force to control the L = shaped bar than you would were you doing the same movement with a 2 foot = straight bar. As you increase the distance from the centerline, you also = increase the leverage. In this case, you are increasing the blade's = leverage over your grip at a rather awkward angle. =20 Regards, Tuhon Bill McGrath "No free man shall ever be disbarred the use of arms." Thomas Jefferson [ 200 lines deleted. Tuhon Bill, please do not send HTML to the list. Thx.] ------------------------------ From: Ken Date: Fri, 04 Jun 1999 23:02:04 -0700 Subject: eskrima: Re: burmese walking stick Hmmm...bamboo? I don't know. Yes, it is the t-handle style, yet the one I have doesn't quite seem like bamboo. For one thing, it has a definite, seperate "skin" comme rattan, plus like I said it is heavier than the rattan I'm familiar with -- all bamboo I've ever seen or felt has been slightly lighter than rattan, and far more distinctly segmented; this wood has the subtle segmentation that you find on skin-on rattan. Lahti, that might be a possibility. However, if you or anyone else knows that this is bamboo for certain, please let me know what sort of bamboo this is, as I'd be interested in finding some more, because it has that little extra "heft" that rattan lacks, without pushing into the weight class of ebony or ironwood, thus retaining nearly all the speed of rattan. By the way, as for finding more of this little gem, I'll ask my parents. They recall getting a little write-up sheet about the cane, and if there's anything resembling an address, brand, or any other clues I'll be certain to pass it on. As a whole cane, it makes an excellent 3' two-handed striking >and< trapping/tripping instrument, and broken down into its 18" components, one heck of a great pair of in-fighting batons. ------------------------------ From: "William R. Young" Date: Sat, 05 Jun 1999 00:45:31 -0600 Subject: eskrima: Questions As a "lurker" on the digest for the last couple of years, I continue to be amazed by the knowledge of those who actively post and answer questions, and hope someone can answer a few for me. I began studying eskrima about 7 years ago when my MA instructor, who in his 50's then with 30+ years of MA experience, decided to seek out an instructor and learn some "stickfighting" he had seen at a tournament in Durango, CO (we live in New Mexico). He found a guy in Durango who taught a system that was taught by a Rene Latosa, and who had started something called the North American Arnis Association. My instructor would come home and teach me everything he had learned so he would have someone to practice with (on). Eventually, after receiving a "Black Belt" from this N.A.A.A. there was no more contact with the man in Durango. I've never heard of him or the N.A.A.A. again. With respect to my other ma training, I was impressed with the simple, effective, no frills system. Not flashy, but very powerful and to the point. We were taught very direct attacks, never to move the stick except to block or strike... a very "hard" style. But we knew that we hadn't even scratched the surface of what the FMA's had to offer, and were hungry for more. Then my instructor found a school in San Diego run by the Cepeda Brothers. Guro Dan Cepeda, now retired in Las Vegas, is teaching us a style they call Baston Batangas, which I believe they say was taught them by Narrie Babao (probably misspelled). A much more fluid, softer style than the one before, but with a totally different 12 count. We are taught to always keep the stick(s) moving, etc., which is exactly the opposite of what we were trained earlier, but I realize that could just be in the different interpretations of the instructors involved. Since I have learned 2 different 12 counts, and know there are many more, so sometimes it's hard to imagine what some of you you mean by a #3 strike (which #3?)...but I've listened long enough to know that some of you know a little about most every system around. After not seeing anything on ED that mentioned these names or styles, I was wondering how they compared to those that seem to be more common on the list. Where did they originate? Has anyone ever heard of the North American Arnis Association, the Cepeda's or Narrie Babao? Respectfully, Bill Young Student ------------------------------ From: AKRKali@aol.com Date: Sat, 5 Jun 1999 10:57:48 EDT Subject: eskrima: Re: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #236 In a message dated 6/4/99 9:38:09 AM Central Daylight Time, eskrima-digest-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << In the late 1970's Tuhon Gaje brought back from a trip to the Philippines a staff technique called "Tapada" (different than "Tapado") which uses a full head height rattan staff that is rather whippy . The techniques involve striking the lead foot of the opponent as one of the primary targets and uppercutting the opponent's arms on the rebound with movements taken from the alphabet. >> No one answered my last entry about staff work. Is there anyone out there who can lead me in the right direction to get instruction on Kali staff work? Please e-mail me at: AKRKali@aol.com My name is Dave. ------------------------------ From: "Virginia Martial Arts" Date: Sat, 5 Jun 1999 11:54:38 -0400 Subject: eskrima: re: seeking rattan Quality rattan, eskrima videos, martial arts web hosting. www.kalieskrima.com ------------------------------ From: butch@epix.net Date: Tue, 01 Jun 1999 18:49:36 -0700 Subject: eskrima: Re: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #234 > From: Ted Truscott > Date: Thu, 3 Jun 1999 11:05:16 -0700 > Subject: eskrima: mind control > > I want criminal control or get out of my way while I do it with my choice > of tools. ME: While a maximum security penitentiary guard years ago, I came to the sudden reality that a person of average size and with no knowledge of armed and unarmed defensive skills is dead meat if he meets up with a real violent criminal on the streets. The average individual (even with martial arts training) will not stand too much of a chance against a man who can do 10 sets of 10 reps bench pressing 300 lbs barbells etc. Did you ever see how inmates work out in the joint? I did. Therefore, I did seek both martial arts training and, most of all, weapons training to give me an "edge" (FMA styles) against these type of people. You have to. It is a reality. There are some really bad people out here. And it is funny what a little dose of reality can do for a person. Which leads into this question. How many martial arts schools and instructors teach firearm marksmanship/gunfighting as part of their system? I have found that most MA instructors do not, will not or cannot. I have only met two instructors that require their students to learn to shoot as part of their belt promotions. After all, a firearm is a weapon of choice for most criminals so why not learn about how to defend yourself with one also. Is this not part of martial arts? Face it, a Bo Staff against an AK47 does not make it on the streets. Any comments? Butch > > > > From: Kalki > Date: Thu, 03 Jun 1999 14:48:13 -0500 > Subject: eskrima: Freedoms > > > We need more of that and fewer Rosie's that spout, 'the heck with the > > constitution, I just want all the guns gone!'. > > Amen fella. People quick to comment on things like "gun control" and ranting emotionally that "something needs to be done" need a few lessons in reality. ME: See my penitentiary comments above. When the gun-negators realize how many knifings occur every year, will they come to take my AFCK? Sounds mean doesn't it? AFCK, sounds like an AK47! Ban it! Combat Folder? Sue the company that makes it??? ME: We have more stabbing and stabbing related deaths than gun violence in my area. Why is their no hoopla about knife control? Why are there very few knife defense oriented courses at martial arts schools? Those who want to rid the 'environment' of weapons need to realize that they need the very people that they want to disarm to remain armed ... so that they can enjoy their other freedoms, even the decadent ones, eh? ME: It is about taking individual responsibility away from the person and blaming an entity etc... The devil made me do it etc... I got some psychbabble illness that made me do it. When I was growing up in the 50's and 60's, most of my relatives and neighbors had loaded weapons in the corner of their living room. No big deal. What is the problem? Most of them were WWII combat veterans and taught their kids to both fear and respect firearms. No problems back then. Why now? Also, my relatives had a warrior mentality that is needed every once in awhile in a culture. If you loose this mentality (or mental toughness) in your population, where will you find the people to stand up to evil when required. Can you give a crash course in this stuff to people so they can learn to survive fighting the dark forces. A Korean colleague told me of a night that he spent in the slammer after > defending himself against one huge dude ... busted the guy up pretty > bad. He got sued for damages. Day in court, the guy comes in bandaged > up with crutches, etc. ... judge decided the case after comparing their > stature ... little guy defendant, big guy plaintiff (attacker) all > busted up. Little guy got lucky that day :-) ME: Typical criminal "con". They try to beat you anyway they can. After all, the government promotes them to do so. Butch > ------------------------------ From: Robbie Trinidad Date: Sat, 05 Jun 1999 22:01:38 +0800 Subject: eskrima: Re: two handed style Hello, > From: "Galicha, JR" > Date: Fri, 4 Jun 1999 10:36:33 -0500 > Subject: eskrima: two handed style > Also, I noticed that on some > Kampilans there is a hook that curves out of the backside of the sword, > about 4-5 inches from the top. Besides some obvious applications, anyone > else know what this may have been used for? The hook is used with "Media Fraille" techniques. Media fraille is practiced in the Ilustrisimo system. - -- [=======================================================================] [ Roberto B. Trinidad | E-mail: deadlock@mozcom.com ] [ CEO - World Domination NetCorp. | http://www2.mozcom.com/~deadlock/ _ ] [ Freelance 3D Graphics Animator | Quezon City, Philippines _ // ] [ and Desktop Videographer | Member: Team AMIGA \X/ ] [-----------------------------------------------------------------------] [ "Ignorance is bondage,.... A man without a will of his own is a ] [ man without personality. He who blindly follows another's opinion ] [ is like a beast led by a halter." -- Jose Rizal -- ] [=======================================================================] ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Sat, 5 Jun 1999 12:45:14 -0700 (PDT) Subject: eskrima: . ------------------------------ End of Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #239 **************************************** To unsubscribe from this digest, eskrima-digest, send the command: unsubscribe eskrima-digest -or- unsubscribe eskrima-digest your.old@address in the BODY of email (top line, left justified) addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com, directory pub/eskrima/digests. All digest files have the suffix '.txt' Copyright 1994-99: Ray Terry, Inayan System of Eskrima, Martial Arts Resource Standard disclaimers apply.