# Slap off/Pull Off in Filipino Martial Arts

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2015/08/05/blog-slap-off-pull-off-in-filipino-martial-arts/
- Published: 2015-08-05T10:04:00-04:00
- Author: Brian Johns

## In this post, I discuss the 󠀁[slap-off/pull-off](https://brianejohns.com/2025/01/06/video-of-the-week-23-double-zero-after-the-slap-off-pull-off-drill/)󠁿* in Filipino martial arts. These moves are also common in other arts.

The [slap-off/pull-off](https://brianejohns.com/2024/03/25/video-of-the-week-5-slap-off-pull-off/)
drill is a mainstay of Modern Arnis training groups and classes. Professor Presas
spent time on this drill in every camp I attended while alive. The demonstration
in the above video is designed to teach the basic skills of the slap-off and pull-
off. 

## Slap Off

We like to emphasize the heavy check hand to execute this technique. After all, 
you are removing an obstruction to hit your opponent. If your check hand isn’t sufficiently
heavy, the opponent may buy time to counter you.

You must execute the slap-off with authority as [GM Bobby Taboada](https://brianejohns.com//2014/02/02/blog-meeting-gm-bobby-taboada/)
does below. Done properly, this is a powerful entry technique.

_GM Bobby Taboada executing the slap off. See video [here](https://youtu.be/Xv-4dwhexaE)._

The [slap-off](https://brianejohns.com/2024/04/01/video-of-the-week-6-slap-off-structure/)
is found in many other arts. For example, this is the “pak sao” in Wing Chun or 
JKD circles. Some have described pak sao as “a slapping hand” technique.

I have received the heavy check hand on the slap off by the late Professor Remy 
Presas and Professor Chuck Gauss. It is very_** powerful.**_

## Pull Off

The Wing Chun/JKD equivalent of the pull-off is the “larp sao.” Depending on the
lineage, this has been spelled “lop sao” or “lap sao.” In any case, it is most commonly
translated as “grabbing hand.”

_GM Bobby with the pull-off._

One of the advantages of the pull-off is that you can take the opponent’s balance
and exploit the momentary vulnerability. [There are so many things that you can do with the pull off, ranging from pulling, jerking, grabbing, seizing, controlling, and setting up for another technique](https://brianejohns.com/2023/08/09/killer-pushing-and-pulling-exercises/).

_The late Professor Remy Presas doing both the slap-off and the pull-off. Video 
[here](https://youtu.be/1p_Hx3T1DU0)._

Once the student has learned the basics of the slap-off and the pull-off, we can
play with these techniques’ energy in various ways through tapi tapi. The student
will learn to feel the opponent’s energy and execute the appropriate technique, 
whether it be the slap-off or the pull-off. 

The four basic ways that we practice these two techniques are as follows:

 1. Right vs. right cane;
 2. Left vs. right cane;
 3. Left vs. left cane; and
 4. Empty-handed.

### Bottom line, we practice these two techniques ad nauseum.

## How often do you practice these techniques in class?

*Terminology used in Modern Arnis.

## Additional Reading

 * [Fix It Friday: It’s A Reach!](https://brianejohns.com/2015/06/30/blog-fix-it-friday-its-a-reach-pull-off/)
 * [Video of the Week 5: Modern Arnis Slap-Off/Pull-Off](https://brianejohns.com/2024/03/25/video-of-the-week-5-slap-off-pull-off/)
 * [Video of the Week 11: Modern Arnis Pulling](https://brianejohns.com/2024/05/13/video-of-the-week-11-modern-arnis-pulling/)
 * [Killer Pushing and Pulling Exercises](https://brianejohns.com/2023/08/09/killer-pushing-and-pulling-exercises/)
 * [Horrifying Mall Attack](https://brianejohns.com/2023/12/06/horrifying-mall-attack/)

### Share this post:

 * [  X ](https://brianejohns.com/2015/08/05/blog-slap-off-pull-off-in-filipino-martial-arts/?share=twitter)
 * [  Facebook ](https://brianejohns.com/2015/08/05/blog-slap-off-pull-off-in-filipino-martial-arts/?share=facebook)
 * [  LinkedIn ](https://brianejohns.com/2015/08/05/blog-slap-off-pull-off-in-filipino-martial-arts/?share=linkedin)
 * [  Threads ](https://brianejohns.com/2015/08/05/blog-slap-off-pull-off-in-filipino-martial-arts/?share=threads)
 * [  WhatsApp ](https://brianejohns.com/2015/08/05/blog-slap-off-pull-off-in-filipino-martial-arts/?share=jetpack-whatsapp)
 * [  Email ](https://brianejohns.com/2015/08/05/blog-slap-off-pull-off-in-filipino-martial-arts/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Slap%20off%2FPull%20Off%20in%20Filipino%20Martial%20Arts&body=https%3A%2F%2Fbrianejohns.com%2F2015%2F08%2F05%2Fblog-slap-off-pull-off-in-filipino-martial-arts%2F&share=email)
 * [  Print ](https://brianejohns.com/2015/08/05/blog-slap-off-pull-off-in-filipino-martial-arts/#print?share=print)

### Like this:

Like Loading…

### _Related_