# The Most Dangerous Angles in FMAs

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2015/08/26/blog-the-most-dangerous-angles-in-filipino-martial-arts/
- Published: 2015-08-26T13:09:00-04:00
- Author: Brian Johns

This post will discuss the most dangerous angles in Filipino Martial Arts to defend
against.

## Not discussed in this post are the difficulties of defending against some “traditional” striking styles, such as banda y banda, abanico double action, double zero, etc.

The focus is on the [angles of attack](https://brianejohns.com/2015/08/10/blog-angles-of-attack-in-filipino-martial-arts/).

With one exception, the most dangerous angles in Filipino Martial Arts to defend
against are the **thrusts**. And no, I’m not talking about Master Ken’s “[Thrust of Freedom](https://youtu.be/DTQXYeTV7a8).”
🙂

Much has to do with the ability or inability to see the attacks.

![](https://i2.wp.com/bamboospiritmartialarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Angle-
1-and-2.png?fit=1024%2C819&ssl=1)

Angles 1 through 4

### Angles 1 through 4 are, relatively speaking, _**more telegraphic**_ than the thrusting angles. They are not as dangerous as the thrusts.

In addition, these angles are executed with a slashing motion instead of a more 
linear motion like the thrusts. Due to this lack of linearity, defending against
angles 1 through 4 is often easier than defending against angles 5, 6, 7, 10, and
11.

This is not to say that defending against the first four angles is easy. **_One 
may run into someone fast, have excellent efficiency of motion, and utilize broken
rhythm, distractions, and timing to his/her advantage._**

![](https://i0.wp.com/bamboospiritmartialarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Thrusting-
Angles.png?fit=1024%2C819&ssl=1)

These can represent Angles 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11.

Generally speaking, it’s much more difficult to defend against the _**thrusting 
angles**_ for two reasons:

 1. the linearity of the thrusts makes it likely the cane will reach the target much
    quicker than angles 1 through 4; and
 2.  thrusts are much more difficult to spot.

Look at the above photos of angles 6, 7, 10, and 11. [You see much less of the cane](https://brianejohns.com/2015/07/28/blog-fix-it-friday-take-a-stab/),
making it more difficult to defend against. This is true,_** especially if those
angles are thrust upwards from the hip. Very, very difficult to read.**_

In the context of lighting fast tapi tapi, thrusts are even more challenging to 
defend against, as illustrated by the below video of Master of Tapi Tapi Chuck Gauss.
He illustrates how effective the [#5 thrust](https://brianejohns.com/2015/08/25/blog-fix-it-friday-which-way/)
can be in tapi tapi.

## Do you emphasize the combative aspects of the thrusts, instructors? Let’s hear your responses!

## Additional Reading

 * [Angles of Attack in Filipino Martial Arts](https://brianejohns.com/2015/08/10/blog-angles-of-attack-in-filipino-martial-arts/)
 * [Rude, Reckless, and Dangerous.](https://brianejohns.com/2021/11/22/rude-reckless-and-dangerous/)
 * [Fix It Friday: Which Way?](https://brianejohns.com/2015/08/25/blog-fix-it-friday-which-way/)
 * [Banda y Banda](https://brianejohns.com/2019/10/28/blog-banda-y-banda/)
 * [5 Effective Ways To Practice Double Sinawali](https://brianejohns.com/2015/07/29/blog-5-effective-ways-to-practice-double-sinawali/)

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