# Amazing Palis Palis Drill! - Link: https://brianejohns.com/2021/02/15/blog-amazing-palis-palis-drill/ - Published: 2021-02-15T10:30:00-05:00 - Author: Brian Johns Estimated reading time: 3 minutes ## **Let’s face it. Drills are a heck of a lot of fun!** In my opinion, flow drills are a step up from the one-step method. Don’t get me wrong, the one-step method is a great way to learn the building blocks of a martial art. Once you have the foundation of a concept, we can build on the conceptual skill set through flow drills. ## Now, the topic of this post is _󠀁[palis palis](https://brianejohns.com/2025/03/17/video-of-the-week-32-left-hand-high-palis-palis/)󠁿_. First, what is “_palis palis?_” It means to sweep or brush away the opponent’s force. To do this, I redirect the opponent’s energy both with my stick and my check hand. Notice how I swept Alex’s stick to the other side? This is not a force-on-force technique. Rather, I am redirecting his force to end up on his outside line, from which I can execute various techniques. This is an excellent example of a [one-step technique](https://brianejohns.com//2016/03/21/blog-3-great-reasons-for-one-step-sparring/). Many of us have done this technique against angle 1 as well as angle 2. Here’s what the angle 2 version of _palis palis_ looks like. Again, note how I redirected Alex’s force to put me in a positional advantage. But how many of us have gone beyond the one-step version to combining angles 1 and 2 into a drill?  Fast forward to the 0:56 mark of the video below to see what I mean. If you are not able to view the video, click [here](https://youtu.be/RpmqlZ7VvQg). What is the purpose of this drill? _“What if you lose control of the angle 1 palis palis technique? And the training partner pulls away and winds up for an angle 2 attack?”_ ## Well, you better be ready for the angle 2 attack. Not everyone will comply with your angle 1 technique. If I felt someone attempting _palis palis_ on me, I would immediately counter by pulling my cane out of my training partner’s check hand grip. Therefore, it would behoove you to have a backup plan if your training partner counters you in this manner. Hence, the reason for the above drill. Besides, it’s a lot of fun and keeps you on your toes! ## **Shhhhh, I have a tip to prevent your training partner from countering you: as soon as you do the angle 1 palis palis, _immediately_ do the #5 thrust to his abdomen. ** This may prevent your training partner from countering your _[palis palis](https://brianejohns.com/2021/02/22/blog-low-high-palis-palis/)_ and executing the angle 2 follow-up attack. Always keep them busy by being proactive! And for those wondering how this concept translates to empty hands, see this brief clip. To view the entire video, go [here](https://youtu.be/tN2QDMUltcM). To read more on translating weapons movements to empty hands, go [here](https://youtu.be/wppKkaIaW7o). In summary, _palis palis_ is a means of redirecting your training partner’s energy or force so that you position yourself in a favorable zone. This concept is easy to learn but difficult to master. I’m not yet satisfied with my _palis palis _execution compared to how Professor Presas was doing it shortly before his passing. Man, talk about beauty and efficiency! ## It is one of the significant parts of Modern Arnis but the most challenging to perfect. Practice _palis palis_ as much as you can! ## Additional Reading * [Low High Palis Palis](https://brianejohns.com/2021/02/22/blog-low-high-palis-palis/) * [Which Technique Is Best?](https://brianejohns.com/2020/01/20/blog-which-technique-is-best/) * [Review of Master Chuck’s “Combat 2 vs. 1 ” DVD](https://brianejohns.com/2012/07/17/blog-review-of-master-chucks-combat-2-vs-1-dvd/) * [3 Great Reasons For One Step Sparring](https://brianejohns.com/2016/03/21/blog-3-great-reasons-for-one-step-sparring/) * [5 Problems With One Step Sparring](https://brianejohns.com/2016/03/23/blog-5-problems-with-one-step-sparring/) ### Share this post: * [ X ](https://brianejohns.com/2021/02/15/blog-amazing-palis-palis-drill/?share=twitter) * [ Facebook ](https://brianejohns.com/2021/02/15/blog-amazing-palis-palis-drill/?share=facebook) * [ LinkedIn ](https://brianejohns.com/2021/02/15/blog-amazing-palis-palis-drill/?share=linkedin) * [ Threads ](https://brianejohns.com/2021/02/15/blog-amazing-palis-palis-drill/?share=threads) * [ WhatsApp ](https://brianejohns.com/2021/02/15/blog-amazing-palis-palis-drill/?share=jetpack-whatsapp) * [ Email ](https://brianejohns.com/2021/02/15/blog-amazing-palis-palis-drill/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Amazing%20Palis%20Palis%20Drill%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fbrianejohns.com%2F2021%2F02%2F15%2Fblog-amazing-palis-palis-drill%2F&share=email) * [ Print ](https://brianejohns.com/2021/02/15/blog-amazing-palis-palis-drill/#print?share=print) ### Like this: Like Loading… ### _Related_