Slap off/Pull Off in Filipino Martial Arts
In this post, I discuss the slap-off/pull-off* in Filipino martial arts. These moves are also common in other arts. The 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…
Defending Against Angle 12
In this post, I discuss defending against angle 12, which is typically an overhead strike. If you are not able to view this video, click here. The 12 strike is a powerful caveman-type strike. The power comes from two factors: (1) the attacker’s intent; and…
Fix It Friday: Take A Stab!
The concept behind this “Fix It Friday” episode is pretty simple. Any time you have a thrust or a stab coming at you, it is wise to avoid the tip by moving out of the way. Additionally, you can parry the tip. If you are…
How I Teach Filipino Martial Arts to Children
A couple of caveats: This is not about WHAT I teach, or WHY I teach children. This covers HOW I teach Filipino Martial Arts to children, and this post mainly focuses on the 5 to 8-year-old age range. Moreover, I will focus on the technical aspects of teaching children based on…
Fix It Friday: It’s the Stick Buddy!
“It’s the Stick, buddy!” refers to grabbing your opponent’s cane instead of his hand or wrist, as illustrated in the video below. If you are not able to view this video, click here. As pointed out in this video, a common mistake among beginners is…
The Stick
It has been said often that the stick expedites the development of your natural attributes such as speed, power, coordination, timing, reaction speed, perceptual speed, spatial relationships, angle recognition, and footwork. Another benefit of stick training is that punches look slower to the FMA practitioner. How so?…
Your First Filipino Martial Arts Class: What to Expect
This post delves briefly into what to expect in your first class and applies equally to children and adults. For starters, you can expect a hell of a lot of fun! You can expect to start on a fascinating journey through Filipino Martial Arts, which are full…
Fix It Friday: Not Thissss
The “wrong” way to do a snake disarm, as illustrated in the first part of this video, is a common mistake. This kind of disarm tends to pit muscle against muscle. If you are not able to view this video, click here. Why work so hard?…
Get A Move On!
In many private lessons and classes, I have taught over the years, I have noticed that poor footwork will often negate good stick technique. Sub-optimal footwork has reared its head enough that new students are introduced to this topic on day one. I will go through some…
The 5 Benefits of Teaching Private Lessons
“In learning, you will teach. In teaching, you will learn.” – Phil Collins. I have previously discussed reasons to take private lessons and how to get the most out of private lessons. Both of these posts were written from the student’s perspective. Fun reads, weren’t they? In this…
