12 Strikes in Modern Arnis

S

stdalire

Joined
Sep 8, 1999
Messages
120

In modern arnis we have 12 strikes to the body. Can we not reduce this into 6 effective strikes or may be lesser number?

I am studying the 12 strikes and it looks impossible to execute them all effectively in a few seconds of fighting.

In actual fight I think a strike on either to the left and right temple or lef or right side of the body or one to the feet and one to the abdomen is already enough to incapacitate a person. To sum it all I think even one strike to any of the temple side will knock down a person.

If we want to kill, we can strike to the temple, or if we want to cripple we will strike only to the feet to stop the fight. If we want to dammage we can strike any of the eyes.

Studying a martial arts is not just for the sake of reapeating what is being taught but to study the weakness and effectiveness also of each techniques it can offer.

Whats your comments on the 12 strikes of modern arnis.
 
Why would you want to use all 12 strikes in a real fight? The 12 strikes give you choices. I don't think we learn the 12 strikes so that in a "real" fight we go through all of them on a person. If strikes #1 and #2(to the left & right temples) work, the fight should be over. If you keep on striking, you better know how to disappear, because the cops will be looking for you! :-)

Just my humble opinion...


------------------
K. Williams
kel620@aol.com
Modern Arnis Student
 
I don't study Arnis, but the 12 strike theory is relevant to other weapons as well (nunchaku,etc)

I agree with K Williams: the 12 strikes are not meant to be a 12 strike combination to your opponnent, but merely a guide for what flows from one technique to another. If you only know 4-5 techniques, what happens if your situation doesn't allow you the chance to use those? Are all techniques equally effective? No. But I still want the option of executing it if I need to.

Try taking the 12 strikes and combining them out of order (#1 and then #4 for ex.) See which ones flow well together.

Depending on the situation, I would say that all the techniques can be very nasty, but in general, anything that is coming downward (ie using gravity) will be the most effective, assuming it lands.

...tm
 
Disregard.

[This message has been edited by jrf (edited 18 December 1999).]
 
Greetings to Everyone:
Thanks for the good points and reminder you've raised out.

K Williams, it makes sense in saying that if we only need 1 or 2 to stop the fight then that is enough. TomMarker, you're right that the 12 srikes combination are merely guide and its up to us which one we chooose from it in actual fight. Either any of the #'s in sequence can be used.

jrf: I like much the way you analyze the 12 strikes, reducing into fewer numbers you think more practical and applicable. Simplicity and basics counts a lot and not a confusing factors to a practitioner. Getting into to much of many techniques lead confusion, rather then being a master in few one.

To my own opinion, the 12 strikes is only good to master if use in demonstration, the participants must really knows the flows so that there is Rhythm in the exchanges of thrusts or strikes. For if not memorize by the player then then there is no tempo in striking one another.

Now, in using the blocking techniques in Arnis. If we take it in actual meeting of blade to blade. It looks not practical if we meet force by force. I would select or choose not to meet force by force (blade to blade)but instead I will just strike or cut the hand of the opponent holding the knife, than that will finish the fight if I am really in a true fight.

In Arnis, if we replace the burnth rattan into a real blade, I think this is one among the best of the ultimate martial arts in killing or incapacitating a person. Thus, true arnis is not considered much as an sports for me but it is for actual fight.

In sparring, a novice in arnis cannot exchange true forceful strikes and you cannot just strike your sparring mate in any place you want as free style.

Just my opinion.
 
Disregard.


[This message has been edited by jrf (edited 18 December 1999).]
 
We train to go to the hand also, but when doing regular drills we hit each other's sticks. When we put on the gear we use strikes to the hand. It's a good learning experience too. During one fight, I kept my live hand out a little too long, and received a very hard hit to the finger through the hockey gloves. The nail/finger tip went partially black, and was numb for a couple of weeks. Now I try to keep my hand back unless I'm trying to smother a strike at close range. I think hand shots would definitely disarm a person if applied with power and speed.

------------------
K. Williams
kel620@aol.com
Modern Arnis Student


[This message has been edited by K Williams (edited 16 November 1999).]
 
Great responses. Remember that the Single Abecidario, striking with the counters is to allow for the learning of conceptual motions. Within these planes of motions are many "inserts" i.e. techniques that can be used. The conceptual motions then give way to the reality of conceptual usage.
Each systems strikings are based on THAT instructors idea of what is a useful conceptual motion, and it also denotes from where and at what time frame the system originated.
Each striking motion is a moment out of time.
Some use less and encourage you to "see more" others use more and expect you to see the root of it all. From inside to out or outside to in..you make the difference. Within all this is some of the strikings reflect not conceptual motion but CONCEPTUAL USAGE of that particular instructor.It also reflects by targetibg zone which type of weapon was meant to be used. i.e. that sticks are percussive and seek bone, knives are stroking and seek flesh.
The twelve angles for example give you offensive and defensive capibilities... depends on which side one views them!
It gives one the ability to recognize an attacking motion rather than a specific attack by name or implement and most of all. the important paret, it teaches..it is basically ONLY a teaching aid that once ingrained becomes part of muscle memory.. It aids in teaching others for all are on the same page till the page is no longer needed!
When you train with others NEVER forget to ask what their numbering system is IF you ar training set drills with them! It can be funny to dangerous if both are not calling out the same script!!!
smile
again great responses!
Welcome Donna!
 
You bet.. I was dooing a box dril wit the Late Edgar Sulite and as we went in front of the seminar he called out the strikes to add into the drill. As we progressed and the beat picked up it became a flow. He then called out #8..so as i blasted it towards his leg he blocked it while calling out" My #8 NOT yours!"...His LAMECO #8 was a thrust to the chest.. my Modern Arnis #8 was a closed side strike to the knee..
we laughed over it at dinner..
And I do know his and other numbering sysyrems but in the heat of it.well you know..
we resort to what we practice the most!
 
Bram: It reminds me also when I was in college and we had an arnis practice of Ernesto Presas (brother of Remy Presas). I can spar to him flawlessly because whatever number of strikes I'll give to him he can parry it or block, and if he does thrust any nos. of strike to me and it so happen that I am late in parrying he shout no 2 strikes is coming to me and it will automatically registered in my brain to counter that strike. But if I do to others who has lesser exprience than me, it has no tempo.
 
Gads..please pardon my misspelling as I type away here!!! I just re-read my post..
sorry!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top