with Roberto Torres, available through Unique Publications. This is 3 of a 4 volume series on Kalasag Kuntao Silat is by Roberto Torres, head of Vee Arnis Jutsu Te style (1 of 3) under the late Grandmaster Florendo Visatacion, an amateur boxing coach, and moderator of MMA.TV's boxing forum. BTW, Torres has a boxing tape available through his site, http://www.perisaisetia.com which I heard may be discontinued. It also should be noted, Torres is a student primarily of Grandmasters Visatacion and Willem DeThouars.
I'd like to say right now that this isn't really for beginners for a few reasons. This tape is heavy on Silat History and Kuntao Silat terminology mostly in Filpino Tagalog/Pilipino. The viewer should probably watch the tape again just to get familiar with some of the terms not explained. (BTW, "dahan-dahan" means slow or slowly)
If you watch most of the tapes, you'll probably be able to count in Tagalog. Lol The basic footwork patterns are made up of complex foot movements and the hand techniques are concept based. There are some subtle theories on footwork, imbalancing, and generating power. Also keep in mind, the material is a synthesis of three different styles from China, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Tape 1/Basics BD (59 min)
Intro
Balangkas (Stepping form)
Kalasag Kamay (Shielding Hand)
Salag (Blocks)
Tulay Kamay (Bridge Hand)
Sikaran (Kicking)
Balangkas Sikaran (Kicking Form)
Laban Kamay (Fighting Hand)
Balangkas Hakbang Anim (Stepping Form #6)
Conclusion
I'm going to use the English terms for each section's contents now so bear with me. Stepping form has 5 footwork patterns comprised of small movements but are largely X, crossing, and zig zag patterns. Shielding Hand/Circular hand motions is about covering from blows and 5 elbow locks/breaks. Blocks is a series of 5 defenses based on the Kuntao Silat salute and on the X Pattern/diagonal lines. Mostly done on the outside, Torres includes a leg/shin disruption and Silat's version of Centerline theory. Bridge Hand has 10 techniques similar to Wing Chun but with more circular actions.
Kicking has 6 kicks (snap, scoop, death/groin, low side kick, inverted, pulling) and Kicking Form shows applications against punches and training tips. Fighting Hand starts off as an arm conditioning and footwork drill then gets into 7 defenses against punches and kicks. There's little tidbits like the Bagua influence in Silat and similar moves shown by K. Worden and M. MacYoung. Stepping Form #6 is another partner footwork drill that can be taken into sparring, the same type of drill can be seen on some of Eddie Jafri's tapes. The Conclusion ends with a free flow/multiple opponent drill with Torres defending against his assistants.
This is one of Unique's older tape series, so it's not as slick as today's tapes. Overall production quality is good, minimal replay on here. The content can be a bit much for the real beginners, I'd say this is for the hardcore Silat folks.
________
Tape 2/Sayaws BD (59 min)
Sayaws 1-15 and Applications
Free form drill
Firstly, some terms; Sayaw (Forms or Dance) and Gamit (application)
Torres and D. Tierney work this tape on forms and applications, with each form starting with movements from the Form #1.
Form #1 is 5 defenses against punches, hammerfists, application of the Silat spear/wedge, and a free form drill. Form #2 and #3 show defenses against the 1-2 punch combo and the cross and introduce finishing kicks. Form #4 and #5 get into takedowns, whiplash throws, and puter kepala from the outside. Form #6 shows Monkey movements (ducking, spinning, and stomping) #7 shows more spiraling throws, #8 windmill/nerve hits and an outside throw. Form #9 shows the kabad/"bat" strike, slipping, parrying, uppercuts and a knee break. Form #10 shows uprooting and elbow shields, #11 retreating and spinning sweeps, #12 puter kepala and hammerfist, #13-14 gunting and sweeping, stomping, fighting multiple opponents/spinning shield. Form #15 shows more elbow breaking, puter kepala, and kicks.
Each form is done once actual speed, then slow mo from the front and side. Torres states the applications are always done slow and forms done fast, I'm assuming till one gets better. Some complex moves here, I liked watching #11-#15, wicked stuff if you can pull them off. Interesting to note, this style isn't too big on having a certain guard positions and faking.
_______
Tape 3/Buno BD (46 min)
Same #1 intro,
Review of Basics
Grappling Principles
Foot Traps
Walong Dakong (8 Direction Throwing)
Tatsulok Buno (Triangle Throwing)
Hagis (Throwing)
Conclusion
Firstly, this is STAND UP grappling with some clinch work. According to Torres, Dumog is a rougher style of wrestling where Buno is more about flowing throws. H. Williams is the fall guy for this one and he falls a lot in this tape about imbalancing and throwing. The Intro is the same as in Tape #1 and there's a review of the basics.
Grappling Principles is packed with concepts; Buno vs Dumog (to flow vs to crowd), Balance study (partner drills, imbalancing the BG in mid motion, where to block/cause balance shift), Muscle structure study (elbow/shoulder targeting) Gumara/jamming (inside jam and diagonal line blocking, leg jams) "move head/move foot" theory, 2 ways of throwing.
Foot Traps has 3 drills (solo and partner) and adding other techniques with foot traps. 8 Direction Throwing builds on Foot Traps and includes Vortex Throwing () and throwing by hitting. Triangle Throwing is similar to the Kali Thrusting Triangle, here the body is targeted imaginary triangles representing the areas to start a throw by jerking against the body. Face, shoulder, hip, knee checking is also included in this section. Throwing starts with the common underarm wrestling clinch and covers 6 throws/pulls/drags (3 have variations).
Grappling Principles and Throwing were the most interesting, I liked the latter a bit more. Sport grapplers will understand just about everything on the tape especially Throwing. Intermediate and advanced traditional folks will catch on pretty quick too.
_________
Tape #4 Weapons sorry I don't have it but the training weapons in that
tape were provided by Tom Kier. Hmm, wonder who's that?
_______________________________________________
The preceding review does not reflect the views of the owner of this site. As always, books and/or videos are not a substitute for
actual hands on instruction by a certified instructor.
I'd like to say right now that this isn't really for beginners for a few reasons. This tape is heavy on Silat History and Kuntao Silat terminology mostly in Filpino Tagalog/Pilipino. The viewer should probably watch the tape again just to get familiar with some of the terms not explained. (BTW, "dahan-dahan" means slow or slowly)
If you watch most of the tapes, you'll probably be able to count in Tagalog. Lol The basic footwork patterns are made up of complex foot movements and the hand techniques are concept based. There are some subtle theories on footwork, imbalancing, and generating power. Also keep in mind, the material is a synthesis of three different styles from China, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Tape 1/Basics BD (59 min)
Intro
Balangkas (Stepping form)
Kalasag Kamay (Shielding Hand)
Salag (Blocks)
Tulay Kamay (Bridge Hand)
Sikaran (Kicking)
Balangkas Sikaran (Kicking Form)
Laban Kamay (Fighting Hand)
Balangkas Hakbang Anim (Stepping Form #6)
Conclusion
I'm going to use the English terms for each section's contents now so bear with me. Stepping form has 5 footwork patterns comprised of small movements but are largely X, crossing, and zig zag patterns. Shielding Hand/Circular hand motions is about covering from blows and 5 elbow locks/breaks. Blocks is a series of 5 defenses based on the Kuntao Silat salute and on the X Pattern/diagonal lines. Mostly done on the outside, Torres includes a leg/shin disruption and Silat's version of Centerline theory. Bridge Hand has 10 techniques similar to Wing Chun but with more circular actions.
Kicking has 6 kicks (snap, scoop, death/groin, low side kick, inverted, pulling) and Kicking Form shows applications against punches and training tips. Fighting Hand starts off as an arm conditioning and footwork drill then gets into 7 defenses against punches and kicks. There's little tidbits like the Bagua influence in Silat and similar moves shown by K. Worden and M. MacYoung. Stepping Form #6 is another partner footwork drill that can be taken into sparring, the same type of drill can be seen on some of Eddie Jafri's tapes. The Conclusion ends with a free flow/multiple opponent drill with Torres defending against his assistants.
This is one of Unique's older tape series, so it's not as slick as today's tapes. Overall production quality is good, minimal replay on here. The content can be a bit much for the real beginners, I'd say this is for the hardcore Silat folks.
________
Tape 2/Sayaws BD (59 min)
Sayaws 1-15 and Applications
Free form drill
Firstly, some terms; Sayaw (Forms or Dance) and Gamit (application)
Torres and D. Tierney work this tape on forms and applications, with each form starting with movements from the Form #1.
Form #1 is 5 defenses against punches, hammerfists, application of the Silat spear/wedge, and a free form drill. Form #2 and #3 show defenses against the 1-2 punch combo and the cross and introduce finishing kicks. Form #4 and #5 get into takedowns, whiplash throws, and puter kepala from the outside. Form #6 shows Monkey movements (ducking, spinning, and stomping) #7 shows more spiraling throws, #8 windmill/nerve hits and an outside throw. Form #9 shows the kabad/"bat" strike, slipping, parrying, uppercuts and a knee break. Form #10 shows uprooting and elbow shields, #11 retreating and spinning sweeps, #12 puter kepala and hammerfist, #13-14 gunting and sweeping, stomping, fighting multiple opponents/spinning shield. Form #15 shows more elbow breaking, puter kepala, and kicks.
Each form is done once actual speed, then slow mo from the front and side. Torres states the applications are always done slow and forms done fast, I'm assuming till one gets better. Some complex moves here, I liked watching #11-#15, wicked stuff if you can pull them off. Interesting to note, this style isn't too big on having a certain guard positions and faking.
_______
Tape 3/Buno BD (46 min)
Same #1 intro,
Review of Basics
Grappling Principles
Foot Traps
Walong Dakong (8 Direction Throwing)
Tatsulok Buno (Triangle Throwing)
Hagis (Throwing)
Conclusion
Firstly, this is STAND UP grappling with some clinch work. According to Torres, Dumog is a rougher style of wrestling where Buno is more about flowing throws. H. Williams is the fall guy for this one and he falls a lot in this tape about imbalancing and throwing. The Intro is the same as in Tape #1 and there's a review of the basics.
Grappling Principles is packed with concepts; Buno vs Dumog (to flow vs to crowd), Balance study (partner drills, imbalancing the BG in mid motion, where to block/cause balance shift), Muscle structure study (elbow/shoulder targeting) Gumara/jamming (inside jam and diagonal line blocking, leg jams) "move head/move foot" theory, 2 ways of throwing.
Foot Traps has 3 drills (solo and partner) and adding other techniques with foot traps. 8 Direction Throwing builds on Foot Traps and includes Vortex Throwing () and throwing by hitting. Triangle Throwing is similar to the Kali Thrusting Triangle, here the body is targeted imaginary triangles representing the areas to start a throw by jerking against the body. Face, shoulder, hip, knee checking is also included in this section. Throwing starts with the common underarm wrestling clinch and covers 6 throws/pulls/drags (3 have variations).
Grappling Principles and Throwing were the most interesting, I liked the latter a bit more. Sport grapplers will understand just about everything on the tape especially Throwing. Intermediate and advanced traditional folks will catch on pretty quick too.
_________
Tape #4 Weapons sorry I don't have it but the training weapons in that
tape were provided by Tom Kier. Hmm, wonder who's that?
_______________________________________________
The preceding review does not reflect the views of the owner of this site. As always, books and/or videos are not a substitute for
actual hands on instruction by a certified instructor.