FightHounds

This week, in a slight departure from the norm, guest writer Harry Minogue demonstrates techniques from Filipino and Asian Martial arts. Harry is a second degree brown belt in kung-fu and also a qualified Bahad-Zubu Kali instructor. 

Part one:

Elbow techniques in Filipino Eskrima and Kali
Elbow techniques are often prized as serious fight finishing techniques and they can inflict quite a lot of damage either by the concussive force (often compared to getting hit by a baseball bat) or by the elbows edge, which has often cut many a MMA and Thai-Boxers eyelid/forehead open.

Over the coming articles I intend to examine and delve deeper into the fundamentals and finer aspects of achieving effective elbow technique. Hopefully these articles will give a few “seasoned” MMA and other Martial artists interested in “Cross-Training or Fusion Martial arts” a couple of more tricks for their bag. These techniques can also allow for an MMA fighter to adapt his striking techniques to make them significantly more “street savvy” and functional when dealing with street-attacks.

The Filipino martial arts including Eskrima, Arnis and Kali are all primarily weapon’s based systems with the main focus being on the use of stick, double weapon methods, blades, swords and short-knives. In most of these systems, the empty-hands curriculum is based on movements derived from the weapons arts so as not to waste valuable training time.
Likewise, it allows the practitioner to be adaptable and universal with his techniques as there are a wide variety of cross-over movements which require little or no adjustment. For further personal research Filipino empty-hand techniques often goes by various names such as Pangamut, Panantukan (dirty boxing), Sikaran or Pananjakman (low-line kicking).
The Arts covered in this article include Bahad Zubu Bunga Santaku Kali, Corpus-Christi Eskrima and Floro-Fighting systems.

Tech 1- The Spike.

This move is derived from Corpus-Christi Eskrima and was a move developed by my first and long time Eskrima teacher Master Pj Bennis (RIP). It involves and outside forearm parry, followed by a downward trap with the other hand leading to the elbow being brought forward in a “Battering Ram” type of motion to spike the opponent’s nose/eye/cheek-bone. The neck can then be trapped or clinched to deliver multiple close quarter elbow strikes.
Other alternatives are “Greasing” or “Jones’ing” which are both wrestling terms which involves the rubbing of the elbow into soft areas of the opponent, when grappling; However, when done in a stand-up position this can be accomplished by the clinch or trapping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tech 2- Limb and Joint Destructions off a Jab, Cross or Hook.

One of the hallmarks of Filipino martial arts is the “destruction of the attacking limb/weapon bearing hand”, also known as the principle of “defanging the snake” (i.e. once the snakes fangs are taken he can no longer hurt you). The basic premise is that the opponent damages his wrist or fist by his own strike impacting on the jarring force of a hard elbow.

2a) Off a Jab.

Here the jab is “caught” and slightly pulled forward to be met with an upper elbow-shot or if you can time it, to allow the jab’s force to directly land on the elbow. The impact force is magnified and will either damage or crack the wrist bones.

Pic 1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2b) Off a Cross.
Here the cross is “caught” by a parry and slightly pulled forward to be met with a side elbow-shot with the aim to damage the attacking wrist/hand. Timing is essential to pull this technique off.

 

 

 

 

 

2c) Off a Hook

In the hook a hook is thrown to the head and is met with a muscle destruction by hitting the inside bicep with an upward elbow shot, another good target is the point just behind the elbow near to the funny-bone. A follow-up would be a pop up or reverse elbow to the jaw. Here we demonstrate a drag to an upward elbow crank. A side head-butt can be applied from this position or it can be used as an entry to clinch-work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ba’had Zu’Bu Bungga Santaku
Bunga Santaku or “the last chance” is a signature move of the Ba’had Zu’bu Kali system created by Grandmaster Epifanio “Yul” Romo. This system does not use straight attacks and raw force, but instead it is fully based on counter-reactions on opponent’s attack in combination with the use of subtle use of various angles of attack and weapon disarms. The system is a synthesis of filipino arts derived from GM Yul’s personal experiences in Gokosha, Balintawak, Borinaga Eskrima , Repigada-Pigada and the revered art of Kalis Ilustrisimo made famous by the deceased GM Antonio “Tatang” Ilustrisimo.

Bunga Santaku, is a rolling use of the elbow, and “the last chance” refers to a defensive maneuvere to deflect a knife or a strike in close quarters. In the following scenarios it is seen as a downward parry, a deflective strike and as a direct striking tool.

Example 1) Bunga Santaku
From a grab following with a knife set-up to stab, Guro Crkon slides in with an elbow strike to chest and a monitoring movement with the other hand. With forward pressure Guro Crkon enters, passes the weapon bearing limb, pressing down then with a hard elbow joint lock. The sequence finishes by an elbow to the head and a disarm of the weapon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Example 2) Bunga Santaku.
Here both opponents face off with knives ready. The opponent (author) on right attacks forward, the knife is parried with the defender (Guro Crkon) on the left open hand and simultaneous elbow blow is made to the attacker’s jaw/skull with the right arm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Example 2 Empty-hand variation ) Bunga Santaku
In this alternate version. The opponent on right attacks forward, the knife is parried with the defender on the open right hand, this is then circled inwards to “clamp” or restrain the weapon bearing limb; then a hard elbow is made to the attackers side of neck, this can then be followed on with a downward elbow for a takedown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floro Fighting Systems (FFS)

Floro Fighting Systems is a system of Edged Weapon combat and defence, developed by Raymond Floro a champion fencer and expert in Filipino martial arts. It is an artthat is not only simple to learn, but is one of the most effective systems of self defence available today.

Efficient, direct and immediate, FFS is one of the very few styles that is still based on the blade, and is used by civilians and members of the military, and law enforcement agencies worldwide.
In the following examples, the elbow is FFS can be used to great effect.

Example A) Deflect an oncoming direct attack with a knife.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Example B) Be used after a parry as a direct striking tool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Example C) Used as fulcrum to clamp the weapon attackers hand momentarily to prevent further attacks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The idea of “return to sender”

The final sequence demonstrates the idea of return to sender in the Filipino martial arts whereby the attackers own weapon is used against him. In this sequence the attacker Guro Crkon attacks with the thrust, the author then “hollows out” (steps out of way and arcs back to prevent stomach being stabbed) while at the same the time the author parries the knife hand. This is then countered by bending the attackers hand and using the force of the elbows to collapse the attackers arm while simultaneously feeding the knife back to the attacker where in effect he stabs himself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed this brief introduction to the use of the elbow in the Filipino martial arts and hope it will inspire you to investigate further these revered warrior arts of the Phillipines.

I would like to personally thank Dalubhasang Guro (advanced instructor) Michal “Miso” Crkon for his time and patience taking the photos. (Michal Crkon is a highly qualified instructor in both Bahad Zubu Kali and Floro fighting systems).

Credit: Harry Minogue. 

Advertise on Fight Hounds.

Lessons are available in the Limerick or Munster area.

For further information on these Filipino Combat arts check out the links below.

Bahad Zubu Ireland

http://www.bahadzubuireland.com/

Bahad Zubu Headquarters

http://www.bahadzubughq.com/

Floro Fighting systems

http://www.florofightingsystems.com/

Corpus Christi Eskrima facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/321420901215951/

DISCLAIMER: This article is information purposes only. DO NOT PRATICE OR ATTEMPT THESE TECNIQUES UNLESS UNDER THE STRICT SUPERVISON OF A QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR. Neither the author nor the publisher has any responsibility for injuries that you or anyone else might incur attempting these techniques.