Atienza Kali Training Group Session: Aug 2014

We had a good time at the AK (Atienza Kali) training session with Guro Leo Manalo. Hosted by Guro Joey Marana of Maharlika Martial Arts. We talked a little before the training and caught up with everyone again. It was good to see Guro Dr Bob in the mix as well.

We first reviewed Bolo Evo 1 in the beginning. Then, we learned a new application with the knife vs bolo. Very hard to describe the feeling of almost getting hit by the bolo. I had to learn to close in before the bolo-feeder had time to react. After that, we got to experience some RCE's. Very cool way to train your drills. It's not really sparring or drilling or exercising... but you are doing all of them at the same period of time. After that workout, I was panting for air. Luckily, we had to break for lunch.

After a hearty meal, Guro Leo geared up with his armor and said that each one of us had to go through RCE's and apply what we learned in the Bolo Evo 1. This exercise was going to test our skills. We ran it three times. By my third round, my technique was sloppy and was barely getting my shots in. At least, I think I deflected or passed most of Guro Leo's attacks. But maybe it was my lack of oxygen to my brain telling me that?

Archery was our next training. Practiced shooting with a bow. Then, we trained drawing our bolo after shooting an arrow. Team's of two tactic's and maneuvering. Although, no one seriously got hurt. One of the guys had to sit out because he got a big hematoma from the recoil of the bow's string.

In the end, we all had a good time. We learned some new ways to install our drills and get exercise. Team tactics with bow and blade manipulation.

Atienza Kali Seminar

We had a great training session with Tuhon Carl Atienza. He went over some combat analysis drills with us. I got hit in the head a few more times than I wanted. I need to focus on moving better when in the forced feed drill. Movement is the key here. As Feeder moves forward, I have to move away. Also, moving my head like a boxer helps too.

Next, we tried forcing the anchor and retreating. This drill required quickness and balance. I had a better time moving this time. I wasn't getting hit in the head that much but my hand were nice and red. The last part of the seminar we entered in and hit the attack before it got momentum.

After having a good time training, we went out to eat some good Korean BBQ at Honey Pig in Ellicott City, Md.   

Training @ Maharlika Martial Arts: June 5, 2012

Tonight Guro Bob went over Atienza Kali Bolo evolution 1. It was a nice refresher before the upcoming seminar with Tuhon Carl Atienza. A video from Sayoc NorCal shows the flow of the drill. Hopefully, I'll get some pictures if my phone camera doesn't act up.

Atienza Kali Drill by Sayoc NorCal

This is a cool video that was made by Guro John Perrings of Sayoc Norcal school in Oakland, Ca. I like how he shares some of AK's training methods. 

Training @ Maharlika Martial Arts: May 22

Tonight, Guro Bob had us partner up to work on our Atienza Kali long blade techniques. One training partner held out their stick while the other tried to hit it using long slashes. For those of you don't know, long slashes are chambered from the shoulder up. Short slashes are from the shoulder down. After a few tries of not hitting the stick, we tried short slashes. Once we were hitting the stick consistently, we backed up about a step and tried to hit the stick again.

We then tried hitting the hand while the receiver would move his hand away. We then progressed the drill to light sparring (only hitting the hand/arm).

I think all of us had a good time. Some of the guys got accidently hit in the gonads so I think they had a different perspective of the class.

On a side note, I wanted to mention Guro Bob is hosting Tuhon Carl Atienza on June 9, 2012 (Saturday evening training). Please contact Guro Bob Shin for more details: bobshin (at) gmail.com. I believe the materials covered will be Combat Analysis/Stategy session for long blade/stick.

History Timeline: Sayoc Kali, "All Blade-All the Time"

I have always liked reading about the history of different Martial Arts and how they became great. For example, the start of Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has always intrigued me, as well as, Wing Chun's history and the birth of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do with Bruce Lee. I also like reading about Kajukenbo.

There are different systems that make up Filipino Martial Arts (fma). Each founder/master has their own flavor/style of sharing their expression of the blade or stick. I've read the history of Bahala Na's start with Grandmaster Leo Giron, a great warrior named Tatang Bo with Ilustrisimo Kali (escrima), Modern Arnis with Grandmaster Remy Presas, and GM Floro Villabrille with Villabrille-Largusa Kali system. More recently, I've been reading about the Atienza Kali family system which has evolved in New York City. Sayoc La has a good article about AK's history (scroll down to Atienza kali/escrima on the website).

There are many more fma's out there that I could list, but these are just a few that I liked reading about.

This leads me to the present. This article is a very insightful look into the timeline and history of Sayoc Kali. It's a very interesting read. In my opinion, this is a great look into Pamana Tuhon Chris Sayoc's life and how Sayoc Kali started. It also explains how the term 'Tuhon' came into use. Just check it out, I'm sure you'll find it interesting.

Review: Atienza Kali (AK) training at Maharlika Martial Arts Oct. 30

Tuhon Carl Atienza started class with an introduction to the design of their shoulder rig and back rig due to their experience growing up in NYC. He shared reasons why the training rig are set up the way they are. He got us thinking about riots and how we would react in those situations. Discussed what weapons could be used for each range from projectile to closing in.

We went over some techniques that could be used against a mass attack. Discussed which targeting areas would be available if someone was armored (chest, helmet).

Drilled tactics with two different scenarios: 2-men chasing and/or 3-men waiting for you. 

Finished up with combat analysis. Guro Bob against me. No contest. . . Guro Bob has more arsenal than me. Tuhon Carl asked what fighter types could be seen while we were sparring with the smak-sticks. AK has about 12 fighter type's that can be defined as of today. Each fighter type has pros and cons. There's certain things that each fighter does that distinguishes him from his opponent. For example, you can tell a wrestler from a kickboxer (striker) or bjj from a wrestler. Certain movements can be assumed how that person will continue to attack or fall back when stressed.

In conclusion, I had a great time at this training session. AK shed's a different light into blade tactics and mass attack tactics. It's still considered a new FMA relative to those who have been in the world like Modern Arnis or Doce Pares. Not many people know about AK now, but I think it's popularity will continue to grow.

Atienza Kali Seminar at Maharlika Martial Arts

A lot of good information in this seminar.  Evolution 1 Bolo with feeder 1 and feeder 2 drills.  Explanation of force anchor (press, stand, pull).  Discussed different fighter types and how to tell from the footwork and body stance.  Discussion of footwork in relation to mass attack.  Many other types of training drills to aide in force-anchor attacks/counters.  This was a really good seminar with a lot of information.   If you ever get a chance to attend a Atienza kali seminar, you should go.  You will learn a lot of good techniques and tactics for the bolo/machete.