Thursday, December 10, 2015

Class Notes: Dec 6, 2015

Attendees:
Bryant
Dan
Yonas
Guro Lem

Notes:
Reviewed Transitional Drills 1-5 with Dan and Bryant
Reviewed TD 1 with Yonas and learned TD 2

Switched between teaching and drilling with the guys. Talked about how each drill has a theme and not just individual techniques. Each transitional drill teaches the Feeder or Receiver something new, but each one has a concept or theme that can be learned as a whole. These drills can be learned to be ingrained into muscle memory, but it is meant to orient and feel/see different attacks. The transitional drills can also assist our blade observation skills. By seeing a wide range of attacks that can come from a bladed encounter, we can make a correct response to a knife attack.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Class Notes: Nov 22, 2015

Attendees:
Yonas
Bryant
Dan
Guro Lem

Notes:
 Yonas and Dan reviewed transitonal drill 1.
 Bryant reviewed with Dan TDs 1-5.
 Taught TD6 to Dan and Bryant.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!



Mr. Dan and Mr. Bryant and family.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Class Notes: Nov 15, 2015



Attendees:
Bryant
Yonas
Guro Lem

Notes:
Review 3 of 9 w/tapping, 3 of 9 rh/lh, left defeats right
Installed transitional drill (TD) 6 from Instructors weekend 2015 (winter sama sama)

Heart
Abdominal Aorta
Abdominal Aorta
Kidney
Heart
Lung
Subclavian
BW
Kidney
Heart

During a transition in the drill, one of the guys was having problems with the footwork and kicking. We figured out that he wasn't stepping back with his left leg when passing with his right hand. This gives him time and distance when the blade comes for his subclavian. I remembered when doing 7 count passing drill, Tuhon Tom Kier talked about how to correctly pass the attackers blade without pretending we were the fastest man alive. It's like having his blade hand moving at you at 50mph, you'd have to be twice as fast to catch up to his attack or your getting hit. You'd have to move 100mph to get that attack passed. Three things needed for a good pass to happen correctly. Time (you can bump his attack arm to buy time), distance (angle in or angle out), and technique. It was good to see what happens when the technique isn't working out. Problem solving why and how to make it work is more rewarding than seeing my guys getting it the first time.

Next, we will try getting our cross-tapping stronger and making our forearms harder. Thanks to Guro Matt Campbell for his suggestions on hardening. Also, we will work with Atienza Kali passing with weapons in the future with Bolo Evo 1.

Class Notes: Nov 1, 2015

Attendees:
Yonas
Rich
Guro Lem

Notes:
3 of 9 template rh/lh/both at the same time
3 of 9 left defeats right
7 count passing drill
Counters to reflexive response with two hand grabs

Monday, October 12, 2015

Class Notes: Oct 11, 2015

Attendees:
Dan
Guro Lem
Richard
Yonas


Notes:
Reviewed 3 of 9 template RH
Taught 3 of 9 template LH
3 of 9 w/tapping
Left defeats Right hand
Back to back drill/exercise: Feeder chose 3 predetermined attacks. Receiver tries to correctly tap his attacks. 

Later, we discussed the exercise and what questions they may have, "What should the Receiver try to do if being crowded?" Some answers were to strike back or go into the grappling range. All good answers, but for this exercise it might be hard to do unless we can gear up with protection and mma gloves. But for now, I asked again, "What other answers could you come up with?". Distance to extend the time to react. Also, work on getting better with cross-tapping.

One thing to remember when training. It's just training. It's a time to get better in areas where we are weak. Everyone has a skill set in fighting. It's easy to train our strengths, but we need to train our weaknesses too to get well rounded and better. You'll get cut and messed up, but it's a time to see what works and what doesn't. So when the time comes for us to use it in real life situation, it will be tried with many reps (hopefully with correct technique and responses). So... Find the answers during training!

Class Notes: Oct 4, 2015

Attendees:
Bryant
Guro Lem
Richard (new perspective student)
Yonas

Notes:
3 of 9 template RH
3 of 9 w/tapping
Discussed reactionary gap, Blade passing protocol

Monday, October 5, 2015

Maharlika Martial Arts: Sept 22 & 27, 2015

Sept. 22 - We taught the 5 count passing tonight. Pointers to remember when doing the drill is to remind them to stay close to do the passing. Remember to use head movement when doing counts 1 and 2. Showed the different ranges of the drill.

Sept. 29 - On this evening, we taught the 5 count passing drill but included the them with the combat set. We trained the combat set with counts 1 - 3. These combat sets go into the grappling range for the drill. Hopefully next class we can try getting these into free flow.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Class Notes: Sept. 20, 2015

Attendees: Guro Lem, Dan, Yonas, Bob, Bryant, and Tavon

Class Notes:
Went over Lh template from 3 of 9.
3 of 9 rh and lh template at the same time
3 of 9 w/tapping and with stump hands (no fingers)
Taught TD1

Asked a question to the guys when they would use their left hand as the blade hand? Got good answers from them like: when their right hand is injured and when carrying their baby (although later they changed to carrying their baby on their left hand).

Class Notes: Sept. 13, 2015

Attendence: Guro Lem, Dan, Yonas

Notes:
Worked on 3 of 9 template rh
3 of 9 rh mirror image on left side
3 of 9 w/tapping
Intro to TD1

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Maharlika Martial Arts Class: Sept 1 & 8, 2015

Sept 1 class: We reviewed TD1 no contact during the class. Near the end of class, we had them try pulling off the techniques they learned during flow.

Sept 8 class: This was a little different from the usual classes. Guro Joe C. asked the guys what their worst scenario would look like. Each had a different story. Each had to share what they would do...  how the attack started, and how they ended it? Is there one attacker or multiple attackers? Are they drawing a folder or a fixed blade?

Interesting note that Guro's Joe C and Joe M mentioned was that our guys needed to realize that they needed to think about why we trained all this knife stuff. It's nice to see the guys and learn a few techniques at the same time. But we had to share with them that the main purpose is to get them ready for that fight that might come. Not reacting but responding with a correct mindset and technique. Get them thinking about the worst scenarios in their head and play it out. Thought provocation and visualization is important when class time is over. It's going through the reps in your head to come out alive or saving a loved one.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Maharlika Martial Arts: Aug 18 & 25, 2015

I'm combining both days into this entry. We continued on teaching the no contact isolation for TD1. We tried out a new game for the students. Something to give some pressure. We had them play King of the Hill. It looked like some of them were trying to do the techniques, but it later turned into something else. We worked on trying to get them to think of the techniques, but their attributes later would kick in and take over. Maybe we need to change it up next time. We'll try giving a different pressure/game to test their skills.

The student's liked the class. Hopefully, it didn't scare off some of the student's from the competitiveness of the game. We will see who keeps coming to class in the coming weeks.

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Maharlika Class: Aug 11, 2015

Tonight's class we went of over a new subset of the TD1 - no contact. This time, we taught only the first five to see if the class could retain the techniques better. We will see what happens next week when we continue teaching the drill.

We had the class free-flow and change partners every two minutes. Watched some utilized the technique they learned tonight which was good. Some are still learning to incorporate it into their own flow.

Couldn't free-flow tonight. My shoulder was feeling weak and hurting at the rotator cuff. I will continue to monitor and see how it feels this week. I'll probably get it checked out. Hopefully nothing serious. Then start strengthening it again after some days off from training if all the test are negative.

Great class tonight!!

Focus!

Class Notes: Aug 9, 2015

Attendees:
Lem
Yonas
Bryant

Notes:

Reviewed 2 of 12 template Rh & Lh
Reviewed 3 of 9 template with tapping
Taught TD1 with new revisions
Reviewed pendulum, corckscrew, and shear tapping

Today's class was nice. I got to see how well they could learn the new TD1. Sometimes trying to re-learn something that you've been taught in the past messes with your technique. One guy hasn't seen the old version of TD1, so there was no need to worry about old tendencies. But what I noticed was the student who already new the old version was able to pick up the new TD1 version without too much issues. I guess the muscle memory and familiarity with the way a Sayoc Kali practitioner moves are installed to correctly respond to an attack.

Then, I discussed switches and timers. Also I talked about the reactionary gap.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Maharlika Martial Arts: Aug 4, 2015

Sometimes, we plan to teach something and realize that some of the student's can't remember what we taught last week. This night was one of those times.

We started reviewing and drilling TD1. We were going to teach the next subsets of the TD1 drill, but we realized that they needed to get more drilling reps for TD1. We continued to switch partners and added a modifier to the drill. We had the Receivers sit down on a chair and practiced drilling it from that position. Then, we switched feeds. Later, we saw the intent was amped up which was good. So we told them to try to add one of the subsets to gain entry to the target. I had some good flows with the guys. In some of my shots I used the power assist moves that we learned last week. Nice to know that it works!

Training can be for learning, installing correct responses, experimentation, learning what works, or trying out new material (technique) in class.

Great class!

Monday, August 3, 2015

Maharlika Class: July 28, 2015

Tonight's class we continued on teaching the subsets for TD1. On this night, we went over power assist. During class, I was observing everyone's movement, and it showed that TD1 was sinking into their muscle memory. Some of the techniques had to be performed more than once to get the right entry into the target. Once they got it, they flowed right into their entry target. After working these techniques over and over, we then tried free-flowing and added to gain entry by power assist.

This part of class looked so fun that I had to step in and free flow with the student's. Once I realized I could perform these (power assist) at random during free flow, I tried applying the other subsets of TD1 during free flow. I came to realize something I've learned what the Tuhon's where talking about. I learned how the formula was formed. Now, I could just change the variables.

I remember hearing at a Sayoc Kali Instructor's Weekend that when we learn the formula of the drill. We can actually plug any material or technique into that formula to learn a different skill set. No matter what type of technique you use within the formula for example: power assist, no clearing, take downs with blade, lakad, stop blocks, or drawing weapon. We can plug and play the technique into the formula to learn and drill.

Remember your Goals!
Focus!

Sunday, July 26, 2015

The Hunted Movie - 2003


I remember watching this movie when it first came out in 2003 thinking I was going to learn this martial art that Pamana Tuhon Sayoc created. I was excited! I felt like I was learning some cool moves in the beginning. But growing up in the art, you learn that it's more than a bunch of drills or memorizing techniques.

In this one knife fighting scene, I see a lot of principles that we've learned in Sayoc throughout the years. Tuhon Tom Kier and Tuhon Rafael Kayanan were brought in as technical advisors for the blade work and later to take charge of the fight choreography. Some training methodologies and principles I saw were Phase 3, Phase 2, panatukan set 1, royal guard set 1, medical management, projectile, power assist, blade awareness, holstering, TD1 isolations, TD8, and 3 of 9.

Knowing this know made me reflect in my time spent in Sayoc Kali. I wished more people would be as excited to learn this family art as I was when I first started.

Here's an article I found about The Hunted and the involvement of Sayoc Kali. But many more Filipino martial arts are being brought in the forefront of entertainment these days. Guro Joe Marana also wrote a great article about "Filipino Martial Arts Influence in Film and Media" of today.

Maharlika Martial Arts: July 21, 2015

Tonight, we went through another level of TD1-no clearing hand. I noticed that most of the guys are getting used to the new TD1. Still trying to get the flow of the drill smoothly. Maybe we should add some modifiers in the next class.

Last part of the class, we went through the different types of tapping. Funnel taps are looking better than last time we practiced it. Still not getting the hinge up before performing the funnel tap. Maybe we need to slow it down to get more correct reps in. Then, add intent as they become comfortable with funnel taps.


Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Class Notes: July 19, 2015

Attendees: Lem, Jonas (new perspective student)

Notes:
Discussed blade protocol
Taught 3 of 9 template
3 of 9 with tapping
Topics that were also mentioned: Explained Feeder/Receiver roles during drills. Feeder mindset. Belt rig.

Maharlika Class: July 7 & 14, 2015

In these two classes, we started teaching the Feeder set of TD1. Slight changes to the Receiver set of TD1 but it was necessary change in order to counter Feeders attacks. First class was taught and a lot of the guys liked this new version of TD1. They said that it was more aggressive in it's attacks.

Second class was just the same. We reviewed and showed the isolations of the new TD1 version. Much improved movements from the guys. They are getting used to the new movements. We will try adding modifiers in the future. But for now, they are just getting used to the revised TD drill and installing the movements.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Maharlika Class: June 23, 2015

We had a few students in class today. We split them up and worked on Transitional Drills. Each instructor to a student tonight. Nice class tonight!

Friday, June 19, 2015

Maharlika Class: June 16, 2015

Tonight's class, we taught panatuken from the Guard 5 stance. Started from the jab, jab-cross, jab-cross-hook, jab-backfists, and jab-elbow/finger jab.

Integrated it into the 3 of 9 template with clearing cross-taps.

1. Jab
2. Elbow or hook
3. Downward punch or hook
4. hammer fists or elbow
5. scoop kick or guard 5 upward jab
6. back fist
7. kick or hammer fist
8. elbow or hook
9. hook or forearm hit to side/back of the head.

Can target any part of the body. But the motions stay the same.

Seminar with Guro Daniel Lonero

My friend, Guro Joe Marana and Guro Mark Eveleigh, hosted Guro Daniel Lonero from XTMA. He's from Manong Dan Inosanto's lineage. It was a great seminar and a great learning experience from this guy. It was nice to see how he integrated the different ranges into one fluid motion. It was a good seminar on the basics into how JKD/Kali is expressed through Guro Daniel's perspective.

We warmed up with some footwork drills. Then we learned from different arts by combining them into one from kicking, punching, trapping to grappling range. Throw in silat and some knife concepts and it was an all around good seminar.

Seminar in Chile:




Class Notes: June 14, 2015

Attendence:
Dan
Bryant

Notes:
Taught 4 of 12 template right hand and left hand.

Maharlika Class: June 9, 2015

Tonight's class we resumed training transitional drills and getting correct reps. We had the guys pair up and work on various TD's. From TD1 to TD8. Guro's Joe C., Joe M., and I followed around the room to answer any questions they had. Everything looked good and noticed more improvement from the newer students. I was able to rep some drills with the Guro's too.

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Maharlika Class: June 2, 2015

First time back since Philippines trip. Glad to be back training again. Tonight, we had a good turn out of students. We split into pairs and drilled transitional drills. Guro's Joe C. and Joe M. and I moved around to help anyone who needed it. Got to see where people are at in their training. Could definitely see the difference in energy with the new guys compared to our experienced guys. Hopefully in time we can bridge that gap. Need more Correct reps--Make good reps!

Focus! Remember your Goals!
Don't wait too long to make a decision. It might be too late.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Weekday Class Notes: 4/14/2015

Attendees:
Cory
Lem

Notes;
3 of 9 Rh/Lh/with tapping
Reviewed 3 of 9 True Left
Reviewed TD 1
Taught Panatukan set 1: 1-5
4 of 12 Right Hand

Maharlika Class: 4/7/2015

Tonight's class was great! We split the guys into two groups. Beginners and intermediate. The beginner guys were taught 3 of 9 Rh and Lh template. They installed that until end of class. The other group got to put to use the knowledge of Right and Left hand 3 of 9 template. Guro Joe C. expressed the need for a panatukan feel to the drill. Later, Guro Joe M. would show what it could look like if one hand is used to clear.

Later, we asked them to use it to get into a grappling/control with Rh and Lh template. We had them do it for each count for 3 of 9.

Nice class!

Class Notes: 4/5/2015

Attendees:
Dan
Lem

Notes:
Review 3 of 9 Rh/Lh template/Lh defeats Rh
TD 1-5
Free Flow
Dan continues his growth in understanding of free flow. As an instructor, I should be the one guiding the free flow. I dictate what the student learns. This part of the process of being a teacher and student is a learning process. I want to see what works for me but at the same time be able to explain what can be learned from that encounter for him.

As for free-flow from a Feeder's standpoint, it should be the Feeder who dictates how the free-flow will turn out. In the end, it can come from both sides of the free-flow: From a Receiver turning into a Feeder or from a Feeder staying as a Feeder. This will depend on the knowledge (skill level), use of the information (experience, skill level), and familiarity of the technique (attack/cross-tapping).

Class Notes: 3/29/2015

Attendees:
Bryant
Dan
Lem

Notes:
3 of 9 Rh/Lh template/tapping
TD 1-4
TD 5

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Lip Sync Battle: Tonight's Show with Jimmy Fallon


Total commitment... whether lip syncing, training, or grappling. 100% commitment. No half-assed workout or training.

Maharlika Class: 3/31/2015

Tonight's class, Guro Joe M., showed the hub (hubud) drill that Guro Harley showed us in Instructor Weekend. The drill was a nice reminder of the weekend. I've done hubad drills before from other fma's. This drill reminds us about our targets during the reps.

For the rest of the class time, we spent time reviewing with the students their transitional drills and some 3 of 9 material. Nice class.

Focus!

Friday, March 27, 2015

Maharlika Class: 3/24/2015

Today's class went well. Guro Joe M taught True Right. I'm liking this true right principles. After that, Guro Joe M, went over some different post-penetration techniques. We utilized them while performing 3 of 9 on our partners. After class, Guro Joe M, reminded us why or what's our reason to draw our blade? In the past, I remember Pamana Tuhon Chris talk during our instructor weekends. Guro Joe M reminded us about our decision to draw our blade in a real scenario. Is it to save our life and our love ones. Or is our ego being challenged?

Remember your Goals! Focus!


Weekday Class: 3/24/15

Attendees:
Cory
Lem

Notes:
3 of 9 Rh/Lh/Both/with tapping
3 of 9 Lh defeats Rh
3 of 9 True Left
TD1
TD2
Free-flow



Class Notes: 3/22/2015

Attendees:
Bryant
Dan
Tavon

Notes:
Reviewed/warm up 3 of 9 tapping/Rh/Lh/Both
TD 1-5
7 count-passing drill
Integrated 7 cp drill with TD1. Had them try catching it within TD1.

Discussed having the blade as the point of strength instead of relying on their own attributes. Also talked about the differences between Sayoc/Atienza Kali and other fma's. Reminded me of an article that Guro Nick Stevens wrote: Do You Train a Blade System?

Keep Focus!

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Maharlika Class: 3/17/2015

Tonight, we had four guys who came to class. This made it possible to have some practice time with the other instructors. We split the guys up into two groups. One group continued practicing TD1. The other guys practiced their TDs (TD1-3). Guro Dr Bob visited us in class today which was nice.

I was able to review some TDs with both Guro's Joe C. and Joe M. Always good to practice with the other instructors.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Weekday Class Notes: 3/17/15

Attendees:
Cory
Lem

Notes:
Review 3 of 9 Rh/Lh/Both at same time, w/tapping.
3 of 9 Left hand defeats Right.
TD 1.
Discussed reactionary gap.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Class Notes: 3/15/2015

Attendees:
Bryant
Dan
Lem

Notes:
Dan and I free-flowed while waiting for Bryant to show up. I noticed when I was feeding Dan, he would always finish off his tap with a left hand post and then push off to my feeding arm. So next few feeds, I knew what he would do. It seemed like his go to move. I was able to exploit his go to move, by making a bigger circular motion over his head, this made him miss posting my arm and me getting my cut. Interestingly though, I wasn't going fast. It took him a few times to figure out what I was doing.

We got to talking about the meaning for free-flow. Most of the time, we want to play our best technique out there. But we should rethink and make it a learning tool. We need to remind ourselves that it's time for experimentation. Time to see if that technique you were training works. Also, I remember Pamana Tuhon Sayoc talking to us about fighting our twin. What if we had to fight someone who was equal to us in speed, power, and knew what you knew. How would we be able to defeat him? What is the answer?

When Bryant got to class, it would be an interesting one. Bryant brought his baby daughter, and she was running around while Dan and Bryant were performing TDs. Made for a fun but challenging training for them.

TD 1-4 reveiwed
TD 5 taught. Bryant is training both Feeder and Receiver sides. Second week in doing TD5. More reps in will hopefully get it into memory.


Maharlika Class: 3/10/2015

We continued teaching Receiver grips. Two other students continued learning TD1. Guro Joe M. taught some differences in technique for the receiver grips. Guro Joe came from the West coast side of learning the drill. We showed both to see what differences and what works. Later, we had the students incorporate Receiver grips during TD1.

Weekday Class: 3/10/2015

Attendees:
Cory
Lem

Notes:
Review 3 of 9 Feeder/Receiver
TD 1

Made sure targets 7 and 8 were known. Explained 1 through 5 levels when performing TD1.

Class Notes: 3/08/2015

Attendees:
Bryant
Dan
Lem

Notes:
Reviewed 3 of 9 rh/lh/simultaneously
TD 1-4
Taught TD 5

Discussed how Pamana Tuhon Sayoc shared with us during a seminar that we learn physically how to solve problems. When these problems are presented to us, we have the decision to respond correctly or reflexively. But with training and learning the correct/conditioned response, can we make that right decision during conflict.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Maharlika Martial Arts: 2/24/2015

I know this is a late post but thought it would be nice to try with my group of guys.

Receiver Grips taught on this day...
Guro Joe C. helped teach this class with Guro Joe M and I walked around to help the guys with their grips. Later, we had them free flow. The past few classes we had them learn 7 count passing and later with counters. Near the end of class during free flow, we had Receivers try to get their Receiver grips or try to get a strip. Feeders ramping it up to include counters to their vital targets.

Nice class.

Class Notes: 3/3/2015

Attendees:
Cory H. (Perspective student)
Lem

Notes:
Cory came from NOVA training group. I wanted to check out what he knows.
Reviewed 3of9 rh/lh/same time.
Receiver 3 of 9 tapping
TD1 Receiver side
Taught: 3 of 9 Feeder
7 count passing drilll
Free flowed with Cory trying to apply what he learned with 7 count passing drill.

Need to review again TD1 receiver side when doing #7 and 8 for him.
Had a nice class with Cory.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Sayoc Kali History and Timeline

Cool stuff found on this subject. Like the title, Tuhon, was used back in 1970's before it was known in the filipino martial arts community by Pamana Tuhon Sayoc. Sayoc Kali was founded and created by Pamana Tuhon Chris Sayoc. Timeline dates certain events from 1959 to 2014. I also added the history of Sayoc Kali on my page. Check it out.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Class in Maharlika Martial Arts: 1/27/2015

We reviewed transitional drills throughout class. Later, Guro Joe M. showed some ways to integrate open-seam cuts during one of the drills. We had picked one transitional drill and tried to look for open seams during the drill. We then had Receivers try landing some phase-2 locks from a free-flow motion. 2 on 1 holds.



Class Notes: Jan 25, 2015

Attendees:
Lem
Dan

Notes:
Transitional Drills 1-4
Learned TD 5
Discussed learning different aspects in Sayoc kali while making the tools (ex: cross-tapping, silak) we have remain sharp.