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I was talking tonight to a girl that had to do a presentation for one of her college classes. So, I grabbed this article from my archives and taught her this strike subsystem. Just thought it was interesting. BTW, she got an A+/100%. Her presentation showed how the use of principles and concepts can teach one to teach him or herself. She also explained that she learned this in only 1 hour.
10 Strike Sub-System
(Steps in teaching yourself)
First off, a little clarification between strikes and angles is due. There are 360 mathematical degrees within a circle. Each degree presents an angle. An angle is the space within two lines diverging from a common point. That was the Webster’s Dictionary meaning 1. I’ll explain an angle being the line or immediate area of the line in which an attack or strike will fall on or around. A strike is a hit with or without a weapon that lands impact at the point of target. Every strike must fall into an angle. For a little more on this subject please see ANGLES OF ATTACK. The 10 strike sub-system was developed to teach students how to think for themselves by organizing some key and principle elements into a set outline. The 10 strikes are organized by taking the “X” which is 4 strikes (2 up and 2 down), the “+” which is 2 strikes side to side and 2 strikes upward and downward. This only comes up with 8 strikes, but we get the other 2 from 2 upward (one from open, one from closed) and same goes for the downward. In my feeling, all of the strikes can somehow be put into the 10 angles that these 10 strikes fall into. You’ll see. So here goes the outline:
Striking System
There are 10 basic angles.
1. Downward, diagonal strike from right to left, from open upper chamber.
2. Downward, diagonal strike from left to right, from closed upper chamber.
3. Upward, diagonal strike from right to left, from open lower chamber.
4. Upward, diagonal strike from left to right, from closed lower chamber.
5. Straight, vertical strike from right to left, from open middle chamber.
6. Straight, vertical strike from left to right, from closed middle chamber.
7. Straight, horizontal strike from top to bottom, from open high chamber.
8. Straight, horizontal strike from bottom to top, from open low chamber.
9. Straight, horizontal strike from top to bottom, from closed high chamber.
10. Straight, horizontal strike from bottom to top, from close low chamber.
There are 12 basic methods to apply strikes onto angles:
1. Basic
2. Thrust
3. Punyo
4. Power
5. Double Handed
6. Double Handed Thrust
7. Stick-Ice Pick
8. Double Stick
9. Knife-Standard
10. Knife-Ice Pick
11. Empty Hand
12. Kicking
Each striking method can be done in at least 3 basic ways:
1. Witik (Retracting)
2. Redondo (Circular whipping)
3. Latik (Follow Through)
Each strike can be done at 3 different levels:
1. Head / Shoulders region.
2. Body / Hands region.
3. Legs and feet region.
Each strike can be done either chambered or broken-chambered:
1. Chambered - Strikes that start in the open position, are chambered in the open or strikes that start in the closed position are chambered closed.
2. Broken Chambered - Strikes that start in the open position are chambered in the closed and strikes that start in the closed position are chambered open.
Working off of 10 particular angles, we can do each angle using 12 variations of the strikes. This equals 120 strikes. These 120 strikes can be done in 3 basic different ways. This gives you 360 strikes. These 360 strikes can be done at 3 different levels. This now gives us 1,080 strikes. These 1,080 strikes can be done either standard or broken. This now gives us 2,160 strikes to work with. This is a perfect example of the use of concepts to explain something in the Philippine Fighting Arts. You don’t have to memorize 2,160 strikes. You can learn 10 basic angles, 12 different ways to strike along those angles, 3 different variations of a strike, 3 different basic levels, and how to use a chambered or broken chambered strike.
Remember now, that there are more than 12 different ways to attack along an angle, and there is no set numbers or style of the “angles” of attack. These 10 are just the particular 10 that I like to use to teach this particular lesson. Remember there is a difference between strikes and angles. Every strike has to fall into an “angle”, but not every strike is an angle. If this were true than you’d have to learn over 2,160 angles of attack. Another way I like to put it is that every strike that your opponent throws at you must fall into an angle, however every strike that you throw doesn’t necessarily have to be an angle. This means you don’t deflect his attack, monitor, than feed angle ”x”. Also remember that just because you can now cover 2,160 strikes that you have mastered them all. There are still abaniko, florette, and countless other variations. Strive to master your body mechanics, not some man-made style or system. What accomplishment is mastering something another person has made? What accomplishment is creating something, then claiming to have mastered it? Once you have mastered something, you can grow no more. If you can grow no more, you begin to die.
This striking system is just a tool for learning. Nothing more, nothing less. Some may find it to be sufficient, some not enough and some too much. Each individual must choose his or her own path. Each individual must walk his or her own journey. This striking system can be used to explore various combinations. There are literally thousands of combinations that one can come up with using this formula. Taking just the first four angles, going 1, 2, 3, and 4 than going 2, 3, 4, and 1, than going 3, 4, 1, and 2, and last going 4, 1, 2, and 3 and you have 4 basic combinations. Now you can do them as any of the first 7 of the 12 strikes using the single stick. That will give you 48 combinations. Than you can mix the combo using method 1 for the first 2 strikes of the combo and method 2 for the third and fourth strike of the combo. Than you can mix the combo using method 2 for the first 2 strikes of the combo and method 1 for the third and fourth strike of the combo. Now that gives you 56 combinations using only the first 4 angles and barely touching the 12 different methods of striking. Now if you add the REVERSE ANGLE concept and the MIRROR ANGLE concept you get 168 different combos. Now do it only using witiks. This will give you 336 combos. Now you are only doing it on one level, but now do it where the first two strikes are done high and the next two are done low, or where the first two are done low and the next two are done high. This will give you 1,008 combos. This is another example of how using concepts and an open mind you can learn 10 strikes and already “know” over 2,160 strikes and over 1,008 combos without actually doing it. Of course the more you practice, the better you become.
Remember now we are only touching the tip of the ice burg, if you study this detailed and take into account every variation possible within this particular “10 angle” system, you will come up with over 20,000 combos. This includes mixing the kicks with strikes, strikes with knife, and stick or knife with empty hand. Of course, it’s not the quantity of what you know, it is the quality of what you know. This is just like an encyclopedia, the information is all here when you need it. The amazing thing is that it is extremely easy to learn once you understand the concept of angles and strikes. How ironic that it is so simple, yet once you look at it all you see how complex it is, and after you actually fight you see how simple it really is again.
Again, this particular “sub-system” was designed to teach an individual how to teach himself/herself. All the most basic principles of “what is done with the weapon is transferred to the empty hand” and “all weapons are the used the same” are taught through this sub-system. Last word, this is called a sub-system because it is far from the complete totality of combat. Each step can ultimately be broken down into an outline in itself. For example, double sticks can be held as 2 up, 1 down and 1 up, or 2 down, and same for knife. You can double knife, with the double stick options, or single knife. You can also do single edge knife with edge facing in or out and you can do double edge. In actuality, to have a “complete” system would mean to have stopped growing, and in stopping growth we can become no better and only deteriorate. This is just the first drop in a bucket to an ocean of knowledge. It is not right or wrong, it is just my outlook.
10 Strike Sub-System
(Steps in teaching yourself)
First off, a little clarification between strikes and angles is due. There are 360 mathematical degrees within a circle. Each degree presents an angle. An angle is the space within two lines diverging from a common point. That was the Webster’s Dictionary meaning 1. I’ll explain an angle being the line or immediate area of the line in which an attack or strike will fall on or around. A strike is a hit with or without a weapon that lands impact at the point of target. Every strike must fall into an angle. For a little more on this subject please see ANGLES OF ATTACK. The 10 strike sub-system was developed to teach students how to think for themselves by organizing some key and principle elements into a set outline. The 10 strikes are organized by taking the “X” which is 4 strikes (2 up and 2 down), the “+” which is 2 strikes side to side and 2 strikes upward and downward. This only comes up with 8 strikes, but we get the other 2 from 2 upward (one from open, one from closed) and same goes for the downward. In my feeling, all of the strikes can somehow be put into the 10 angles that these 10 strikes fall into. You’ll see. So here goes the outline:
Striking System
There are 10 basic angles.
1. Downward, diagonal strike from right to left, from open upper chamber.
2. Downward, diagonal strike from left to right, from closed upper chamber.
3. Upward, diagonal strike from right to left, from open lower chamber.
4. Upward, diagonal strike from left to right, from closed lower chamber.
5. Straight, vertical strike from right to left, from open middle chamber.
6. Straight, vertical strike from left to right, from closed middle chamber.
7. Straight, horizontal strike from top to bottom, from open high chamber.
8. Straight, horizontal strike from bottom to top, from open low chamber.
9. Straight, horizontal strike from top to bottom, from closed high chamber.
10. Straight, horizontal strike from bottom to top, from close low chamber.
There are 12 basic methods to apply strikes onto angles:
1. Basic
2. Thrust
3. Punyo
4. Power
5. Double Handed
6. Double Handed Thrust
7. Stick-Ice Pick
8. Double Stick
9. Knife-Standard
10. Knife-Ice Pick
11. Empty Hand
12. Kicking
Each striking method can be done in at least 3 basic ways:
1. Witik (Retracting)
2. Redondo (Circular whipping)
3. Latik (Follow Through)
Each strike can be done at 3 different levels:
1. Head / Shoulders region.
2. Body / Hands region.
3. Legs and feet region.
Each strike can be done either chambered or broken-chambered:
1. Chambered - Strikes that start in the open position, are chambered in the open or strikes that start in the closed position are chambered closed.
2. Broken Chambered - Strikes that start in the open position are chambered in the closed and strikes that start in the closed position are chambered open.
Working off of 10 particular angles, we can do each angle using 12 variations of the strikes. This equals 120 strikes. These 120 strikes can be done in 3 basic different ways. This gives you 360 strikes. These 360 strikes can be done at 3 different levels. This now gives us 1,080 strikes. These 1,080 strikes can be done either standard or broken. This now gives us 2,160 strikes to work with. This is a perfect example of the use of concepts to explain something in the Philippine Fighting Arts. You don’t have to memorize 2,160 strikes. You can learn 10 basic angles, 12 different ways to strike along those angles, 3 different variations of a strike, 3 different basic levels, and how to use a chambered or broken chambered strike.
Remember now, that there are more than 12 different ways to attack along an angle, and there is no set numbers or style of the “angles” of attack. These 10 are just the particular 10 that I like to use to teach this particular lesson. Remember there is a difference between strikes and angles. Every strike has to fall into an “angle”, but not every strike is an angle. If this were true than you’d have to learn over 2,160 angles of attack. Another way I like to put it is that every strike that your opponent throws at you must fall into an angle, however every strike that you throw doesn’t necessarily have to be an angle. This means you don’t deflect his attack, monitor, than feed angle ”x”. Also remember that just because you can now cover 2,160 strikes that you have mastered them all. There are still abaniko, florette, and countless other variations. Strive to master your body mechanics, not some man-made style or system. What accomplishment is mastering something another person has made? What accomplishment is creating something, then claiming to have mastered it? Once you have mastered something, you can grow no more. If you can grow no more, you begin to die.
This striking system is just a tool for learning. Nothing more, nothing less. Some may find it to be sufficient, some not enough and some too much. Each individual must choose his or her own path. Each individual must walk his or her own journey. This striking system can be used to explore various combinations. There are literally thousands of combinations that one can come up with using this formula. Taking just the first four angles, going 1, 2, 3, and 4 than going 2, 3, 4, and 1, than going 3, 4, 1, and 2, and last going 4, 1, 2, and 3 and you have 4 basic combinations. Now you can do them as any of the first 7 of the 12 strikes using the single stick. That will give you 48 combinations. Than you can mix the combo using method 1 for the first 2 strikes of the combo and method 2 for the third and fourth strike of the combo. Than you can mix the combo using method 2 for the first 2 strikes of the combo and method 1 for the third and fourth strike of the combo. Now that gives you 56 combinations using only the first 4 angles and barely touching the 12 different methods of striking. Now if you add the REVERSE ANGLE concept and the MIRROR ANGLE concept you get 168 different combos. Now do it only using witiks. This will give you 336 combos. Now you are only doing it on one level, but now do it where the first two strikes are done high and the next two are done low, or where the first two are done low and the next two are done high. This will give you 1,008 combos. This is another example of how using concepts and an open mind you can learn 10 strikes and already “know” over 2,160 strikes and over 1,008 combos without actually doing it. Of course the more you practice, the better you become.
Remember now we are only touching the tip of the ice burg, if you study this detailed and take into account every variation possible within this particular “10 angle” system, you will come up with over 20,000 combos. This includes mixing the kicks with strikes, strikes with knife, and stick or knife with empty hand. Of course, it’s not the quantity of what you know, it is the quality of what you know. This is just like an encyclopedia, the information is all here when you need it. The amazing thing is that it is extremely easy to learn once you understand the concept of angles and strikes. How ironic that it is so simple, yet once you look at it all you see how complex it is, and after you actually fight you see how simple it really is again.
Again, this particular “sub-system” was designed to teach an individual how to teach himself/herself. All the most basic principles of “what is done with the weapon is transferred to the empty hand” and “all weapons are the used the same” are taught through this sub-system. Last word, this is called a sub-system because it is far from the complete totality of combat. Each step can ultimately be broken down into an outline in itself. For example, double sticks can be held as 2 up, 1 down and 1 up, or 2 down, and same for knife. You can double knife, with the double stick options, or single knife. You can also do single edge knife with edge facing in or out and you can do double edge. In actuality, to have a “complete” system would mean to have stopped growing, and in stopping growth we can become no better and only deteriorate. This is just the first drop in a bucket to an ocean of knowledge. It is not right or wrong, it is just my outlook.
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