There is a new historical reference article that discusses the the evolution of the Sayoc Kali system under Pamana Tuhon Chris Sayoc.
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New Historical Timeline of Sayoc Kali
December 19, 2011 by · 1 Comment
Training Modifier
February 6, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Posted on 01February2011 by Estela (Kevin Estela)
Definition: Training a : the act, process, or method of one that trains b : the skill, knowledge, or experience acquired by one that trains. Modifier a: From modify, to change. One that modifies.
“Practice makes perfect.” How many times do you recall hearing this as a kid? Was it in piano practice, shooting free throws in basketball or maybe it was learning to write a lowercase z in cursive handwriting? Wherever it was, you probably remember boring yourself in the monotony of repetitions of the same motion. Sometimes this repetition is good for you. You can’t discredit the importance of dialing “9-1-1” children are taught to practice as soon as they can learn the concept of an emergency. Also muscle memory is important when reaching for your knife or tool and finding it where you always carry it. At other times, repetitions can be bad for you if the reps are done incorrectly. Imagine hitting a heavy bag a thousand times a day with your idea of a perfect jab punch only to find out you leave your face wide open to your opponent when you get into a fight. What happens to all that muscle memory now? How do you retrain your brain?
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2010 Sama Sama Review 2
September 9, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
written by Guro Bethany Carpenter
Sama Sama is an annual gathering of the members of Sayoc Kali. Practitioners of all ranks from all over the world come together once a year to meet, train, test, and celebrate the past year. For members of Sayoc, it is not simply a training event, but a family reunion. The theme for this year’s Sama Sama was “Change.”
Below is a summary of events for Sama Sama 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010 “Hidden Agenda.” Much of the material taught and trained at Sama Sama is focused on the Sayoc Kali curriculum. The Hidden Agenda takes place the night before the official start of Sama Sama and includes special material outside of the official curriculum. This year, Tuhon Rafael Kayanan taught those participating about the Filipino head axe. He covered history, templates and various techniques with a solo head axe and also the head axe and knife.
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2010 Sama Sama Review 1
September 9, 2010 by · 1 Comment
written by Guro Nick Stevens
Sayoc Sama Sama 2010 July 2nd, 3rd,4th, and 5th
Sama Sama 2010 was held in Pennsylvania this year, and held true to previous years with outstanding training that included updated curriculum, Tomahawk and long sword training, Melee fights, and the testing of apprentices and associate instructors alike.The instructors included Tuhons, full instructors and associate instructors sharing their knowledge and filling in curriculum gaps in our training. As always, everyone who left there left with both new material and more current versions of the older material to practice and install to improve ourselves as both instructors and fighters.
[Read more...]
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2004 Sama Sama Review
September 9, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
written by Guro Nicholas Stevens
Sama Sama 2004 was held in Pennsylvania over July 2nd, 3rd and 4th of July
Friday night consisted of Tuhon Tom Kier introducing Phase 2 training. Phase 2 is the transition of being a receiver to a feeder. Phase 2 consists of the empty hand component of Sayoc training, which includes Silak and stop blocks in order to gain control of the blade being used against you. Guro’s Harley Elmore, Kevin Blake and Chuck Giangreco assisted Tuhon Tom with demontratings some of the techniques included in the phase 2 training. Saturday started with the line up and salutation and Pamana Tuhon Sayoc welcoming everyone to Sama Sama. Next came the demonstrations from instructors of various martial arts systems. Each Sama Sama, Sayoc practitioners are exposed to other Filipino martial arts systems by the guest instructors Pamana Tuhon Sayoc invites. Guro Ray Floro ( http://www.florofightingsystems.com ) began the demonstrations by showing single blade entries from Floro fighting systems, next Guro Krishna Godhania ( http://www.krishnagodhania.org ) demonstrating Panantukan from Warriors Eskrima, then Guro Harley Elmore ( http://warriorswaytx.com ) with Maphilindo Silat, and finally Tuhon’s Bong, Carl, and Darryl Atienza ( www.Atienzakali.com ) showing Atienza kali long blade. It is always great to be able to train and exchange ideas with these and other instructors to help support and build a stronger FMA community.
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2001 Sama Sama Review
September 9, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
written by Guro Steve Lefebvre
The road entering the training area way out in the distance!
July 5th
After a 7 hour drive to West Hazelton Pa., and a short off road drive behind a golf course (Don’t ask!), we finally arrived at the entrance to 15,000 acres of open land! The land is actually a part of an off road driving course, and it was about 2,000 yards in, so you did need a high clearance vehicle to get on site for training. A large 40 ft tent and a portable bathroom were set up to help with the amenities. Tuhon Sayoc and his family welcomed us in , and we started right in on whip work with Battang Tuhon Jimmie (Tuhon’s son). We first worked on #3 of 9 template as it corresponded to the whip and then added #10, #11, and #12 strikes to that. Next came the “Star Pattern”, this invol ved cracking the whip at each point of the 5 pointed star. Sounded easy, but after my right forearm looked like Popeye’s, I realized I needed a little bit more practice. Which, of course, we had time to do. Later that afternoon and into early (o.k. late) evening, Tuhon had the instructors, all working on transition drill #7, then for those of us who didn’t know transition drills #1 –5, we paired off with other instructors who brought us up to speed. My brain was seriously overwhelmed by all the information. We finished off with a barbecue dinner, and getting to know all the different instructors. Oh, did I feel to mention that the firearms range was in full bore during most of this event? Well, loud noises don’t make me jump anymore. Back to the Hotel, and eventually sleep around 12:00 am.
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2006 Sama Sama Review
September 9, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
written by: Guro Steve Lefebvre
Overthe last several years I have been privileged to attend the variousSayoc Kali Sama Sama events, and each year the keep getting better andbetter! This year was no exception! I hope my short review will giveyou a good look at some of the training opportunities that went on thispast weekend.
Friday June 30th
With Sayoc Kali practitionersconverging in St. Cloud Florida for this years Sama Sama event, I wasamazed to see how far Sayoc Kali has spread throughout the world.Practitioners from England, France, Ireland, Sweden, and all over theUnited States including several Army Special Forces personnel were allin attendance for a weekend packed with amazing training opportunities. [Read more...]
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2002 Sama Sama Review
September 9, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
written by Guro Steve Lefebvre
Sayoc Kali practitioners from around the US and as far as Canada , came to West Hazleton Pennsylvania for the annual Sayoc Kali Sama – Sama training event this past July 6,7, and 8th. It was a great event held on the grounds of Paragon Adventures, the premiere off road adventure park on the East Coast. Each day started around 9:00am and went through until dark, which was around 8:00-8:30pm. [Read more...]
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5 Myths of Reverse Grip Blade Fighting
September 22, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
By Guro Steven Lefebvre
As with many aspects of blade fighting, various grips are often heatedly debated among knife practitioners. This article will focus only on the 5 Myths of Reverse Grip Blade Fighting. The 5 most common “Myths” that I constantly run across when speaking or working with, various students around the world are:
- Lack of Reach
- Lack of Versatility
- Lack of Flexibility
- Lack of Accuracy
- Lack of Defense
Lack of Reach
The distance or reach will be determined by the tactic you employ in the combat situation. Lack of reach usually occurs because of the options taught to the student have only included short range fighting tactics. (ie. trapping, short range reverse slashes and stabs etc)
As one example, in the Floro Fighting System, the primary grip is in the reverse position, yet I can stand at 4 – 6 feet from you and easily strike you in less than 1/2 a sec. (usually less.) The distance is covered with a combination of both footwork and body mechanics.
The limiting factor is not the grip, but the individuals approach to using it.
Lack of Versatility
What is versatile? One definition of the term “versatile” is – embracing a variety of subjects, fields, or skills; also : turning with ease from one thing to another.”
Versatility is in the training set forth to the practitioner. Ask yourself this question if you are never exposed to many varying methods or manners of using a tool or weapon, are you adequately prepared for its use? Becoming versatile in the use of a tool or weapon is dependent on the training. Within the Sayoc system there are many methods for utilizing edged weapons of various sizes, designs and grips, so, open your eyes to new information and do not become fixed on any one way, just because your instructor says it is so.
Lack of Flexibility
In a reverse grip position, my hand and wrist are still offer me a good range of motion and flexibility. Although many people do not have flexible wrist motion, or at least are not use to using a blade in this fashion. One method to help improve your flexibility here could be taken from Silat, where practitioners learn to write their name in script form with the tip of the blade in the air. This drill will help develop a flexible, flowing motion with the wrist.
Lack of Accuracy
Again this is a training issue. Are you incorporating “accuracy” training as part of your normal training practice? I practice in reverse grip to work for accuracy, with both my left and right hands. I hit 8 or 9 out of 10 times a less than 2 inch target all the time. It can be done on the move, or from a stationary position, but practice is the key!
Lack of Defense
Lack of defense against what?
A particular type of attack?
While holding in reverse grip you have the ability to pick off an opponent’s hand with the blade, jam it, hook it, filet it on the back stroke and a host of other so called “defensive methods”.
A few more points to examine:
When carrying a fixed blade you will notice that you are in a natural position to grab for the blade in a reverse grip position. It is fast and requires no change of the wrist position in order to draw from the same side as the drawing hand. Now if you were holstering on the opposite side, a Cross draw would enable a person to easily draw in the forward grip again without that same change of the wrist position. Even reaching backward trying to search for a weapon on a table will often bring a weapon into the reverse grip position in a very fluid manner.
So don’t limit yourself or your training and don’t fall for these 5 Myths of Reverse Grip Blade Fighting! Be sure to check out our main website for more knife fighting and knife grip techniques.
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First Aid Kit
September 16, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
September is National Preparedness Month.
A well-stocked first-aid kit, kept within easy reach, is a necessity in every home. Having supplies gathered ahead of time will help you handle an emergency at a moment’s notice.
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