kali anyone?

[jiu-jitsu fighter]

Im really curious of what you guys think of kali, im interested in studying the art but I have realised that it might be a great weapons art. But why spend time traing in an art that is based on weapons fighting when only on the rare occasion will you be packing a pair of kali sticks?

 

I mean i know kali has unarmed techniques, but when am i ever goin to have a rattan or a knife on me? Im hesitant to train in this art because to me it seems absolite, please educate me on what circumstances my kali training would be usefull to me?

 

i do study boxing and bjj, im just curious about where you guys think kali training could come into play?

[Kirves]

I studied kali as my main art for about two years in the past (94 to 96). About half of the time spent training was done unarmed. All the drills we did with knives was 99% directly applicaple to empty hands, with minor modifications. Sticks were good because I work as a security guard and always carry the baton with me. Usually new kali students starts by learning mostly stick techniques. For several months the training focuses on that. Then knife and empty hand training starts to come into picture. The reason is that with the sticks you have larger motions and it is easier to learn and teach them that way. If you start teaching complicated drills with small subtle movements, the intricacies are harder to grasp and it is harder for the instructor to notice and explain errors. But with large visible movements of the stick, they are easily shown, explained and noticed.

 

Also, there's a historical reason for starting with the stick. In the old times, kali students were actually training to go to combat. Not in some distant future, but right then, or at least some weeks or months from the beginning. So they had to become effective warriors fast. Also good blades weren't available for everyone and training with them is dangerous if you aren't skilled. Thus it was reasonable to start with the stick. Rattan and wood grew everywhere so anyone going to combat could grab a stick and start fighting. Stick training was simple and straightforward and made the student effective fast.

 

After the latter half of 96 I have kept kali on the sidelines, off and on, studying other arts, but I still try to drill some kali stuff once in a while as the methods are quite effective. IMO.

[jiu-jitsu fighter]

but does kali resemble muay thai and bjj with its chokes ,elbows,knees,throws,submissions?

 

its suppose to be a well rounded ma' is this true ?

[Venezolano]

It could be very useful in a self-defense situation i think.

 

Kali is great.

[Kirves]

I think the kali unarmed methods are similar to muay thai to some extent. Of course there are differences, but the roundhouse kick, stop kick, basic punches and elbows are exact match or at least as near as it goes to muay thai. Also there are some more methods, like in my experience forearm strikes to the neck area, that were quite common in kali (often ending up in the clinch). The locks and takedowns are something similar to some jujutsu and wrestling moves, but usually very simple and direct. Actually, I don't have that much kali groundwork experience, just some takedowns and stand up grappling work. In the two years I trained kali very actively, we had very few groundwork sessions.

 

And of course, there are lots of different styles of Filipino arts. My experiences come mostly from the "Inosanto Blend" line.

[Pacificshore]

The philosophy behind FMA when teaching the stick(s) is that it can be done empty handed or with a knife as Kirves has pointed out. There are many different styles of Kali, Eskrima, Arnis. But the basic principle is the same. Some styles are for close range, mid range, and long range. If you'd like even more info., hit up shortstick, as he studies Serrada eskrima which is a in-close range of stick fighting.

[Kensai]

From what I know of FMA Kali is pretty good.

 

Just out of interest, what is the difference both history wise and techniques wise between Kali and Silat?

[jiu-jitsu fighter]

silat is mainly an empty hand art, that uses forms, kali does not use forms, actually it has like one or two, but only at higher levels.

[ForeverTheArt]

kali i a very efective martial art,you said when am i gonna have a pair of kali sticks or a knife on me, or something like that. almost anything that could be used to blugeon could substitute for the kali stick, and knife is self explanitory. its a very common and easily obtained weapon and you could jus carry one with you.

[Ka0ticSH]

yea more or less its not really so much emphasizing on kali sticks and knife fights ..

 

it teaches you coordination with two hands .. and how to use both hands in a fight simultaneously

 

i havent taken kali but a friend of mine has .. he can bust fast smooth moves even with both as empty hands

 

kali and silat are both great.