The Spearpoint Knuckle

The middle-finger knuckle fist (nakadaka-ken) of karate-& resembles this way of shaping the hand. As is shown in Figure, the projecting middle finger must be tightly squeezed between the supporting ring finger on one side and the forefinger on the other; further, the inner tip of the thumb must press hard up and under the terminal row bone phalange of the middle finger. Held in this fashion, the middle finger will not, even under hard impact, slip back in line with the other fingers. The formation is used for both thrust and strike actions against vulnerable points, such as the temple, the back of the hand, the eyes, and other facial areas.

The Beak Hand

The eagle hand or the bent wrist (washide or kakuta or koken of karate-do) resembles this widely used pencak-silat hand formation. Bring the tips of the fingers and the thumb together, holding them firmly under tension by pressure so that you feel them to be a unit. Flex your wrist, holding your hand bent downward, at a bit less than its maximum extent. This formation should resemble, as its name indicates, the beak of a bird. The fingertips may be used in combination as a striking surface; or the underside of the hand may be used to cupstrike targets such as sensitive facial areas or the groin when the target is "round the corners-when the enemy is standing, say, with his back and left side to you and you want to strike his right ear. By far the most important use of the beak hand, however, is its function as a hook to catch the enemy before hurling him off-balance. This is done by applying the beak hand to the far side of his neck from behind or alongside and then swinging him circularly backward to the ground as in Pencak Silat Training Exercise 13-A

The Upright Fist

The upright or standing fist (tate-ken of karate-do) is a tight fist flexed inward and upward so that the main surface of the fist contacts the target with the two knuckles of the little finger and the fourth finger (Fig. 5). Valuable in upward hooking, side hooking, and thrust punches this hand formation may be used with great effect against both midsection and groin (shown in Training Exercise 15).

The Arrowhead Fist

In general formation, this hand weapon resembles the "fore fist" (seiken of karate-do) but there are some distinctions worth noting. The tight fist is held so that it is flexed and locked at the wrist, with the mid-knuckles in line with the long axis of the forearm, to form a concave or saddle-back sway on the back surface of the hand. Occasionally a convex surface is formed by flexion in the inward direction so as to reach certain targets. Delivery of the arrowhead fist may be either by thrust or strike action. Favorite targets for the delivery of the arrowhead fist by either action include the face, throat, solar plexus, ribs, kidney areas, groin, the head, forearms, backs of hands, and shinbones. Delivery of the arrowhead fist as a thrust punch into the midsection, throat, or face is shown in Training Exercise 9.

Hand Formation of Karate-Do | Hiraken

Hiraken is called for fore-knuckle fist

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 15

This Mustika Kwitang exercise demonstrates how exponents of that style deliver their particular version of a punching action to the enemy's midsection, and at the same time it shows the trainee how to develop correct breath control and muscular contraction to enable him to withstand the punch. In order to understand this exercise, the trainee must realize that the standard thrust punching action of Mustika Kwitang differs from that of most other styles in that the punching arm is never fully extended (# 1). For that reason, many pencak-silat countermeasures that are effective against a fully extended punching arm fail when the enemy is a Mustika Kwitang exponent. The punch is delivered by an arm positioned alongside the operator, fist held palm facing the body just below breast level and well forward of the hip. The fist does not smash completely into the target but stops a bit short of a full-arm extension in a particular position that might be called an upright fist, or a standing fist. This method of punching requires that the operator be a hit closer to his target than if he were using a fully extended arm.

The receiver of the attack assumes a straddle stance, upright, arms hanging naturally at his sides; he does nothing to counter the punch about to be delivered by his training partner, who places himself so that he needs to take only one step forward (right step illustrated) to strike the target correctly. The target area should be that of the hard stomach muscles, not the solar plexus (# 2-# 3). The power of the punch must, of course, be built up gradually, so that it may finally be delivered and withstood at maximum strength and velocity. The partner who is to receive the attack balances solidly on both legs; he takes a full breath, swelling his abdominal region, then releases a small amount of air and tenses his stomach muscles.

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 14

A Perisai Diri countermeasure to the tactic described in Training Exercise 13-A, this exercise continues Training Exercise 12.

METHOD. You and your training partner face each other; he is in a right “dragon” combative posture, his right arm raised high; you are in a “tiger” combative posture, both hands raised defensively in front of you, palms open (#1). Your partner leaps around your left side and tries to hook your neck with his right hand preparatory to pulling you to the ground (#2-#3). You counter with an evasive wheeling action, turning quickly to your right, pivoting on your right foot and coming around 180° to escape his pull (#4-#5). Protect your body with your hands to avoid a possible kicking attack from him. If he assumes a new combative posture (such as in # 6) and if you rush at him in a straight-line fashion, you may fall victim to a side thrust kick (#7).

Bhakti Negara Pencak Silat Combat Situation

Situation. Your enemy has contrived to get a firm grip on your right arm and has twisted it counterclockwise (from your point of view), rotating your arm with the thumb downward as if to obtain an arm lock on you; you are in a right stance (# 1-# 2).
Action: Slide your opened left hand down your own right arm and onto your enemy's right wrist, pushing hard against his grip (# 2-# 3). Making use of the combined strength of both arms, pull hard to draw the enemy in toward you, and at the same time raise the elbow of your captured right arm ; pull your left hand hard back in toward you and down to cause the enemy's grip to slip from your wrist onto your hand (# 4). As the enemy loses his grip of your wrist, pass your right arm, elbow first, over the top of his right arm at the bend of the elbow, at the same time lowering your hips; should the enemy attempt to use his left hand to reinforce his failing right-hand grasp on your right hand, do not try to prevent him (# 4-# 5) ; your left hand grips the enemy's right wrist. Once your right arm is free, slide it under his armpit and onto his captured right arm, above the elbow (# 6). Dig the fingers of your right hand into his throat; the entwined arm acts as a kind of lock, and you could easily, at this point, throttle the enemy (# 7).

Perisai Diri Pencak Silat Combat Situation

Situation I. You and your enemy have squared off, both in right stances, and you have managed to get your right foot behind his as preparation for an old tactic well known to most combatants (# 1). Reference: Training Exercise 7.
Action: By driving forward with all your weight, you hope to press down your enemy's trapped right leg (# 2). At the same time, you lunge and twist your body a bit to the left; the combination may succeed in making him lose his balance (# 3). But whether he falls or not, you complete the attack by delivering a reverse sickle heel kick, aiming at his head if he has fallen (not shown) or at his groin if he has managed to regain his balance (# 4).

Situation 2. Your enemy has delivered a strong right side thrust kick at your midsection (# 1).
Action A: Dodge the focus of his kick by stepping back to your left rear corner onto your left foot; position yourself on the outside of his leg, twisting your body slightly to meet the attack. Simultaneously slide your right arm, the hand held open, under the attacking leg, just below the knee, making hard impact contact with the inner edge of your forearm and lifting the leg upward so as to keep the enemy pinned on his platform left leg and unable to withdraw his attacking leg (# 2). Take a deep step toward the enemy, raising his right leg even higher with your right arm as you meanwhile slide your left arm over the uppermost part of his right thigh, pressing downward at the hip; place your left leg across and in front of the enemy's platform leg so as to block any movement he might try to make with it (# 3). Heave him to the ground by the combined power of your upward lift and downward press and wheeling action; he will revolve around and over your extended left leg (not shown).
Action B: Evade the focus of the enemy's kick by taking a wide step directly to the left, bringing your body well outside the range of the attack. Swing a rising roundhouse kick into the enemy's groin from underneath his attacking right leg (# 2).
Action C: Another method is to evade the focus of the kick by taking a step to the left, around the outside of the enemy's attacking leg but a bit in toward him, while at the same time pushing the back of his attacking leg, below the knee, with the palm of your left hand (# 3). Then take a quick, short step closer in, on your left foot, placing it behind his platform foot and deliver a palm heel strike directly into his groin (# 4).

Setia Hati Pencak Silat Combat Situation

Action B: If the enemy's kick is near the side-thrust type, shift your weight onto your left leg and quickly raise your right leg (possible target) to protect your groin; you then strike your upper wrist bone hard against the enemy's kicking foot, just above the ankle (# 2-# 3). You may then knock the enemy's attacking leg inward, toward his center-line, and deliver a thrust kick of your own to the kneecap of the enemy's platform leg; or else you may face into the enemy at once and deliver a straight snap kick into the groin.

Situation 2. You have assumed a posture of sitting on the ground while the enemy is on his feet and is closing in on you Reference: Training Exercise 4.
Action: When the enemy comes within range, meet his attack with a roundhouse kick aimed at his head, using your right leg (# 2). Should he evade the kick (# 3), leap to your feet in order to face him from some suitable combative posture (not shown).

Situation 3. You are in a right stance, and your enemy aims a right lunge punch at your face.
Action A: Quickly duck under the enemy's right arm and step forward on your left foot. Deliver either a short right thrust punch to his ribs or solar plexus (# 1) or a right forward elbow strike to these same areas (# 2). Immediately after impact, hook your right foot inside the enemy's right foot and scoop his right leg in toward you (# 3-# 4) ; now grab the enemy's right leg with both hands and lift it up and to the right powerfully enough to send him sprawling face down to the ground (# 5).
Action B: At the enemy's right thrust punch, take a wide step to your left, bringing your left foot a bit forward; at the same time, parry the attacking arm from the outside with your opened left hand, palm placed against his arm just below the elbow, to your right (# 1). Parry the arm downward, striking hard with your right hand, knife-edged, into his facial area or neck (# 2-# 3). Alternatively, you may use your hand as shown in # 4 and # 5.

Situation 4. Your enemy is moving to his left in preparation for some new attack. Deliberately swing your right leg in a slow, high kick aimed at his midsection. He must see the kick coming, and he must not suppose it to be so weak that he can ignore it; accordingly, he dodges to his left (# 1-# 2).
Action: Put the foot with which you feinted the kicking attack quickly to the ground, placing it behind the enemy's trailing left foot (# 3). Keeping your right arm in readiness to block any action he may take, scoop up his trailing left leg with both your hands and at the same time drive your right shoulder into his buttocks (# 4). The combination of catching his leg and your forward body motion will knock him sprawling onto his face (# 5).

Situation 5. You have assumed a left stance, with the toes of your left foot pointing left; although your weight is equally centered, your right flank is exposed; your enemy is going to attack (# 1).
Action: Pivot as though you were turning to walk away from his oncoming attack, moving your right leg across and ahead of your left (# 2). To lure the enemy onward, you continue your retreat by stepping forward, putting your left foot ahead of your right and twisting your body to the left to watch the enemy (# 3). You not only let him narrow the gap between you, you narrow it yourself by faking another forward step with your right foot, bringing it in Line with your platform left foot; after delaying a bit, to be sure that the enemy has closed, drive a hard thrust kick backward with your right leg into his groin or advancing knee, twisting your body to
the right as you kick (# 4).

Mustika Kwitang Pencak Silat Combat Situation

Situation I. Your enemy is simultaneously aiming a right lunge punch at your midsection and is advancing his right leg around and behind your own right leg (# 1). Reference: Training Exercise 15.
Action: As the enemy lunges forward, shift your weight onto your left leg, raising your left arm high and keeping your right arm low (# 2). Before he has time to land his punch, you must kick your free right leg back and out against the side of his advancing right leg; at the same time, chop your left arm downward, knife edge against the inner side of his attacking forearm, while your right hand, also knife-edged, swings to deliver a blow to his neck or head (# 3). Shift to the left and wheel him to the ground, finishing him with a hard knife edge of one or both hands to his solar plexus (# 4 # 5).

Situation 2. The enemy is lunging forward with a right knife edge blow (not shown) to your head or neck; you meet his attack from a left stance (figure on the left) (# I). Action: Before the enemy has time to land his knife-edge attack, counterattack from your left stance with a right- hand punch to his midsection, covering the left side of your head with your left hand, held open (# 2). This latter action successfully blocks the enemy's knife-edge attack to the left side of your head, while he, for his part, also successfully blocks your punch to his midsection with his left hand held open (# 3). Break the stalemate by flinging both arms upward and high overhead, an action designed to throw both of his arms outward; shift your weight to your left leg, and using it as a platform, deliver a hard forward snap kick to the enemy's groin (# 4-# 5)

Cimande Pencak Silat Combat Situation

Situation I. Your enemy has aimed his left fist, in a thrust punch, at your face.
Action: You dodge his attack by stepping forward circularly to your right, around his attacking arm, to face him at about a 45º angle, placing both hands, held as knife edges, against the outside of his thrusting arm so as to block it above the elbow (# 1). Step forward on your left leg placing your foot in front of him; at the same time, using both arms, press his attacking arm in toward his center line and a bit downward. Now disengage your right hand, meanwhile continuing your blocking action with your left hand, which acts as a cover (# 2). With your free arm deliver a knife hand blow to the back of his head or the nape of his neck (# 3).
Situation 2. You are in a right stance, your enemy in a left; you face each other; he attacks by punching and kicking consecutively with his right arm and leg.
Action A: Since the punch precedes the kick, you must parry that first, using the palm of your right hand to turn his arm in toward his center line; keeping your groin covered with your left hand, move your right foot a bit to the right (# 1). As his roundhouse kick arrives, step inside of it on your left leg; disengage your right hand from his arm and scoop up the attacking right leg from the inside, just above the ankle; you must hold your palm upward as you lift his leg upward; step forward onto your left leg to reinforce your lifting action (# 2). Now using your left leg as a platform, move forward and deliver a hard straight snap kick with your trailing right leg directly into his groin.
Action B: If your right-handed parrying action against his attacking right arm prevents the enemy from continuing a kicking attack, reinforce your parry by stepping forward on your left foot in the direction of the parry, grasp his right wrist firmly, and pull him forward (# 2). His reaction will be to try to straighten up and to pull back, away from your right hand grip. This you permit him to do, at the same time putting your left foot behind his right leg (# 3) and accelerating his backward movement by the combined force of your left arm thrusting against his upper body or face; release your right-hand grip as you do this (# 4).

Baru Pencak Silat Combat Situation

Situation I. The enemy, having struck at your midsection or face with a right-arm lunge punch, does not immediately withdraw the attacking arm (# 1).
Action A: Dodge the attack by moving outside the enemy's right arm, and step forward and to your left on your right foot, catching his attacking arm near the wrist with your right hand (use a from-the-top grasp, thumb down). Hold your left hand open near your chest, ready to block ally kick action he may initiate. Continue your movement around the outside of the enemy's right arm by pivoting on your right foot and placing your left well behind his advanced right foot; you and your enemy now face in approximately the same direction. With your right hand pull his attacking in toward you and at the same time drive your left fist, forearm, or elbow into his right elbow just above the joint; then quickly slip your left arm under his captured right arm (#2) and go on with your counteraction in any of the following ways:

1. Lift your enemy's right arm and lower your hips as you deliver a hard left elbow side strike to his rib cage or midsection (# 3).
2. Disengage your right hand grip, keeping that arm in readiness to block his right arm should it be used against you, and push him away from you with your left hand placed just above his right elbow or drive a left spear hand into his throat or eyes (# 4).
3. Move further behind him and bring his captured right arm down, keeping your right-hand grasp as you pull his arm in toward your body. Place your left leg deeply between his legs from the rear and wedge your left hip tightly against the right half of his lower back. Reach your left hand up and around his back so as to be free to slap the left side of his head with your left palm or to strike the outside of his left shoulder (# 5-# 6). He will respond by raising his left arm, and as he does, jerk arm him forward with your right hand and put your left up behind his neck. You may now force arm under his left armpit so that you can run that arm against his upper body with your left arm and moving your right leg in front of him all the while retaining your right hand grasp of his right arm; if you now lock both his arms, your left hand is in a position to push down against the back of his trapped right arm (# 7-# 8).
   

Action B: As the enemy makes his right lunge punch, step back on your right leg and drop quickly onto your right knee, out of range of the punch. Keep your opened left hand in front of you to protect your face; your right hand, resting lightly on the ground, is not intended to support you (# 1). This position is, in fact, a ruse, the purpose of which is to induce the enemy to close with you by attacking with a forward snap kick, using his trailing left leg. When he does so, you must be quick to respond. Rise as the kick comes on toward you, jumping forward onto your left foot and thrusting your left hand, held in the form of a crane fist, downward and hard into his groin (# 2-# 4). If your groin attack has stopped him or toppled him backward, step forward on your right leg and deliver a straight snap kick into his groin with your right foot (action not illustrated). If your groin attack has not been altogether successfully, you must be prepared to block the continued forward motion of his left leg kicking action by driving both elbows into his upraised left knee, just above the kneecap (# 5). It is also possible that even if your groin attack is successful (# 4), he will shift his weight back onto his left leg and attempt a kicking or kneeing action with his right leg; should he do so, scoop the leg up into your arms and heave him backwards (# 6).

Patai Pencak Silat Combat Situation

Situation I. You and your enemy are within kicking and grasping range; both of you stand on your right legs, with your raised left legs bent at the knee as though ready to kick. You make a decoy forward snap kick with your left foot, and the enemy, in attempting to evade it, prepares to parry or block it downward with his left arm; as a result you have been able to grasp his left fingers. The enemy draws up his left leg to protect his groin (# 1). Reference: Training Exercise 3.
Action: Retracting your left leg, which has been engaged in the decoy action, bring it back to your left rear corner in a wide forceful sweep-step action and at the same time pull the enemy, with a snap, to his right front comer by using the combined power of your right hand and body. He should, at this, lose balance and lurch forward, placing his right hand down in front of him to save himself from falling; double his left arm up behind him in hammerlock fashion using your left arm placed over the back of his captured arm to assist the action (# 2). His reaction will be to rise, moving forward and pulling against the force you are exerting; as he does, take hold of his captured left arm at the wrist with your left hand, simultaneously kicking against the inside of his extended left leg with your right heel; with a powerful snap you can drag him to the ground where he can be finished with a knife-edge hand against his spine (neck) and or his face can be smashed into the ground by the action of your left hand against the back of his head (# 3-# 4).

Situation 2. Engaged with your enemy at close quarters, you have managed to capture his right arm, as shown (# 1).
Action: Take a wide step on your left foot to your left front corner and with both arms snap-pull the enemy to the ground; then immediately release your grip on his arm and take hold of his head in your hands (# 2). You may now complete the action in one of two ways. One is to twist his neck sharply around to his left as you hurl him to your own left and to the ground, where further twisting would result in breaking his neck (# 3). The other way would be to release his neck (as shown in # 2) and the instant he crumples onto his right side, drop quickly to the ground onto your own right side, away from him, but close enough to deliver a hard thrust kick into his head with your left leg (# 4).

Situation 3. You and your enemy have faced each other in right stances; he closes in on you, swinging his trailing left I leg in a low straight-legged kick at your groin or kneecap. Reference Training Exercise 5.
Action A: At his kick, retreat by withdrawing your advanced right leg, keeping your weight well forward and assuming a left lunge stance; simultaneously swing both arms in front of you, starting wide from your left; hold both hands open, with your palms to the left, so that your knuckles face inward toward the coming target-that is, your enemy's left leg, now attacking (#I). Swing your left hand hard, forming an inverted reverse fist on impact with the enemy's inner shinbone; the action should be that of a whiplash. Keep your right hand prepared to reinforce blocking action, or continue other countermeasures.
Action B: After successfully blocking, as described in Action A, go immediately into a counterattack. Deliver a frontal leg sickle attack with your withdrawn right leg, swinging it in roundhouse fashion. You do not aim at the enemy's advanced left leg until after he has stepped down and has put weight on it. Then use your instep to hook around the outside and behind, just above the ankle or the back of his knee, to reap him off of his feet by a strong hooking action to your left (# 2). Note that the enemy has succeeded in disengaging his left leg (the leg which you were attacking) and has brought it back. Your sickle action, thus, was a bit too late, but it did serve to prevent the enemy from further attacks, such as kicking you with his right leg. Note also that he made use of a reinforced open hand tactic to block your sickle leg

Hand Formation of Karate-Do | Nakadaka-ken

Nakadaka-ken is called for middle-knuckle fist

Harimau Pencak Silat Combat Situation

Situation 1. Your enemy having taken a right stance and being momentarily motionless, you, the defender (right) have stepped into a deep right stance to quarter away from him, apparently exposing the back of your right side (# 1). References: Training Exercises 7, 8-H, and 4. Action: Whirl to your left, using your right leg as a pivot, and attempt a reverse sickle heel kick into your enemy's midsection, head (as illustrated), or groin (# 2). Your enemy evades your kick by swaying backward just out of range; you complete your whirling action through a half circle and then take to the ground, where, using your right hand as a support, you roll your body over and sit down with your legs extended (# 3). Your enemy counterattacks immediately, kicking at your head with his trailing left leg; you evade the kick by the combined action of slightly twisting your body to the left and parrying his leg in toward his center line with your right hand, held open; your left hand, placed on the ground, supports this evasive tactic, and your left leg, at the same time, is drawn up (# 4). Your parrying action having spun the enemy around to his right, he tries to take advantage of the momentum by making a half circle, using his left leg as a pivot, in order to reverse sickle heel kick you in the head with his right leg; before he can complete the turn, drive a hard side thrust kick with your right foot into his groin (# 5). If you cannot reach his groin, make your target the inside of his left thigh at the rear, just above the knee. Either contact should topple him.

Situation 2. You and your enemy square off in right stances (# 1); he sees you moving to the right and attacks by kicking with his trailing left leg. Reference: Training Exercise 7.
Action A: Using his left leg, he aims a roundhouse kick at our right side or midsection which you avoid by stopping your forward movement and pivoting back around to your left (# 2). The pursuing enemy quickly puts his left leg to the ground in front of you, where, using it as a pivot, he whirls around backwards to his right in an attempt to aim a right foot reverse sickle heel kick at your back; this you evade by going into a forward lunge step (left knee up), dropping to the ground, using both hands for support in front of you, and keeping an eye on your enemy (# 3). When his reverse sickle action misses its target, he follows its momentum into a crouching position, facing you; remain on the ground and continue to watch him but lower body still further (# 4). The enemy now attempts to rise (8 5-# 6). As he does, you leap into him and knock him backward to the ground, completing your response to the situation by clawing his face or some other appropriate action (# 7).
Action B: This follows the action given above until your enemy begins to rise from the ground (# 8), at which point you spring high into the air to hurl your body against him after he is upright. You may, at the same time, find the opportunity to aim a side thrust kick at his midsection, groin, or kneecap (# 9).

Situation 3. You and your enemy circle each other in a clockwise manner; he closes in on you, threatening a . kicking attack (# 1-# 2). References Training Exercises 4, 5,6, 7-A, and 8-C.
Action: Sink to the ground, using your right hand for support and fold your right leg beneath you, your instep behind your left knee (# 3). As your enemy approaches for the kick, swing your right leg free from under you and fake a forward movement with it toward him, at the same time continuing to support yourself on your right hand (# 4). Now shift your weight onto your left leg, turning your body to the right at you execute a fake reverse sickle heel kick with your right leg to stop the enemy's kick (thrust type shown in the illustration) as well as his advance (# 5). As he dodges to his left, lower yourself quickly to the ground onto your right buttock, your weight thrown well forward, and your left leg bent, foot well up under your left buttock (# 6); continue to support yourself on your right arm. Swing your left leg in roundhouse fashion, using a hard frontal sickle in step kick, at the enemy's platform right leg; drop your buttocks to the ground, support yourself on your right elbow and forearm, rolling a hit to your right to do this. Your enemy dodges by quickly shifting his weight and raising the attacked leg (# 7). Putting his right foot to the ground again, the enemy now pivots on it so that he faces you and delivers an immediate thrust kick with his left leg; use your left hand to parry or block the kick if necessary, but your chief evasive action should be change of posture; move away from the kick by stepping your left leg across the front of your body and over your right leg, which rests on the ground; pull yourself into a more upright position and support your body once again on your right hand (# 8). The relentless enemy now jumps in toward you, hopping on his platform right leg, to deliver still another forward thrust kick with his left leg; this you evade by lying back, supporting yourself on your right elbow and parrying the kick upward with your left arm (# 9). The subsequent action-delivering a side thrust kick upward into the enemy's groin with your left leg or a thrust into his right knee from the inside to knock him down-is shown in the sketch.

Situation 4. You are in a deep crouch as your enemy advances in an upright posture; when he is near enough, your right hand makes a grab at his advancing left ankle in an attempt to topple him (# 1). Reference: Training Exercise 4.
Action: Against the possible threat of a straight-line frontal snap kick with the enemy's trailing right leg, you rock back and cover yourself with your hands (# 2). The enemy takes advantage of your slight withdrawal and grabs your left brings your left leg upward, thus toppling you backward (# 3). He cleverly blocks your left leg with his left foot and prepares to rise a bit in order to deliver a forward snap kick into your face or midsection. You begin your counterattack by supporting yourself on your left elbow and swinging your right leg in roundhouse fashion (# 4). Deliver a hard frontal sickle kick with your right leg at his head (# 5) ; a thrust kick may also be used.

Situation 5. You lie alertly on the ground on your left side, your right leg extended toward your enemy who is approaching with caution (# 1). References: Training Exercises 6 and 7.
Action: As the enemy draws nearer, withdraw your right leg and change your position so that you are stomach down by turning to your left; move your left foot, leg bent, well forward as you keep watching the enemy (# 2-# 3). Now roll quickly to the right and, swinging your left leg in short roundhouse fashion, try to connect a frontal sickle heel kick with your enemy's knees or groin (# 4) ; this action will bring you around onto your left side, facing the enemy, and as you come into that position immediately thrust-drive your left foot at his advancing leg, using his knee as the target. The enemy has evaded your sickle and thrust kicks by disengaging his advanced leg, so draw up your right leg in order to deliver a forward snap kick, roundhouse kick, or thrust kick if he should approach any nearer; the enemy evades this threat by dropping low to the ground (# 5). Sit up and withdraw by bringing your legs up under you, rising into a deep crouch in order to meet the enemy as he rises (# 6-# 7). Maintaining the low crouch, turn squarely into him (# 8) and fake a deceptive forward step, as though you were about to jump at him. Having anticipated that forward movement, the enemy has responded by delivering a reverse sickle heel kick in the hope of catching you in the groin or midsection as you come forward ; he uses his left leg to attack, pivoting on his right; you evade the attack by thrusting your whole body forward under him, feet first, kicking him in the groin as he is midway through his reverse sickle kick action (# 9).

Combat Situations

The sampling of basic pencak-silat tactics that follows, Although presented in the form of hypothetical combat, is based on realistic occurrences that are fairly common. The situations and responses are intended to be utilized for purposes of self-defense, to be sure, but many of the situations may be put, just as they are shown, to the uses of sport (as for karate-do), while others may be modified with the same aim in mind.

Each of the tactics described is typical of the pencak-silat style from which it has been taken. It is, therefore, by no means the only solution to the given combative situation, since every other style would have its own answer to the problem; the answer given may, in fact, not even be the best-but it will, nonetheless, be found effective, and it is representative of its particular style: its exponents found it adequate to meet the situation described.

Although pencak-silat is a defensive art, it recognizes the truth of the old adage that "the best defense is a good offense?". In some of the situations that follow. Therefore, the fighter designated as the defender will be found to be more nearly an aggressor than the enemy he faces. The trainee should have no difficulty distinguishing between the offensive and defensive actions of the designated defender. The combative action in this final chapter is intended to suggest the "silat" part of pencak-silat-in other words, the real fight; but in actuality, for reanons of safety, only the high-spirited hut controlled pencak action has been photographed. It is nonetheless distinct from the pencak-silat training exercises of the preceding chapter in the sense that all the photographs are of free-fighting action. It is based on the training exercises, and is, in fact, an application of the skills that they are designed to impart. It is obvious that without adequate knowledge of the training exercises, and sufficient practice in them, there can be no free-fighting pencak skills-nor any effective silat. For these reasons, the reader is strongly advised to master the previous chapters thoroughly before he attempts the combative situations and actions described in this final chapter. Where the combative situation is based on a particular training exercise, reference to that exercise will be given; if there is no reference, the trainee may go ahead with the combative action without directly consulting the preceding chapter-but he must realize that a thorough knowledge of its contents is essential to skillful action in the situations that follow.

Hand Formation of Karate-Do | Seiken

Seiken is called for forefist.

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 13

This is another Perisai Diri exercise designed to develop the evasive skills described at the beginning of Training Exercise 12, but completing that maneuver with more severe measures.

METHOD A. At any appropriate time, as you complete the jumping tactic described in Training Exercise 12 (# 4), hook your left hand in beak hand fashion (see # 1 and Fig. 6) around the left side of your partner's neck, at the same time lifting your right leg (# 2). Step to your right and swing your partner circularly to your left rear as you put your right foot onto the ground. After he falls, finish him with a knife-edge hand strike to his neck or to the side of his head (# 3).

METHOD B. As preparation for the toppling action, put your left hand to his face and with a tiger claw hand simulate a gouging action to the eyes and soft tissues of his face (# 4).

METHOD C. Again, using the tiger claw hand, grasp your partner's head with both hands and swing him backward to the ground; simulate twisting his neck with a sharp wrenching action (# 1-# 3). # 4illustrates the Harimau pencak-silat equivalent.

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 12

This is a composite exercise which takes the single skills learned in Training Exercises 9-C and 11, adding to them one more evasive tactic. This exercise is typically one of the Perisai Diri style. It must be done with staccato rhythm.

METHOD: Evade your partner's right arm thrust to your midsection or face (# 1). As he continues his attack, trying to butt you with his shoulder and strike a fist into your groin, evade him again (# 2-# 3). These are the precise actions of Training Exercise 11. From your partner's position in # 3, he tries to backhand you with his right elbow or fist. As he does this, jump forward around behind his right side, stepping with your right leg first; block his attacking right arm with your left hand, palm open, and/or your right forearm, pushing hard against his attacking arm from above his elbow (# 4). As he turns clockwise to face you, move quickly once again around his right side and to his rear (# 5). As he turns again, both of you come finally face to face; your combative posture is that of the tiger, his that of the dragon (# 6).

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 11

Perisai Diri exponents use this exercise to develop rapid responses to close infighting tactics. A rhythmic exercise, linking those skill? learned earlier to yet another action. The entire sequence provides a valuable drill.

METHOD. Face your training partner. As he lunges forward and thrusts his right arrowhead fist at your midsection, execute the evasive action of Training Exercise 9, as shown in # 1. Your partner continues his attack by trying to drive his shoulder into your midsection and then striking you in the groin with his back or bottom fist (shown) as you back away (he is using Training Exercise 10) just as is shown in # 2. At his attack, jump lightly to your left rear corner by pivoting on your left foot and carrying your right leg around behind you. Both of your hands push simultaneously, knife edges against his attacking right arm, just above the elbow (# 3). Use his force of attack as resistance to propel yourself backwards into a left combative posture; use both of your hands held open, knife edges facing your partner, anticipating further attack (# 4).

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 10

This simple Perisai Diri method is used as basic training to develop a coordinated shoulder blocking shock effect and groin attack.

METHOD. Stand quartering into your training partner, using a right combative posture; your right arm hangs downward, protecting your groin as your left arm is held raised, bent at the elbow, hand open, palm facing your partner at the level of your right breast (# 1 ) . Step directly between your partner's legs with your right foot and lunge your body into him so that your shoulder contacts his chest bone or solar plexus (# 2). Drive hard enough to knock him backwards, off-balance (# 3). As he topples, extend your right arm, hand held as a fist; simulate striking him in the groin with a back or bottom fist (# 4) ; be prepared to deliver successive blows to his groin and even be ready to butt him in the face with your head if he doubles forward.

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 9

The Perisai Diri exponent makes highly effective use of deceptive hand and arm tactics; following the style's characteristic combative postures, he may have\his arms at either a high or low level at the time of the enemy's attack. The following exercises are aimed to develop basic Perisai Diri arm and hand skills for dealing with thrust punches or kicking actions directed toward the groin, midsection, or facial areas. Note that this tactic, although it may be used against either the inside or the outside of the attacking weapon, always prefer e latter since it affords greatest protection.
METHOD A. Stand facing your training partner. At his thrust punch (arrowhead fist shown) made with his right arm, and aimed at your midsection, pass both of your arms under his attacking arm, but below his elbow, hands held open (# 1). Swing both of your arms upward together and circularly over against the outside of his attacking right arm; fling his arm offto your right front corner; step in that direction with your right foot to reinforce your arm action (# 2-# 4). Terminate your counteraction by bringing both hands held as tiger claw hands to simulate gouging your partner's eyes or rending his facial areas (# 5-# 6) This sequence is shown from the opposite side to clarify its mechanics (# 7-# 11).

METHOD B. Stand facing your training partner with one arm raised overhead. Let him kick at your midsection using a straight-line forward snap kick. high kick, or heel thrust kick (shown) as in # 1. Just before his attacking foot arrives on target, swing both of your arms against the outside of his kicking leg (right shown) and sweep it forcefully away, by use of your open hands (palms contacting his leg), to your right front corner and downward; step forward with your right foot in the direction you swing your arms (# 2-# 3 ) .

METHOD C. As you face your training partner, he thrusts his right arrowhead fist toward your midsection or facial area, lunging forward to reinforce it. Move your left foot out wide to your left front as you pass your right arm under his attacking arm; raise your free left arm overhead, keeping the elbow slightly bent, hand open.(# 1). Parry his attack to your right and downward as you bring your right arm circularly against his arm; twist your hips a bit to your right to reinforce your arm action (# 2-# 3). After completing the parrying action, your right arm provides a covering action so that the enemy cannot attack again with his right arm unless he first disengages it; your left arm remains held high, palm open as a threat to his facial areas (# 4). This sequential action showing a full view of the bodies is illustrated in # 6 and # 7. Study the details of this important evasion tactic from a different camera angle (# 8 - # 11). The tactic works well against kicking attacks (# 5).

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 8

The posture of sitting on the ground is the most truly characteristic of pencak-silat tactics; it is found in all major orthodox styles, although some have tended to minimize its use. Despite the variety of ways in which it may be employed, the basic factor, common to all styles, is that it is a deceptive tactic, a clever ruse by means of which you hope to lure your enemy into thinking he has found a momentary weakness in your defense. The following exercises allow the trainee to practice the basic forms of the posture of sitting on the ground and give some elementary applications as well. By means of the exercises, the trainee may develop a fine sense of balance, good judgment of distance, and unexpected strength and flexibility of leg and hip. The physical exertion involved in the exercises is valuable enough, but when they are correctly performed, smoothly and rapidly, they become the foundation for efficient fighting tactics. Four pencaksilat styles have been studied to describe the mechanics of this ground posture, the importance of which cannot be overemphasized. As a preliminary remark to the methods given below, it should be noted that the posture has two aspects. One, called depok, results from the withdrawal of the forward leg of your combative posture and bringing it in front of your platform leg as you retreat from the enemy and lower your body to the ground; or you may advance, bringing your trailing leg forward but behind the leading leg of your combative posture as you lower yourself. The other aspect, the opposite process of leg positioning, is called sempok. Here you bring the leading leg behind your platform leg as you retreat and lower your body to the ground ; or advancing, you bring the trailing leg forward and place it ahead of the leading leg as you lower your body.
Both depok and sempok must be practiced until they can be performed with flexibility and power as you advance or retreat from both right and left combative postures.

METHOD A. The following exercise is used for depok training on the island of Madura; it is in the Pamur style. Stand in any combative posture (right posture is shown in # I ) . Shift all your weight to your left leg and retreat from the enemy by bringing your advanced right leg back and in toward your platform left leg j# 2). Draw your right leg up by bending the knee so that you are standing on your left leg; maintain balance by means of your arms (# 3). Quickly bring your raised right leg in front of your platform left leg as you lower your body (# 4). Sit down on the ground, with your weight evenly distributed and your arms in protective position to block or parry (# 5). Rise quickly and smoothly by reversing the action and return to your original combative posture.

METHOD B. The Maduran Pamur style of sempok in this exercise begins, for the sake of simplicity, from a right combative posture (# 1). Retreat by withdrawing your advanced right leg and bringing it up to your platform left leg (# 2). Bend your right leg at the knee and bring it behind 7 your left (# 3). Put your right foot down somewhat to the left and sink to the ground ($4 4). You must sit with your weight evenly distributed. Rise by reversing these movements and return to your original combative posture.

METHOD C. The Madurese Pamur, exponent executes the depok in retreat from his enemy by kicking as he rises. Assume the depok in Method A (# 1). Rise quickly (# 2); as your weight falls onto your left leg, twist to your right and swing your right leg forward into a frontal snap kick action; your platform foot pivots a bit toward the enemy, and your arms help to maintain balance as you kick (# 3).

METHOD D. The basic Madurese Pamur sempok exercise is also given an applicable meaning by means ofa kick action. Begin from sempok as would be taken from a left combative posture (see sketch). Rise quickly (# 1) ; and, as your weight falls on your right leg, swine your left leg forward into a frontal high kick (# 2).

METHOD E. If the Madurese Pamur exponent is in a sempok (taken from the right combative posture shown), he can rise quickly and hold a new combative posture which threatens kicking by side thrust action (# 2-# 3).

METHOD F. Exponents of the Bhakti Negara style also come out of sempok posture in various ways. First, assume a sempok taken from the left combative posture (# 1) ; them rise quickly until you attain the position shown in # 6. At this point, according to the situation confronting you, you may do one of several things:

1. kick directly forward with your withdrawn left leg in snap kick fashion or use a high kick (neither action is illustrated) ;
2. step forward on your left foot and then quickly deliver a forward snap kick with your right foot (# 7) ;
3. step forward on your left leg and then quickly raise your right leg in a new combative posture that offers a threat to the enemy (# 8).
   

These three actions are, naturally, reversible; that is to say, you may use them to go from a standing posture to the sempok. In all actions, pay particular attention to protective arm and hand actions.

METHOD G. The Bhakti Negara exponent will on occasion combine changes of combative posture and position with the sempok. First, assume any right combative posture (# 1). The next maneuver may take one of two forms: you may make a wide step directly your right with your right leg, swinging it in a short arc to your right rear (# 2), before going down into sempok (# 4-# 6) ; or you may pivot on your left leg (which is to the rear) and swing your right leg back 180º so that you assume a left combative posture (# 3) before going down into sempok (# 4-# 6 ) . By reversing the actions, you come from sempok back to your original right combative posture (shown in # 1). Here, too, special attention must be paid to arm and hand action.

METHOD H. Perisai Diri makes use of the sempok position from which to deliver a thrust kicking action. First, assume a sempok from the left combative posture (# 1). Then drop your body to the left and front, hugging the ground, supporting yourself with both hands, and letting your left buttock touch the ground; simultaneously deliver a thrust kick with your right leg (# 2). Now spring to your feet as quickly as possible using the thrust of both arms (action not shown). Since your kick should, obviously, be aimed at some vital portion of the enemy's anatomy (knee, groin, midsection, rib area), the target you choose (if you &e dealing with only one enemy) should be to your right and somewhat to the rear. However, if you are confronted by two enemies, you may face directly into one (as in # 1) and attack the other provided he is behind you and to the right.

METHOD I. Cingrik exponents of west Java often use the sempok in order to rise quickly, aim a false kick, step down, and attack with their arms and hands. From the sempok taken from a right combative posture (# l), rise as speedily as possible and fake a kick with your advancing right leg (# 2-# 3) ; then step down quickly in a long lunge forward (# 4-# 5). Of particular importance here are the arm and hand actions based on those of the fighting monkey (ngrik
who claws at his enemy's vitals (usually the throat and groin).

Hand Formation of Karate-Do | Ippon-ken

Ippon-ken is called for one-knuckle fist

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 7

Perisai Diri pencak-silat exponents can deliver a reverse leg sickle heel kick with speed efficiency. This exercise lays the foundation for that tactic.

Method. Assume a right stance, your right side quartering into training partner (#1). Step forward on your right foot (#2), and, as you put your weight on it, bend forward from the waist and with your trailing left leg swing a reverse sickle kick around behind you (#3). Aim to place a heel kick into your training partner’s groin as protection against counterattacks to that vital region; your left arm remains free, so that if you lose your balance or are knocked down, it will offer you support on the ground. As with exercise 6, your training partner becomes more active as you acquire greater skill in the execution of the maneuver.

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 6

Among the leg tactics that the Perisai Diri style has borrowed from Sumatra is the reverse leg sickle action executed from the ground. The basic mechanics of this interesting and powerful skill may be learned from this exercise.

METHOD. Facing your training partner from a left combative posture, step forward onto your left foot, deeply to his left and behind him (# 1). Now quickly turn your body a bit to your left and drop onto your right knee, supporting yourself with both hands on the ground (# 2). Swing your extended left leg in an arc behind you, using a sickle motion against the back of your partner's leg just above the ankle and below the calf (# 3). Continue the sickle action until you topple your partner to the ground; if the action has been correctly executed, he will fall backward (# 4). Sometimes he will contrive to keep his balance but at the same time will be so unstable as to allow you to stand quickly behind him and knee or kick him with your right leg in either the groin or the base of the spine (# 5). The entire action must be completed quickly. At first, the training partner submits to the action; later, he will try to remain on his feet. The initial position (# 1) may be voluntary or it may be the result of a slip; it is best taken when the enemy is in a left stance.

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 5

The Harimau style of west-central Sumatra attempts to emulate the movements of the tiger from which it takes its name. The following exercise, basic to the Harimau style, has been designed to develop continuous and rapid alternate frontal leg sickle kicking abilities from a ground position.

METHOD For the purpose of this exercise, your training partner, whom you face, is required to move backward in any natural or convenient manner; he must play a purely defensive role, blocking or avoiding your sickle kick actions; he should, however, try to stay as close in to you as is safe, so that he may learn to cope with this particular maneuver; and he may use his hands or evasive stepping actions to avoid being kicked. From a left stance (# l), drop to the ground, supporting yourself on your left hand; hold your right hand out, palm toward your partner, to ward off possible aggressive actions (# 2). As you begin to bring your trailing right leg forward, place your right hand on the ground for added support; then swing your right leg in roundhouse fashion, trying to strike your instep against the outside of your partner's forward leg (at the knee or below) with enough power to hook or reap his leg out from under him (# 3). Stabilizing your body now with both hands and using your bent left knee on the ground as a pivot, roll your body a bit to your left. Your aim is to deliver another kick with your left leg, similar to the one just described, to the other side of your partner's body. To do this, withdraw your right leg somewhat, planting it firmly on the ground in front of you and a bit to your left; twist your body to the right and place your right hand on the ground for support; as your weight shifts more onto your right hand and leg, swing your left leg in roundhouse kick fashion, rolling your body to the right and placing your left hand near your right for added support; your right knee now acts as the pivot (# P# 5). Force your partner backward in this manner as fast as you can. Learn not only to use your instep to hook but also the ball of your foot to kick against your partner's knee joint.

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 4

The Setia Hati style of central Java lays the greatest emphasis on combative leg actions. The exercise given here provides useful training in balance as well as in the ability to deliver a kick from the ground, a posture that might be the result of intentional positioning or accidental slipping or being knocked down by an enemy.

METHOD A. From the ground posture shown in # 1, swing your right leg in roundhouse kick fashion, high enough to strike the groin or midsection of an enemy who has closed in on you. Continue the kick so that it revolves your whole body, as shown in # 2 and # 3. Rise to your feet with a complete revolution of your body, first putting your weight on your right leg and letting your left leg "float" (# 4), then quickly shift your weight onto your left leg and deliver a forward snap kick with your right foot (# 5).

METHOD B. From the same ground posture (# 1) and the initial action (# 2), the roundhouse kick can be made intentionally unsuccessful, so as to fool the enemy and avoid his attack. Then, with both your hands on the ground, spring into a right-hand combative posture (# 6 # 7).

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 3

This leg and arm tactic of the Patai pencak-silat style from west-central Sumatra is an interesting one. It is an exercise designed to develop balance in the trainee and sensitivity to changes in the enemy's posture.

METHOD. YOU and your training partner are facing each other as you stand on your right legs; your left arms are engaged, with the hands open with the knife edges or wrists pressing against each other (# 1). Your raised left legs may be correspondingly engaged (not shown), with the outer ankle surfaces against each other. Either training partner may, without warning, change his stance, and the other must immediately respond by following suit, so that arms and perhaps legs are engaged as before (# 2). By pressure, pushing and pulling arm against arm and leg against leg, each partner tries to throw the other off-balance or make him lower his raised leg to the ground in order to retain balance. At any time a partner may disengage his arm, using it to push or pull the other off-balance (although without grasping the other's garments), or he may choose to disengage his raised leg, either simultaneously with an arm movement or not, and set it on the ground-provided that by so doing he tumbles his partner or at least brings him down to one knee (# 3-# 4). The free arm may be used to pull or push only after the leg been lowered.

Note that in # 3, the training partner on the right side has disengaged and, after lowering his right foot to the ground, has shoved his right arm against the left side of his partner's chest. In # 4, he has used his right leg as a pivot over which he topples his partner. The hand and arm actions of the "victor" are noteworthy: as his left wrist is held by his partner's left hand, he is tugging to extend that arm, and he has put his right arm under the left arm of his downed partner. He completes his toppling action by flinging his right arm upward and to the right front (# 5).

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 2

A west-central Sumatran tactic of the Kumango style, this exercise is intended to develop a deceptive forward stepping action which may be instantly transformed into a forward straight-line snap kick. It is a tactic designed for use on sandy ground or terrain with a loose topsoil, where footing is precarious and movement less quick than on hard, flat ground. Variations of this technique may be used to force an enemy backwards.

METHOD. Assume a Kumango-style combative posture as you step forward with your right foot. Stretch your left arm out parallel to the ground, with the opened palm facing a bit forward and downward. Slap the inside of your upper right thigh with your right palm (# 1). If the enemy has closed in quickly, and if you are on natural terrain, drop quickly into a low crouch, scoop up loose earth or stones, and fling them into the enemy’s face to drive him backward (# 2). This tactic may be omitted if it seems unnecessary. Now rise immediately and bring your trailing left foot forward, slapping the upper part of your left thigh with your left palm; your right hand and arm are carried well forward, anticipating blocking or parryings requirements (# 3) ; fake a forward snap kick with your left leg before you actually put it down (# 4). Immediately begin taking another step forward with your right foot and carry your left arm out to your left side as before; again slap your upper right thigh with your right hand (# 5). As you place your right foot on the ground, quickly shift your weight onto it and deliver a forceful forward snap kick with your trailing left leg which now goes directly into the kick instead of making another fake kick or step (# 6 and # 7). The Kumango sequence of forward step, fake kick, forward step, and then the actual kick, supposes that the enemy is retreating; the illustrations show the minimum movement, which can, of course, be lengthened to as many steps and fake kicks as may seem appropriate to the situation.

Pencak Silat Training Exercise 1

This is an exercise in alertness, speed, balance, and agility. The Perisai Diri style of east Java uses it extensively to equip trainees with the ability to deal effectively with surprise attacks from behind or from the sides; it is ideal training also in learning how to handle more than one assailant. Perisai Diri exponents are particularly well known for their ability to change direction quickly and-through the use of such abrupt body changes-to move speedily and effectively into new lines of attack or defense.

Method A. Stand naturally with your arms at your sides; your straddle stance reflects the fact that you are not expecting an attack (#1). At a verbal signal (such as a shout) from a training partner, jump high into the air and, as you do, turn either to the right or to the left (a left turn is illustrated in (#2), so that you land on your feet in any fighting posture that seems most suitable to you (#3).

Methods B and C. You are already in a combative posture as though engaged with an enemy. On signal, jump and turn so as to land in either the same combative posture (shifting to right or left if you desire) or an entirely different one, such as would be necessary if you were being attacked by another assailant. (#4-#5 and#6-#8)

In this exercise, no matter which method you employ, your leap and turn while in the air must result in your facing a wholly new direction-that, in fact, of your new enemy (in this case, of course, your training partner). The trainee should practice turns of at least ninety degrees, and he will probably find it useful (as Indonesian do) to punctuate all jumps with a loud, intimidating shout.

Pencak Silat Training Exercise

No training exercise described here is merely an isolated rehearsal in agility or clever movement; each is directly related to some particular fighting tactic. The reader is advised to pay special attention to the textual description of the exercise as well as to the illustrations, for sometimes the limitations of photography have canceled the authors efforts to record as faithfully as possible what was being enacted before the lens, and, in such cases, the written word must be relied on to impact information that the photographs fail to show.

Pencak-silat begins, naturally enough, as we have already indicated, with empty-hand pencak training exercises. The trainee should practice each exercise precisely and slowly until he begins to feel that he is gaining confidence in the technique. When he is satisfied that he is doing exactly what the text calls for, then he attempts to inject into his execution of the exercise first fluency and then speed. It is only constant repetition that will enable him to perform the exercise accurately, smoothly, and quickly. He must repeat each training exercise over and over again until it feels "comfortable"; any other feeling means that he is still short of his goal.

The student will find that many of the exercises given here are in dispensible to correct performance of some of the combative actions described in the following chapter, but not all exercises are directly linked to the action shown there. Some have been given merely because they are obviously useful and may be easily converted to combat. In such cases, it is for the trainee to devise his own applications.

In any case, he must always bear in mind that the soft and silky, yet precise, movements of the pencak-silat expert are the result of many hours of dedicated study and practice. A good share of the expert's training time is devoted to exercises, many of which appear in this chapter. Unless the trainee is prepared to devote himself with similar wholeheartedness to the training exercises, he cannot hope to master the combative tactics described in the chapter that follows.

• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 1
• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 2
• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 3
• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 4
• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 5
• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 6
  
• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 7
  
• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 8
  
• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 9
  
• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 10
  
• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 11
  
• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 12
  
• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 13
• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 14
• Pencak Silat Training Exercise 15

Pamur Pencak Silat

This, the major orthodox style of Madura, has borrowed its tactics largely from the Riouw Archipelago and from the Minangkabau and Aceh peoples of Sumatra. The Pamur stylist deftly evades attack and at the same time delivers a powerful countermeasure. He relies a lot on misdirecting the attacker's energy and then catching the attacking arm or leg so as to render it harmless before he counterattacks. The ardor of the Madurese Pamur fighter combines with his. physical fitness to keep his fearsome reputation unblemished.

Bhakti Negara Pencak Silat

Efficient fighting forms are the keynote of this style of combat, and all its exponents are skilled technicians, at home in an upright position or on the ground. Evasive action is covered by clever arm and hand tactics using both the open and the closed hand. Bhakti Negara fighters are also masters of cunning. Should an unsuspecting enemy grasp an arm that seemed to be inadvertently offered, he will be slapped-not to loosen the grip but rather to distract him long enough so that he will be unaware that the real countermeasure is already being applied.

Bali

The reputation of the people of Bali-that they are unaggressive and shy-appears to be well founded; they are reluctant to be prodded into the state of mind that is essential to a fight, yet once they are aroused, their ardor is equal to that of any other racial group of Indonesians. Their combative postures are fierce, and their fighting is skillful, featuring a good balance between arm and leg tactics.

Bhakti Negara Pencak Silat

Perisai Diri Pencak Silat

This east Javanese fighting form is the most staccato in rhythm of all pencak-silat styles. Its abrupt movements are made possible by exceptionally upright combative postures which constitute a large part of its wide range of tactics. Perisai Diri is essentially a hand and arm system, which, When combined with its upright combative postures, provides some of the cleverest and most effective defenses known to man. The Perisai Diri fighter does not exclude leg tactics but the ones he chooses have their technical roots deep in Sumatran pencak-silat. Making use of combative postures selected from both human and animal positions, Perisai Diri exponents exhibit a speed of hand and arm movements second to none

Setia Hati Pencak Silat

This system, based essentially on leg tactics, arose in central Java. Its combative postures are designed to make the enemy expect retaliation by hands and arms and be unaware of the imminence of a powerful kick. The Selia Hati exponent will pretend to slip quietly away from his assailant and to be willing to accept defeat; then suddenly he will surprise his overconfident enemy with well-directed and powerful kicking actions. From any position, either upright or on the ground, the Setia Hati fighter is a dangerous enemy.

Cingrik Pencak Silat

Inasmuch as the wild monkey of west Java has inspired this particular style of fighting, it seeks to imitate that animal in combat and is essentially, therefore, an arm and hand system. To this it adds certain unique combative postures. As might be expected, the system is highly acrobatic and seeks to baffle the enemy by surprise attack and speed of movement. The Cingrik exponent is able to leap full-length at an upright enemy from a position of sitting on the ground. His two chief targets are the throat and groin, and he will claw at these viciously, attempt to tear them apart with his open hands, and even bite them.

Hand Formation of Karate-Do | Tettsui

Tetsui is called for bottom fist.

Mustika Kwitang Pencak Silat

Also to be found in west Java, but centering around the metropolitan Jakarta area, this dynamic method of fighting is an extremely powerful system that is not content with mere evasive actions, no matter how clever they may be. It dedicates all the forces of the body to the fury of a counterattack, and from its dramatic combative postures derives the explosive force that, when fully released, will subdue most enemies. This system of pencak-silat achieves a good balance between arm and leg tactics; although it may perhaps favor the former, it is realistic enough to prepare for an enemy who fights primarily with his feet, and it can, retaliate in the same manner. By working at the task of toughening both hands and feet, the Mustika Kwitang exponent can generate enough power to smash a coconut with one blow-and he can apply a similar force with great accuracy against his enemy's vital regions.

Cimande Pencak Silat

Though developed in the wet lowlands, this fighting form is now confined almost exclusively to the Sundanese people of west Java, a rural, mountainous region. Cimande postures are less upright than those of other Javanese pencak-silat systems, and movements are made cautiously, as though the fighter were trying to avoid wet and slippery spots on the ground. The flexibility that Cimande combative postures permit is ideally suited to meet an enemy who rushes in hard to the attack. Through clever use of hand and arm parrying actions, the Cimande fighter meets the initial attack, then neutralizes it by further covering action, and finally-and virtually simultaneously delivers his counterattack.

Baru Pencak Silat

This is a relatively new style that comes from the coastal Padang area. It achieves a balance between arm and leg techniques, making use of combative postures adapted to all types of terrain. As its chief preference, however, seems to be for grappling tactics, the exponent of the Baru style depends on secure footholds. He likes to dig his feet into the soil, and does so from static postures so that this is not noticed by the enemy. From these braced footholds, the Baru fighter moves with speed and power before the enemy can mount his attack.

A Pencak-Silat Exponent Concentrates On The Center-Line Vital Areas

Weapons used in pencak-training and in silat-applications are of two chief types: anatomical (empty-hand or unarmed responses, making use of parts of the body); and implemental (armed responses, making use of tools as well as weapons). Customarily, training is first devoted to basic drills utilizing only anatomical weapons, and not until the trainee is adequately skilled in their application does he progress to other types of weapons. The shift from one type of weapon to the other involves no great change in posture or movement, for pencak-silat anticipates the possible use of, implemental weapons, and all empty-hand movements when correctly performed may, with equal effectiveness and safety, be used with implemental weapons.

Let us consider, first, some of the anatomical weapons available. The choice of the part of the body to be used is very much as in karate-do, but the formation of the weapon is not necessarily quite the same, nor is the choice of target area. A pencak-silat exponent concentrates on the so-called center-line vital areas, regarding the most vulnerable part of the enemy's body as falling within an imaginary band looped around the longitudinal plane from the top of the head to the base of the groin; the width of this imaginary band is equivalent to the width of the enemy's head.

The Unique Features of Pencak-Silat

One of the unique features of pencak-silat is its recognition of the importance of the various weapons available to the fighter and its freedom in permitting him to choose whichever seems most suitable to the particular occasion. By making correct use of the weapon he has chosen, the pencak-silat exponent shapes the attacks of his enemy (or enemies), rendering them harmless, even if only momentarily, until a conclusive counterattack can be delivered. Knowledge of the nature of the various weapons available enables the fighter to deal effectively with the one chosen by his enemy.

Patai Pencak Silat

Evolved in the mountainous Bukittinggi region of Sumatra, this is one of the most rhythmic of all styles. Its dancelike motion suggests less than maximum combative effectiveness, and its postures actually seem to invite attack, especially kicking attacks. Efficient hand blocking and parrying actions, however, worked from low crouching levels, render all but the cleverest kickr harmless; this is partly the result of the fact that the Patai fighter will always try to station himself on higher terrain than ir occupied by his enemy. All combative postures may serve as bases for kicking actions, but Patai maker another characteristic use of the legs. This is the employment of the foot to block or parry the attack of an enemy, especially if he is armed.