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.