DISARMING WEAPONS: FILIPINO STYLE
An Overview of the Concept By James A. Keating
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The catgories in the progression of disarming tactics that we teach at Combat Technologies Inc. revolves around a finite number of universal principles. These universal principles really work, they are not just dojo theory. First off let me say that no matter who you are or what you know, there is no sure fire means of procuring an enemies weapon from him, know that up front. Anytime you engage an armed opponent the chances are you will be injured. So, this is not saying these methods are good or bad, merely efficient They are used by us at Comtech and players of the various Filipino arts, the Russian "systema" methods also use them, as do Japanese Aikido practitioners. I find that those aspects of disarming I learned via the Filipino arts to make the best sense (for me) in training and development of counter-weapon skills. Because in the Filipino arts they teach not only physical skills but also encourage thought and the addition personal embellishments. Even the basics of Filipino style weapon disarming are considered to be advanced especially when they are compared to most of the sorry crap that people in classical martial arts circles have been passing off as counter weapon skills over the last twenty years.
A knife is the tool which is generally used to play this training progression exercise with your partner. Why a knife ? Because it is felt that if you can do this stuff against a knife ( possibly the deadliest close combat weapon ever created) then the other weapons you might face just fall in line behind the knife. It's an accurate logic gang based upon universal principles !
The general idea is that you must be able to go through 3 basic areas of disarming skills before moving on to the more advanced disarm training progression. Those three areas to have a handle on are:
A. Be able to engage the knife wielding attacker successfully.
B. Get control of his weapon, render it harmless to you.
C. Escape alive or be able to continue fighting
THE ADVANCED PROGRESSION
This training advanced progression I am sharing with you in this section can be done using any type of disarming method or technique or weapon. Just start by using one technique against a knife, then proceed to it's next logical version which is usually technically identical but produces a different end result. This is known as working the logic chain. It is a way really milking your techniques for all they are worth my friends. ( I have two tapes available on the subject of applying conceptual thinking to combat. The titles are: Conceptual Gold Vol. I and II ) Conceptual thinking really throws open the doors to true understanding, creativity and ability. Very early in your training with this method you begin to learn the tricks of how to teach yourself. You learn to process all of your incoming martial data through a matrix of universal actions culminating in a very effective level of confidence and fighting ability.
This unique training methodology soon saves you hours and dollars all the way around. You can pursue your training in depth from your own perspective and needs. Just as there are better ways to teach people things, there are also better ways for people to learn things as well. Listed below is the advanced disarm training progression we use at Comtech to get people good, quickly:
To Disarm and release (drop, the fastest)
To Disarm and retain (bargain, second attacker)
To Disarm to trap (Immobilize on any surface)
To Disarm and return (immediate reversal of energy and intent)
To Disarm and project (directionals, foot, 2nd attacker)
To Disarm to disarm: counter for counter level: (mirroring and random methods)
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BREAKDOWN:
The first on our list is disarm and release. This means that the goal of getting the weapon away from the bad guy has been accomplished. It's the quickest way possible. Bang ! Just knock it from his grasp and follow up on him. Don't let him regain control of it.
Second comes the disarm and retain, this may occur for several reasons. Perhaps you've retained the opponents weapon to defend yourself against further aggression from his friends. The art of Kali designates this point in the flow of combat as the "Bargaining Point". Maybe you will only retain his weapon as a souvenir.
Third is a tad bit more advanced and it crosses some lines into other zones. I refer to the disarm and trap phase. Why trap him at all many will ask ? Most people in the martial arts do not even think that trapping works. It's just more fancy cartoon Kung Foolery in their opinion. Immobilization of the limbs (trapping) (IE: In the case of a weapon bearing man, that particular limb over others) is the goal and it can be done. The concept of trapping works to develop your skills or to defend you in conflict, the key word being concept.
Fourth in line to learn is to disarm and return. This is perhaps the most lethal of all of the disarming methods and is often taught at the end of the training progression after a master has had plenty of time to access the level-headed-ness of his pupil. It is fast and always deadly, in the classic sense of the "instant karma principle" the opponent literally ends up killing himself. I know, I know, it sounds like a load of bullshit, but it is not. Clever stuff it is ! It works off the opponents own mechanics, turns his struggles back against'em. This is also the most advanced level because of the speed of execution.
Fifth is a a good one for multiple opponents. It called disarm and project. This means to send the weapon flying. But wait, isn.t that the same then as the first one we covered, to disarm and release ? No, it's not the same, related, but different, heres why. The "release" is just that, a explosively done disarm that occurs during the fight and the knife goes where-ever it goes. In the case of our fifth level progression it is more commonly called the directional disarming phase. Because the weapons are sent flying alright, but in very specific directions, toward very particular targets. This could be a second attacker or even the aggressors own foot or groin ! This is a unique and fun level level to train disarms in. It is an interesting variation to everyones favorite outdoor/camping sport, knife throwing.
The last phase in this version of the disarming progression is the actual counter for counter phase (phase six). Taught as a developmental training flow initially, this skill soon becomes a real lifesaver for you in many ways. Counter for counter needs to be practiced with someone who is well trained and motivated to really go. For good counter for counter training to take root you need a skillfull partner/coach to help you. It's a level of fight that few men are are aware of and even fewer can play it well, where death becomes imbued with life, it is where you wrest victory from the jaws of certain defeat. It is the level of the master combat magician who can pull a miracle out of his bag of lifesaving tricks and live another day to tell about it. In the counter for counter phase the term mirroring is used to describe the fastest and most instinctual response to the aggressors unwanted attacks. It's a duplicate of the opponents movement on a level that is instinctual, intellectual and physical. Relaxation and keeping your eyes riveted to his eyes helps in learning this rare ability.
AUGOW IS KUNSEE and KUNSEE IS AUGOW
(*Disarming is locking and Locking is Disarming)
Getting a two for one deal is always nice. It's like saving time, getting your money's worth and hitting a good deal all in one. That is why I like training in the filipino fighting arts. They are always teaching you on several levels, whether you know it or not. Such a planned method of education is not an accident. The old masters realized this multi-faceted value of the arts, it is epitomized in the title of this article. "Locking (kunsee) is Disarming (augow) and vice versa. Now this is not just some martial arts psycho-babble. It is true, by learning one, you automatically know the other. It is merely requires a conceptualization of the same movements and techniques in relativity to the the weapon being used against you ( knife, gun, fist or club) and it's nearest articulated joint So, you can begin your training by either learning how to lock and control an adversary or by learning the principles of disarming a weapon bearing opponent. Both paths end up taking you to the exact same place in ability and confidence. Since we are approaching this subject from the standpoint of disarming, I will use the disarm concept first and then show it's equivalent in locking/controlling. I would like to demonstrate with a technique which is easy to perform for all levels. After all, I am not teaching technique, we are studying motion concepts. Let's begin with a simple technique called a "bent wrist press", similar to a Kote Gaeshi in jiu-jitsu. Let's see how it looks when the motion is a disarm and then as a lock.
( NOTE: A simple rule of thumb to remember about all of this disarming mumbo-jumbo is: "Compromise the joint nearest the weapon" (IE: If he's holding a knife or gun, go after his wrist, if there is no weapon present, then move up one joint from where you did the disarm to get the jointlock equivalency. (IE: The fist is now the weapon, so go after the elbow joint, it's the nearest major joint.)
To further show the augow/kunsee concept, lets use a disarm known as an outside snake to demonstrate our next conceptual set. But, let's show the motion against a variety of weapons this time. In these pictures you'll see the outside snake motion being employed against a stick attack, a knife, an empty handed aggressor and a pistol. Notice the differences between each application and also note the similarities between them. Each of the four pictures represents a different face of the "cradle-based" disarm we initially began with called the outside snake. Augow is kunsee and it can be seen in these actions. Try a few for yourself, it's all about how you think more than how you move. You can do it, play, relax and learn.
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CONCLUSION
In conclusion I'd like to re-state for the record that to attempt any disarming technique or method against a weapon bearing attacker is likely to leave you hurt and bleeding. Plan on getting hurt, plan also to get revenge for it. That's the ugly reality behind all of these tricky weapon disarming abilities we have discussed here and that are taught in dojos across the world. To pull off a successful disarm you need to be physically sound, commited to win and know what you are doing. But think about it, is it not better to get cut or hurt than to be killed ? Is it not better to risk injury defending yourself than to accept death passively like a goat caught in the slaughter house ?
For training and development these progressions are fine, for real combat these skills are also very sound to employ. The crucial aspect still in question is you. Have you practiced enough ? Can you really do this stuff you've been taught under extreme pressure ? Have you the courage, the nerve and skill to fight to the death in order to save yourself if necessary ? No matter what happens, will you fight ? Well, if so, then you might make it, it's a crap shoot out there every time you go into any type of life and death combat, no guarantees amigo.
I hope this article has shed some light on weapon disarm training and helps you to reach your higher martial goals. Now, take these ideas and run with them, create and destroy, there is NO right or wrong, violate some sound principles, see what occurs and explore ! It's all GOOD when ya train in the universal domain ! Try to get some qualified "hands on" instruction in disarming weapons when you can, it helps to augment your home training greatly. Until next time, "Stay sharp and think smart" !
For more on universal disarming methods check out Unarmed and Dangerous Vol. I and II.
