In attendance: Bob Shin (instructing), Joe C., Adam L., Derek L., and Aaron T.We worked on some basic Atienza Kali long blade material, including AK hourglass footwork, with some basic variations, and long and short slashes. We then worked on minimizing any telegraphing with our short slashes, then ended class with some sparring.Derek filmed some of the sparring and sent me this wmv clip, which highlights some of my incredible footwork.
atienza kali
Atienza Kali blade rig
Guro Leo Manalo (winner of the Cold Steel Challenge 2005) showing one of several AK long blade carry options.
Class Notes – October 26, 2006
In attendance: Lem Tasin (instructing), Adam B., Joe C., Bryan D., the other David D., Bethany G., Jonathan H., Jon K., Adam L., Pat R., and Aaron T.Lem ran the class in my absence. Here are his notes:
Beginning of class, we split up into two groups. Joe took one group that knew TD 1 and TD 2 and they practiced those drills. The other group practiced 3 of 9 tapping.Brian and John also worked on 5 count palusot drills. Patrick and Jonathan reviewed TD 1 and 10 count palusot drill (circular). Bethany and David worked on 3 of 9 template and tapping.After that we did some fun stuff again. We ran four laps and ten push-ups, followed by 3of 9 tapping. This was repeated three times, however the third time, I turned off the lights.The last part of class, Joe reviewed tip down deflections to angle 1 and 2. We also drilled this using a pad and soft-stix (feeder 1) so feeder 2 can hit back as soon as he deflected. We ended class after this.
Class Notes – October 12, 2006
In attendance: Bob Shin and Lem Tasin (instructing), Jonathan H., Keith H., Derek L., and Aaron T.We continued with long blade training, specifically the Atienza Kali long blade evolution. We worked on moves 1 through 6, covering deflections and alternating counters. We then introduced slip deflections.Even the padded sticks can make your knuckles swell, so it is very important to keep your hands moving at all times.p.s. Congratulations to Lem on his promotion to associate instructor level 1!
Class Notes – October 5, 2006
In attendance: Bob Shin and Lem Tasin (instructing), Adam B., Joe C., David D., Bryan D., Bethany G., Jonathan H., Maria H., Jon K., and Aaron T.Today’s focus was on long blade. We introduced long slashes, short slashes, and the waving guard. As we worked on our slashes and guard, we emphasized the importance of eliminating “tells” or telegraphing.We began installing the Atienza Kali long blade evolution 1. The first 6 moves of Evo 1 introduce the Deflector fighter type. Both point up and point down deflections are used in this part of the drill. Each counter is reflexive.We will continue working on Evo 1 next class.
Class Notes – August 31, 2006
In attendance: Bob Shin and Lem Tasin (instructing), Joe C., David D., Bethany G., Adam L., Pat R., Aaron T. and the other David D.We continued installing TD 1 silak, getting through isolation 7. The newer students installed TD 1, getting through isolation 4. I am hoping that the slower pace of material will help everyone get the details down right the first time.For fun, we introduced mass attack concepts using the padded sticks: two-on-one, three-on-one, etc. People picked up the concept of stacking pretty quickly.Plan for next class: Finish up the current drill and introduce the sak-sak drill.
Class Notes – May 11, 2006
In attendance: Bob Shin (instructing), Adam B., Paul B., Joe C. and prospective student Aaron T.Rainy evening. Small class. We warmed up with AK hourglass footwork.We worked on the Atienza Kali long blade evolution, which introduces the concept of fighter types.We worked through the first four to six moves slowly, alternating between aluminum trainers, rattan sticks, and foam sticks.I let Adam and Aaron work on the 3/9 right hand template, while Joe and Paul sparred. I rotated in to spar with both Joe and Paul. As always, the challenge is to get the clean shot, without the dreaded “double kill”.Joe discovered a flaw in his Mark II blade simulator. I am looking forward to the Mark III.