The Filipino art kali is comprised of numerous principles, all of which
are based on the style's weapons systems. Among these principles is a
concept called "defanging the snake." In order to disarm an
opponent, kali practitioners will strike their opponent's
weapon-wielding hand with a stick or other device, thus removing the
adversary's "poisonous fangs" and rendering him harmless.
Although the concept of "defanging the snake" is most commonly
employed when the practitioner is armed with one of kali's many weapons,
it can be easily applied to unarmed combat as well. Just as kali
stylists believe that any weapon is simply an extension of the hand, so
too is the hand or arm a weapon in and of itself, and it can be employed
in the same manner as most of kali's weapons. This empty-hand form of
kali is referred to as gunting.
Gunting means "scissor," and refers to the motion of a common
kali knife-disarming technique. The idea is to destroy or immobilize the
opponent's limbs-especially any limb holding a weapon If you can destroy
your opponent's limb, you render him harmless, just like the defanged
snake.
If your opponent is unable to strike you with his arms or legs, you have
an obvious advantage. Gunting techniques require minimal effort, yet can
seriously weaken your opponent, cause him confusion, and incapacitate
him. Following are brief discussions of how these empty-hand techniques
work against an opponent's punching and kicking attacks.
Technique #1
In kali's "basic horizontal" gunting maneuver, the defender
(far left) faces off (1) with his opponent, and as his foe delivers a
right-hand punch, the kali practitioner deflects the blow and counters
(2-4) with a bicep punch/eye jab/backfist combination.
Gunting Techniques vs. Punches
There are two types of gunting techniques from which to choose when
defending against an opponent's high punch: primary and secondary.
Primary gunting maneuvers are the more damaging of the two, and should
only be executed when your hands are in an "on-guard"
position. Secondary gunting techniques are more suitable when your hands
are at your sides. All gunting maneuvers are centered around the
principles of "economy of motion" and "feasibility."
The most effective primary gunting maneuver against an opponent's
straight punch is the "vertical elbow" technique. This move
can be executed with either your front or rear elbow, and can break your
opponent's punching hand. It is a simple technique to perform and
requires minimal effort. From an on-guard position, you will guide your
opponent's fist into the damaging tip of your elbow. Your elbow remains
in tight and in a vertical position during the technique, minimizing any
deviation from the on-guard position. When executed properly, this
technique can set the stage for the entire fight and turn an aggressive
opponent into one who is wary of attacking.
Even more damaging than the vertical elbow gunting is the
"horizontal elbow" technique. This elbow gunting can generate
more power from the hips, resulting in more destruction to the
opponent's limb. The technique requires more of a commitment, making it
somewhat dangerous to deliver, but if timed correctly, it can
practically guarantee total destruction of the opponent's limb.
Another effective, although difficult technique is the
"scissor" gunting, better known as the "basic
horizontal" maneuver. Like most gunting techniques, it is derived
from a kali knife maneuver. There are three strikes involved in this
technique: a hammerfist to the bicep, followed by a finger jab to the
eyes, followed by a backfist to the temple. The movements often resemble
the cutting motion of scissors, hence the technique's name. The bicep is
one of the muscles responsible for extending the arm to execute a punch.
Damaging the bicep with a hammerfist will slow your opponent's punches
considerably. This technique is often used for bridging the gap between
punching range and trapping range, and therefore involves essential
footwork. Most primary gunting techniques are immediately followed by a
counterattack or even multiple gunting maneuvers to assure total
destruction of the opponent's attacking limb.
Secondary gunting techniques are used when you are the victim of a
surprise attack or if your hands are poorly positioned when attacked.
For example, if an opponent delivers a straight punch while your hands
are down, you should respond with a secondary gunting maneuver. The term
"secondary' simply means the response is not your first choice, but
the best choice at the time. Successfully executing a primary gunting
technique while your hands are down requires above-average physical
attributes.
Technique #2
Kali's empty-hand techniques can be used to defend against both
punching and kicking attacks. /n this sequence, the defender (left)
faces off (1) with an opponent who attempts (2) a low left-leg
roundhouse kick. The defender uses his knee to "destroy" the
kick, striking (3) the shin area.
Secondary gunting techniques often resemble sweeping motions to the
inside, to the outside, or upward. One hand will deflect the opponent's
punch, while the other hand forms a fist and strikes in a whip-like
fashion to the attacker's bicep or ulnar nerve (funny bone). The choice
of targets depends on whether you are sweeping to the inside or to the
outside. These techniques are therefore typically referred to as
"inside guntings" and "outside guntings," and they
occur on a horizontal plane.
Both inside and outside gunting techniques require lateral footwork in
order to avoid an opponent's combination attack. When it is not feasible
to move laterally, an "upward gunting" technique is the
answer. The upward gunting maneuver is a vertical sweeping motion that
always strikes the attacker's funny bone. Because of the direction of
the strike, and in order to avoid a combination attack, it is necessary
to lower your elevation. Because a drop in elevation can leave you
stationary, it is wise to drop your knee on your opponent's forward foot
as you lower yourself.
Secondary gunting techniques are bothersome to your opponent. If
followed by a primary technique, secondary gunting maneuvers can
incapacitate your opponent's punching prowess.
Technique #3
Kali stylists have unarmed techniques for countering an attacker's
high kick. In the sequence above, the defender (left) squares-off (1)
against an opponent who delivers (2) a high roundhouse kick. The
defender "destroys" the blow with an elbow to the shin, and
counters (3) with a roundhouse kick to the back of the knee.
Gunting Techniques vs. Kicks
Any kick the opponent delivers below the waist and in a circular pattern
can be destroyed by your knee. Targets include the opponent's instep or
lower shin area. This gunting technique requires little effort, but in
order to avoid injury to yourself, there are a few points to remember.
Because your forward knee is used to destroy all incoming kicks, to
insure stability it may be necessary to pivot toward the opponent's kick
to get an accurate shot at him. You must also make sure that your knee
is completely bent and directly facing the target. The knee is strong
when bent, but weak when extended.
A linear kick to your midsection, such as the side kick, can be stopped
with either your knee or your elbow, depending on the kick's height. In
most cases, an elbow technique is more suitable. The tip of your forward
elbow will drop vertically onto the ankle of your opponent's kicking
leg. Your rear hand helps guide the kick downward to the ground. If the
kick is thrown a little higher, disregard the elbow strike and instead
bring your forward knee up into the opponent's inner ankle. In order to
stay balanced, you will need to lean back as you deliver the knee
strike.
High, circular kicks to the face, such as the roundhouse, crescent and
spinning hook kicks, can be destroyed with your elbows. Targets are the
opponent's instep or lower shin. These elbow strikes are executed just
as you would deliver a vertical elbow gunting against an opponent's
punch. The only major difference is you must face the direction of the
kick while guiding it into your elbow. This will add enormous power to
the technique.
Technique #4
The most effective kali response to an opponent's punch is the
"vertical elbow" technique. In the series above, kali stylist
Tom Barell (left) faces off (1) with an adversary who delivers a
right-hand punch. Barell counters (2) with a rear vertical elbow smash
to the opponent's fist.
Kick destruction techniques are nearly always followed by a counter
kick, usually to your opponent's planted leg. Without a good base to
stand on, Your opponent becomes stagnant and easier to hit.
Whether used against an opponent's punch or kick, kali's empty-hand
techniques have the potential to set the stage for the entire fight. By
slowing and altering the rhythm of your opponent's attacks, you gain the
advantage and quickly change an attacker into a defender. With minimal
effort, you can destroy his arsenal and drastically alter his fight
plans. Map out your strategy, choose your path, and use kali's
empty-hand techniques as your steppingstones to victory.
About the author: Tom Barell is a Lomita California-based jeet
kune do and kali instructor certified under Black Belt Hall of Fame
members Dan Inosanto and Richard Bustillo.
