Defanging the snake???

[RapidAssault16]

I've studied Arnis/Kali in both Manila and the US, and I've noticed the difference between the two countries in the way they teach. Training in Manila, I have never seen or heard anyone mention the concept of "Defanging the snake". I recall one time, my second week in the studio in Manila, I asked the instructor why the defang the snake concept wasn't being taught...and he replied "What?! You hit the weapon hand? Wow, I didn't know that!"

That wasn't the only time I've met an Arnis instructor in Manila who had no idea what "defanging the snake" was. Upon returning to the states, I realized that "defanging the snake" is the crux of most Kali schools in the US.

Is the defang the snake concept specific to only certain styles of Kali/Arnis?

I've also noticed that the Sayoc Kali system doesn't teach attacks to the oncoming limbs. Instead they go right for the vital targets.

[haumana2000]

This from what I have experienced,while the actual term "defanging the snake may" be used more here in the US, the concept is far from Foreign in the PI. In fact most of the older systems that trained with the bolo/talibong/ginunting laring etc.. would chop either at the wrist, tricep, or under the armpit. same animal just different names.

[krys]

I've never heard the terms defang the snake in the Philippines....
The traditional styles I practice are blade oriented and primary targets of the chops are the wrists and the middle of the forearm....

[William]

I have to second Humana's post. It's likely a term initially used by Guro Dan and/or one of the GM's he trained with who relocated to the U.S. from the Philippines. A new way to explain an old concept. Going for the weapon hand/wrist/arm is hardley a new concept in fighting systems across time.

Do you know of a list of escrima places in mass?

Ask, and you shall receive.

The FMA Database:

http://www.pekiti-tirsia.org:8080/FMA/

William

[Reactor]

'tis a Western phrase

I've studied Arnis/Kali in both Manila and the US, and I've noticed the difference between the two countries in the way they teach. Training in Manila, I have never seen or heard anyone mention the concept of "Defanging the snake". I recall one time, my second week in the studio in Manila, I asked the instructor why the defang the snake concept wasn't being taught...and he replied "What?! You hit the weapon hand? Wow, I didn't know that!"

That wasn't the only time I've met an Arnis instructor in Manila who had no idea what "defanging the snake" was. Upon returning to the states, I realized that "defanging the snake" is the crux of most Kali schools in the US.

Is the defang the snake concept specific to only certain styles of Kali/Arnis?

I've also noticed that the Sayoc Kali system doesn't teach attacks to the oncoming limbs. Instead they go right for the vital targets.

Defanging the snake is a Western phrase. The concept however is universal and would be manifest in most, if not all, the esrkima styles albeit under a different name, or even without one.

Who did you study under, or train with? It is unlikely that your instructor, assuming he knows what he is doing, would not be familiar with the practice. He probably did not know what you meant.

Sayoc is an evolved style which at some level sees the "defanging the snake" approach as synonymous to "teasing" the opponent. It believes a skirmish is better terminated with immediate, efficient attack to vital targets, a philosophy which works well with its "all blade all the time" credo. This is an oversimplification, of course, and does not mean that that they do not cut limbs as well.

Cheers,
Reactor

[andresbonifacio]

"Defanging the snake" is a philosophy that the Villabrille-Largusa Kali System adheres to. While this system will strike any areas of the human body, its primary target are the limbs.

[William]

Much thanks for the website and help Will.

Your welcome. No problem at all H2H.

Always willing to help & promote the FFA's/FMA's. We are all friends here (mostly).

William

[sercuerdas]

while it may have been used by others i know angel cabales taught his students to attack the weapon hand"a man without his weapon is like a snake without it's fangs". many of the prominent fma players in the states including guro I trained under angel.

[Dan Anderson]

I know that Remy Presas stressed striking your opponent's oncoming stick instead of the hand for safety. I don't kow how many other FMA schools adopted that method of training. Although Prof. Presas never used the term, quite often he would hit the hand or arm when demonstrating a defense.

Yours,
Dan Anderson

[darrianation]

I've studied Arnis/Kali in both Manila and the US, and I've noticed the difference between the two countries in the way they teach. Training in Manila, I have never seen or heard anyone mention the concept of "Defanging the snake". I recall one time, my second week in the studio in Manila, I asked the instructor why the defang the snake concept wasn't being taught...and he replied "What?! You hit the weapon hand? Wow, I didn't know that!"

That wasn't the only time I've met an Arnis instructor in Manila who had no idea what "defanging the snake" was. Upon returning to the states, I realized that "defanging the snake" is the crux of most Kali schools in the US.

Is the defang the snake concept specific to only certain styles of Kali/Arnis?

I've also noticed that the Sayoc Kali system doesn't teach attacks to the oncoming limbs. Instead they go right for the vital targets.

I went to a Sayoc Kali seminar some time ago and we did drill we would block/parry the knife arm and simultanousely slash the knife welding hand. So I thought it was a part of syoc kali.Maybe I'm wrong.

In my arnis training and all we did was single and double stick training (our empty hand was kenpo) a good bit of our training was hitting the weapon's harm.