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I read Filipino Martial Culture by Mark V. Wiley and I noticed that during Guro Edgar Sulite's early days in training, he would strike a stick that had rope tied around the center of the stick. Then, the other end of the rope was then tied to the ceiling in the middle of the training room, thus allowing the stick to hang freely from a horizontal position from the celing. When struck, the stick would swing in dozens of different directions. According to the book, this is referred to as Rapillion arnis, but does anyone have any other info pertaining to this unique method of training?
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Rapid Assault 16,
Hello there I hope that all is well with you. The technique that you are referring to was a training aid used in Punong Guro Sulites Family System "Sulite Rapelon" as taught by his father (Helacrio Sulite Sr.).
Punong Guro Sulite would talk from time to time on this method of training as really developing his sense of perception and reaction. As the harder that he would hit one end of the suspended stick the faster the other end would come back around. He said that it would never come back around exactly where he thought that it would leaving him to locate and relocate on the fly so to speak. On a side note this method of training was also responsible for quite a few bumps to his head. Over all he felt that this was very beneficial in his development. Go well RA16, ciao.
Guro Dave Gould
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Hey, thanks a lot for the info. Just wanted to know...how should I utilize this method in my own personal training in regards to mobility, footwork, and hand-eye coordination. I think the concept of training with it seems easy enough to grasp, but I feel that all I'm doing is hitting the stick, moving around it as it swings...and I'm left confused as to which counters I can work on with this device (blocks, parries, etc.)
Thanks again
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R.A.16,
Actually Punong Guro Sulite would focus on 3 things in specific while using this "Rapelon" technique in training.
1) He would train his strike and recovery blocks against it. He would hit (the suspended stick) with intention and then try and recover with a block on the threatening side before the stick could come back around. As this happens very fast it is almost impossible to do especially if your initial strike is with full power, speed and follow through as it should be. So most times it would force him to use footwork to evade and then immediately step back into range to block on the second spin around.
2) He would focus on the timing line. As he would hit the stick and as it begins to spin back at him he would time the stick to center and practice his counter strikes down center (Bagsak) while ranging against the spinning ends of the sticks flailing out of control.
3) He would focus on footwork, ranging and adjusting to a random ever changing line of engagement on a unpredictable moving target. He would hit the stick in various places giving a different response from the stick which forces him to range just outside of the line of engagement and then when opportunity is revealed he would explode back into range and counter only to range out again based on necessity and the need to evade the spinning stick.
An interesting note; this method of training called "Rapelon" is the name sake which influenced the name of the Sulite Family system, hence "Sulite Rapelon". Edgars Father was very fond of these type of strikes (Rapelon) while sparring some of his favorite types of attacks were very unusual in their delivery such as striking over the head and down the center line coming from very awkward unsuspecting angles. Punong Guro Sulite would often comment on his experiences with sparring his father and said that he would receive many bumps to his head from these types of awkward attacks from his father.
I hope that this helps you out R.A.16, go well.
Guro Dave Gould.Comment
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What about some of the training drills derived from the other systems?Comment
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i'm going to ask my sifu about this: he trained with PG Sulite for a while. I like that idea, and i love the stick...
so when you hang the stick down you hang it so the rope is in the center and the stick is balance horizontally? like -- with a rope in the middle? or do you hang it | with a rope in the middle?
seems fun and i have the space to try it now what'd i do with that rope....
thanks,
joeComment
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Hey Joe! Well, you tie one end of the rope in the center of the stick so that the stick is hanging horizontally in front of you. The stick should be balanced so that it is hanging perpendicular to you.Originally posted by tekshowi'm going to ask my sifu about this: he trained with PG Sulite for a while. I like that idea, and i love the stick...
so when you hang the stick down you hang it so the rope is in the center and the stick is balance horizontally? like -- with a rope in the middle? or do you hang it | with a rope in the middle?
seems fun and i have the space to try it now what'd i do with that rope....
thanks,
joe
Oh and to Guro Dave Gould...THANKS A LOT! I'm really liking this method!
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R.A.16,
Glad to be of help. Another thing that you may want to try very relative to this genre of training is to try hitting a golf ball (hanging of course).
Punong Guro Sulite would get a golf ball heat up and drive a long nail through the center. He would flaten the tip as not to allow the nail to pass back through the ball keeping it secure and he would attach a strong piece of twine to the end and hang it from the ceiling. Better yet as not to damage your ceiling I suggest that you get an old speed bag platform and frame which will allow the golf ball to bounce off of plyboard instead of drywall, less damage and better bounce back from the ball.
He would then strike and counter strike the ball whereby training his accuracy and ability to relocate a very diffucult small moving target. Mind your head though as you will remain in range until you are forced to range against the ball and develop a sense of proper distance and fall into a random rythm. Give it a try and let me know what you think. Go well, ciao.
Guro Dave Gould.Comment
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a golf ball and a ladies stocking.....
How about trying this method:Originally posted by Guro Dave Gould
Instead of heating the ball and driving the nail in,
just get a pair of ladies stockings.....or...a sock....(I usually steal my wifes stockings!) put the ball inside, tie a knot, attach to rope, and you've got yerself a training tool.
Why stop at golf balls? you can get balls of various sizes, and stick em in the stocking. The reason why I suggest a stocking over a sock for bigger balls is obvious. The stocking will stretch to accomodate the sixe of the ball that you use.Comment
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Guro Dave, How do you heat up the golf ball? In an oven? Barbecue grill? Thanks!Originally posted by Guro Dave GouldComment
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Crucible,
Hello there, I hope that all is well with you. And that you are keeping yourself challenged by your training.
Actually Punong Guro Sulite would not heat the ball but rather he would heat the nail to an amber/reddish color and then drive it through the center of the golf ball with a hammer. This would allow the inside of the ball to melt around the nail securing it as it is allowed to cool down and dry. Then he would bend the nail back at the bottom end for added security. You don`t want the ball to loosen from the nail in mid-swing.
Give it a try and let me know how you like it. It can be quite challenging to hit and especially to counter once it has been set in motion after the initial strike. Go well, ciao.
Guro Dave Gould
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