First Foray into FMA

[SamuraiGuy]

I've recently become very interested in the FMA. I am mostly interested in the stickfighting aspect of it, so I figure it would be Kali I'm after. Now I realize theres what I'm gonna call "knife kali" for lack of a better term. I've looked at the Atienza Kali, Sayoc Kali, Dog Brothers, Inosanto, and many other FMA websites and I think I'm more inclined to go with the stickfighting path than knives (for now).

With that said I haven't been able to find anyone near me that would I deem reputable enough to train with. Well that isnt true, there is a dog brothers affiliate about an hour away from me, but I don't have the time nor money to train there at the moment. (I train up to ten times a week BJJ/MMA at a school relatively the same distance away) However, I will make it a priority to train with these instructors if I ever become a serious practicioner of FMA/Kali.

With that said I guess I'm asking if its worthwhile to try to learn stickfighting through dvd instructionals, drills with training partners, and a real drive to learn this. I've looked for stickfighting instructionals and from my research it seems the Dog Brothers have some quality instructionals and they would be my best bet. Does anyone have experience with their dvds?, sticks, and customer service?

I'm also looking for any info on what I should watch out for in the world of FMA's, any thing I need to know, any douchebags I should look out for in the world of FMA, any advice that you think would help someone trying to get into stickfighting.

I'd also like to add that while I realize it will help me with my fighting, self defense, and all that, my main reason for wanting to stick fight, is I simply think I would enjoy it, and it would be more of a "hobby" (a serious one at that), but I'm really just concerned with becoming as good as possible of a stickfighter as I can be.

[RapidAssault16]

IMHO, I'd have to say that the Dog Brothers are probably the best stickfighters around. They know how to really apply their stuff. If you can train with them, then please do. Keep in mind that I'm what you referred to as a "knife Kali" guy lol. Blades are just my thing. But if stickfighting is what you want, that's cool too. But, if I had to pick any school to learn REAL Filipino stickfighting, then the Dog Brothers would have to be it. However, there are also many FMA stick arts out there: Doce Pares Eskrima, Modern Arnis, and even Inosanto Kali tends to teach mainly stick work (although it does teach blade work alongside it as well).

[Gunjin]

...school first then dvd's...

With that said I guess I'm asking if its worthwhile to try to learn stickfighting through dvd instructionals, drills with training partners, and a real drive to learn this. I've looked for stickfighting instructionals and from my research it seems the Dog Brothers have some quality instructionals and they would be my best bet. Does anyone have experience with their dvds?, sticks, and customer service?

I haven't used the Dog Brothers DVDs but I have used the first two tapes from Rick Tucci (which are outstanding by the way!), so here is my advice based on my experience.

For the record I studied Kali at a school for about 4-5 months before I deployed. This gave me a good foundation of the basic patterns, movements, and drills. I bought the Rick Tucci tapes to SUPPLIMENT my training. While deployed I brought my rattan sticks with me and would practice whenever I had a chance. I would show what I knew to anyone that was interested. First I would show them something like Heavens Six, and once they were good enough I would pair up and do the drill with them. See what I'm getting at: I just taught a training partner for myself!

That said, I recommed seeing if the school near you has a 'free trial' period or something and learn as much of the basics as you can. Or suck it up for a three months, pay the fees and learn as much as you can again. Remeber nothing compares to professional instrunction under the watchfull eye of an instructor. Once you are comfortable with the basics then go ahead and quit and then use the DVDs to SUPPLIMENT what you have just learned.

Now that I am in the 'sandbox' for a second time, I have already showed some people a few Hubud drills so that they can be MY training partners. I also found 2 sets of sticks to use too for stick drills. I am not trying to teach them Kali in anyway, I am just trying to show them how to be good 'feeders' for MY personal training! Damn I'm selfish...

Like you said:

and a real drive to learn this.

Personal drive is what it is going to take. You need to ask yourself how commited are you to learning FMA! Good luck!

[SamuraiGuy]

Thanks, I appreciate the opinions.

With the comment of going to the place for 3 months and picking up the basics, I'd like to do that, but as stated before, mma/bjj ten times a week +job doesnt leave me alot of time to be going to another gym.

I'd be doing FMA all the spare time I have but I dont think I'd be able to fit in the time to go to the other gym, or suck up the costs right now.

[cocoy]

The Dog Brothers DVDs and a partner willing to experiment is a good start. Get some street hocky gloves, a fencing helmet and some sticks and go out and play.

[danjuandesiga]

Dog Brothers!

The Dog Brothers DVDs and a partner willing to experiment is a good start. Get some street hocky gloves, a fencing helmet and some sticks and go out and play.

DO IT!

visit www.dogbrothers.com
There's video clips of these guys going at it and sets of instructional dvd and tapes that share just exactly what you're looking for.

Daniel Arola

DAMAG INC

[SamuraiGuy]

DO IT!

visit www.dogbrothers.com
There's video clips of these guys going at it and sets of instructional dvd and tapes that share just exactly what you're looking for.

Daniel Arola

DAMAG INC

Yeah if you take a look at my first post I think I mentioned dog brothers...

" I've looked for stickfighting instructionals and from my research it seems the Dog Brothers have some quality instructionals and they would be my best bet. "

With that said, I think thats my definite course of action, along with most likely two dvds I was recommended somewhere else.

I was thinking of picking up , stick and footwork, attacking blocks, cycle drills, and the krabi kabong/salty dog sticks, as a base.

Then I noticed there "real stick fighting" 6 dvd set, anyone know which is better for a complete begginer to stick fighting? I realize the single dvd's cover one aspect and am unsure of what would give me the best base.

Also a newbie question for you Mr. DAMAG lol, or anyone else for that matter, whats the difference in hitting a tire with sticks, or hitting something else like a punching bag, is it because of the follow through aspect you get with the tire?

I pose this question to danjuandesiga because I've done my homework, and I've seen you doing it in videos.

So to sum up,

Real contact stickfighting series? Or seperate DVD's?

And

Whats the deal with the tire?

[danjuandesiga]

I'd hit it!

Also a newbie question for you Mr. DAMAG lol, or anyone else for that matter, whats the difference in hitting a tire with sticks, or hitting something else like a punching bag, is it because of the follow through aspect you get with the tire?

I pose this question to danjuandesiga because I've done my homework, and I've seen you doing it in videos.

So to sum up,

Real contact stickfighting series? Or seperate DVD's?

And

Whats the deal with the tire?

The tire is ideal for hitting with sticks since they are more than durable and can take a lot of punishment. Plus they don't cost anything since it is not difficult to salvage some used tires for your use. They can take even the hardest shots as opposed to the heavy bag that may tear from the impact.

As for equipment to purchase, There is one MA supply company called "I & I Sports" which markets the "Fighting Man Dummy"[ A product endorsed by Guro Dan Inosanto and Jeff Imada -HIGHLY RECOMMENDED] and is shaped like a human being with the feet weighted down for enough gravity/ground as it hangs. My instructor Tim Mousel in Houston Texas has one of those dummies and I thoroughly enjoyed beating the hell out of it with sticks, punches, knees, elbows, kicks, etc.


On the Dog Brothers videos:
I personally recommend starting with the Real Contact Stickfighting Series through Panther Productions. Most especially by beginning with (and reapeatdly viewing/studying) the "Power" and "Footwork" videos. Though that set may be older than the others, they are still so damn awesome to watch. I never get tired of watching, learning from, and reviewing them. For ANYONE interested in stickfighting, learning from the DBMA Real Contact stick fighting instructional videos is worth MORE than the investment.

Best of luck in your training.

Daniel Arola

DAMAG INC

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DAMAG_Kali_Stickfighting

http://www.myspace.com/danielarola

[SamuraiGuy]

Thanks for the response and the advice, the more I read the more I see the Real Contact Stickfighting Series is the way to go, everyone I've asked, and other people I've asked have recommended this one as the way to go. I think it will be the way I go to, thanks again everyone.

[danjuandesiga]

Thanks for the response and the advice, the more I read the more I see the Real Contact Stickfighting Series is the way to go, everyone I've asked, and other people I've asked have recommended this one as the way to go. I think it will be the way I go to, thanks again everyone.

That's awesome SG!
AFTER you've taken the time viewing and learning from the DBMA videos, let us know how things are going.

Daniel Arola
DAMAG INC
[Daniel Arola Martial Arts Group Inc]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DAMAG_Kali_Stickfighting

http://www.myspace.com/danielarola

"Take the lickin and keep on STICKin'!"

[SamuraiGuy]

That's awesome SG!
AFTER you've taken the time viewing and learning from the DBMA videos, let us know how things are going.

I will let you know after I've had some time with them, I'll even post a stickfight if I can convince one of my friends to do it with me. (They agree to the training together not neccessarily the fighting).

Only problem is I gotta wait till April 15th for the dvd's, I'm going with the dvd's over the tapes so I have more control as I watch things over and over again.

[Gunjin]

Wow, I like the tire idea. Never thought of that one....