Figure eight system

[Sifu/GuroBen]

Concepts and Principles of the Figure Eight Striking patterns

The striking patterns of the figure eight is executed in the form of the figure 8 . Once the stick strikes its target, whether it be #1 strike or #7 strike, it never stops but continues to the next target in a figure 8 pattern.

In other words it is not a strike and stop pattern. The Pattern can be vertical or horizontal. For instance if you strike to the knee #1 strike continue across and in an 8 pattern everse back to the other knee #2 the idea is to keep the movments constant and flowing. The Figure 8 can be used both long and short range.

Blocks/ Strikes

Blocking and striking in the figure eight is slightly different than other systems of stick fighting. In ohter words you do not block through but rather deflect and continue. There is no stopping and hitting. The whole idea is to keep the movements in a contant state of fluidity and flow.

When you deflect an attack the stick should be on its way toward a target. the objective is to make the attackers attack bounce off of your stick or rather mis-direct his attack. In practicing the movements with your partner start out slowly until you have the pattern down and then increase speed and intensity of the attack.

The figure eight system requires mobility and fluidity. Move and strike- strike and move. Once grasped the figure eight movements will develop body rhythm in such a manner that one will harmonize with an attackers movements.

There are no set counters for any specific attack as in some systems. It is the ability to let your attacker determine what counters you shall execute. The whole system of the figure eight in built around The eight strikes, however these eight strikes can be divided into individual catagories.

For example the #1 strike is to the outside knee of the Attackers left leg. When you strike to the attackers inside knee of the right leg you are also utilizing the # 1 strike. The movement is the same but the angle is different. What you really have from an angle standpoint is approximatly sixteen strikes or more. The direction of the strike determines the number, but the target does not. for more infomation check out Http://communities.msn.com/NUbreedmartialarts

[thekuntawman]

i would like to add a little to your very good post about this style. i did little ocho ocho in my style (which we call singko tiro), but i got a better explanation about how to use this technique when i was visiting arnis de mano teacher in rizal philippines. i cannot remember his name or his style, but ocho ocho is the foundation of his style, and he teachers only the single stick and the bolo.

the ocho ocho style was originially a "style" of fighting, that you can have in your system, where you have three or four (or more) styles of fighting. a true ocho ocho is one that uses it for most of the techniques they have in his system. when you look at his counterattack and how he attacks, and you see ocho ocho patterns in his movement, then it is a true ocho ocho style.

what you can look at is more than what kind of hitting. the ocho ocho is mostly the movment of the body than the hits. some people will use a circular "8" pattern and a thrust for the stick. some will use temple-temple, side-side (the meat below the ribs, which is for blade styles like my style), and downward slash. some prefer straight lines hits for hitting the bones, some like angle strikes which are for cutting. then some will have a separate five strikes for the upper body when you are standing and one set for when you are one knee for his leg.

but the body movement of ocho ocho is the roatating of the shoulders for winding up for the hit. when you hit, the whole body follows behind the hit. the feet do not have to move, it is done with the knee and the leaning of the body off of your legs line. what i mean by this is if you draw a line from your enemy belly button to yours, when you attack and defend your belly buttons should never line up. your whole body should move from one side of the line to the other, even though you legs didnt move and they are still in front of the opponent. the advantage you get is that the opponent will still send his attack to the front wile you are never really there, so he has a harder time to hit you.

anyway you can move and stay on one side of the line while you do your attack, which is the beginner techniqu of ocho ocho. the late beginner technique will teach you to use power by using the body movement of ocho ocho for power. for the intermediate, your body movement will be used to teach how to attack him. i liked this part the most, becuase instead of moving on the oponents line, you attack off of that line, so it looks very confusing to defend agaist to the enemy.

i'm sory i have more, but my kids will not let me type. i can post some later. thnak you,