krabi krabong and its use in modern times

[tenzen]

krabi krabong is the art of sword and staff from ancient siam. this art is not widely known in the usa but there are a few who keep the art moving forward here in america.some say that it is a performance art and is no longer effective some even go so far as to say it never was a combat art.

i know absolutely nothing about kk for the record. but i thought this would be an interesting post to start to hear your opinions thoughts and complaints about the state of kk or just the art in general.

i started this because i saw a clip on the net put together by some bullshido guys that displayed horribly kk.

i do know that in kk originally you would not block their sword but cut their arm off. i think i heard somewhere that they focused on decapitating their opponents.

[Tee Sok]

The name Krabi Krabong is just a name that tries to encompass many systems (Lanna, Buddhai Sawan, Sritrairat....) and renders them with the Phys Ed version of them. I have seen school kids do that in Thailand as it is part of the Phys Ed school curriculum.

I think in the US you have the Buddhai Sawan, I don't know about other systems there.
There are also teachers who know other systems in Thailand, hopefully they still teach!

Focusing on decapitating your opponent in battle seems very unlikely! Maybe during executions. I would say disable the opponent, advance and leave the soldiers behind you do the killing.

[fire cobra]

The name Krabi Krabong is just a name that tries to encompass many systems (Lanna, Buddhai Sawan, Sritrairat....) and renders them with the Phys Ed version of them. I have seen school kids do that in Thailand as it is part of the Phys Ed school curriculum.

I think in the US you have the Buddhai Sawan, I don't know about other systems there.
There are also teachers who know other systems in Thailand, hopefully they still teach!

Focusing on decapitating your opponent in battle seems very unlikely! Maybe during executions. I would say disable the opponent, advance and leave the soldiers behind you do the killing.

Ive studied KK at a college in Thailand(on several occasions) and enjoyed it greatly,it helped me with my body movement,I really liked the feel of a weapon called Mae Saan,which are worn on the forearms and fit from wrist to elbow,they are used in Monkey like movements.

I learnt several seqences such as staff(plong) vs Mae Saan and sword vs sword(fan daab) as well as Sword/staff and Mae Saan dances,its a beautifull art mainly used for demonstration purposes of course(who fights with swords nowadays!) and I felt that remnants of the real art where still there such as the movement and motion of the body with the weapon,but having to use the weapons in real warfare would be another thing alltogether and one Im glad I will never have to experience!.

[tenzen]

sounds like it was fun. i am actually looking more for the combat form of kk. i know alot claim it but not many can demonstrate it. also looking for the weapons where can i buy them. the mae saan is one that i am very interested in as it kinda reminds me of the tonfa, only not as mobile. but i can see how it would work well with the empty handed techs. also would like to acquire a set of daab.

[sportmuaythai]

Ive studied KK at a college in Thailand(on several occasions) and enjoyed it greatly,it helped me with my body movement,I really liked the feel of a weapon called Mae Saan,which are worn on the forearms and fit from wrist to elbow,they are used in Monkey like movements.

I learnt several seqences such as staff(plong) vs Mae Saan and sword vs sword(fan daab) as well as Sword/staff and Mae Saan dances,its a beautifull art mainly used for demonstration purposes of course(who fights with swords nowadays!) and I felt that remnants of the real art where still there such as the movement and motion of the body with the weapon,but having to use the weapons in real warfare would be another thing alltogether and one Im glad I will never have to experience!.

Plong or Mai Yao (as opposed to Mai Sun) is something I'd love to learn. I was actively engaged in political protests under "Yellow Shirts". We were frequently attacked by Red Shirts, and weapons commonly used were catapults and long staffs.

[Tee Sok]

Hi sportmuaythai.

I asee what you say Krabi krabong works well in these situations, I thought the same watching football hoolingans with helmets, shields, sticks, and then the police charging in with horses and stuff. KK has the weaponry for that and you can deal with many people swarming around.

By the way I have seen footage of these assaults by the red mob, it's crazy stuff watching Thai people attack other Thai people because of one corrupt man.
Oddly the police had some problems handling things, it's like if they were scared of hitting.

[William]

Ive studied KK at a college in Thailand(on several occasions) and enjoyed it greatly,it helped me with my body movement,I really liked the feel of a weapon called Mae Saan,which are worn on the forearms and fit from wrist to elbow,they are used in Monkey like movements.

I learnt several seqences such as staff(plong) vs Mae Saan and sword vs sword(fan daab) as well as Sword/staff and Mae Saan dances,its a beautifull art mainly used for demonstration purposes of course(who fights with swords nowadays!) and I felt that remnants of the real art where still there such as the movement and motion of the body with the weapon,but having to use the weapons in real warfare would be another thing alltogether and one Im glad I will never have to experience!.

I most certainly feel the elements of the “real art” as you stated. I had been training MT before I started KK and that helped me in picking up the some of the basic movements of KK. Over time I feel that the KK also helped improve my open hand movements and footwork as well. I would also say that my FMA training has done the same. Hey, if you can deal and react to a weapon being swung at you at 90 miles per hour, dealing with open hand attacks seem to get much easier.

This is a generalization of course, there are exceptions on both sides….but in the FMA’s you get more of a dueling, one on one feel, where in the KK you get more of a battlefield, hit and run, move on to the next person feel through the techniques. From my perspective, I can fully feel the battlefield attitude and technique coming through in what I’ve been exposed to. The flow, power, and raw aggression within the expediency of take out and move on to the next opponent is still present. Some may recognize that and others may not. Obviously most of us can’t test it out in real time (live blade to flesh) like the old days, but we can try to work it as realistically as possible without actually killing each other. Many of our training sessions will end with putting on a fencing mask/helmet, mouth guard, hand protection, and cup and work things light contact moving up to full contact. Actually working the movements at speed with an opponent who will begin by working with you and eventually as we ramp it up, be moving against you. In that context, the effectiveness of many of the movements, techniques, and set ups become apparent. You do have to keep in mind the blade orientation of weapon delivery and not let it become a solely impact exercise.


This is all IMO of course. Your experience may vary.
William

[fire cobra]

I most certainly feel the elements of the “real art” as you stated. I had been training MT before I started KK and that helped me in picking up the some of the basic movements of KK. Over time I feel that the KK also helped improve my open hand movements and footwork as well. I would also say that my FMA training has done the same. Hey, if you can deal and react to a weapon being swung at you at 90 miles per hour, dealing with open hand attacks seem to get much easier.

This is a generalization of course, there are exceptions on both sides….but in the FMA’s you get more of a dueling, one on one feel, where in the KK you get more of a battlefield, hit and run, move on to the next person feel through the techniques. From my perspective, I can fully feel the battlefield attitude and technique coming through in what I’ve been exposed to. The flow, power, and raw aggression within the expediency of take out and move on to the next opponent is still present. Some may recognize that and others may not. Obviously most of us can’t test it out in real time (live blade to flesh) like the old days, but we can try to work it as realistically as possible without actually killing each other. Many of our training sessions will end with putting on a fencing mask/helmet, mouth guard, hand protection, and cup and work things light contact moving up to full contact. Actually working the movements at speed with an opponent who will begin by working with you and eventually as we ramp it up, be moving against you. In that context, the effectiveness of many of the movements, techniques, and set ups become apparent. You do have to keep in mind the blade orientation of weapon delivery and not let it become a solely impact exercise.


This is all IMO of course. Your experience may vary.
William

I like the way you spar with the KK William,I havent done this myself but have done stick fighting fully armoured up and with limeted armour so have had similar experiences asyourself.

Good luck in your training bro.

[William]

I like the way you spar with the KK William,I havent done this myself but have done stick fighting fully armoured up and with limeted armour so have had similar experiences asyourself.

Good luck in your training bro.

Thank you fire cobra! I really appreciate it.




William