Informative Issue No. 2 2011 Learn in 6 - Teach in 12

Simple! Not rocket science or something so complex that it takes years to understand the principles and concepts behind it. The PMA Informative, tries to bring forth a multitude of information, on every subject on the Philippine Modular Learning Perspective “ Learn in 6 - Teach in 12” martial art and culture to educate non-practitioners, students, and even experienced practitioners in hopefully Imagination is More Important Than Knowledge reminding them and informing them about subject which may have been forgotten or not fully known. It’s a Left Side - Right Brain Thing This the 2nd Informative Issue deals with the Modular “Learn in 6 - Teach in 12” which was created by 1-4-12 Low Line Standard Grandmaster Bram Frank. You may ask why this, well let us say that this is one of the most basic, common- 1-2-2 High Line Standard sense perspectives in learning blade work that is known and he is kind enough to share this with anyone that is Horizontal - Vertical willing to learn. Too Tall - Too Short When some instructors teach they try to impress or demonstrate their style in a manner that if you are Combat Must Be Simple not familiar with the style or an experienced martial artist then you walk away saying, “gee that looked good, How Does One Teach Self-Defense? but I really cannot remember any of what was shown”. Build Belief in One’s Self When teaching modular it has to be simple. It cannot be rocket science or something so complex that it The Key to Train the Trainer Teaching takes years to understand the principles and concepts behind it. It has to be simple so that it can be transferred Blade Master Bram Frank - Edessa Ramos from one person to the next in a small amount of real time and remembered. Simplicity and common sense; the The Gunting Family of Knives - Bram Frank time a normal educational class would take. So with Bram Frank’s modular he has set the bar at 6 hours to learn, (one full day) and 12 hours, (two full days) to learn to teach the concepts. This makes modular the perfect way to get ideas of usage transferred from one person to the next person, even if the transference is in large numbers. Now in this issue is just a taste of his modular and it is most highly recommended that you obtain his training manual or attend one of his seminars or training sessions. Bram Frank is known throughout the world so it is only right to say a few things about the man himself: for which I thank Senior Guro Edessa Ramos a long time friend, “sister” and student of Bram Frank. Bram Frank is especially into Gunting and so it was fortunate that he has shared his knowledge of The Gunting Family of Knives. Note: Like his instructor Professor Remy Presas the Grandmaster and Founder of Modern , Bram Frank was Black Belt Magazines 2007 Hall of Fame: Weapons Instructor of the Year Well it is hoped you will enjoy this issue and see that to pass on knowledge you do not have to always show something flashy and complicated, but the best for education is simple, using common sense and the ba- sics. Note: Cover photos by Pirri of Mexico.

Each issue features practitioners of and other internal arts, other features include historical, theo- retical and technical articles; reflections, , healing arts, the culture of the Philippines and other related subjects. The authors, publisher and owner of this online magazine are not responsible for any injury, which may result from the instructions contained in this online magazine. Before embarking on any of the physical activates described in the magazine, the reader should consult his or her physician for advice regarding their individual suitability for per- forming such activity. The ideas and opinions expressed in the PMA Informative online magazine are those of the authors or instruc- tors being interviewed and are not necessarily the views of the publisher, editor or owner of the PMA Informative. The articles are the property of the author’s that wrote them and cannot be used without the permission of the author. The PMA Informative is for the promulgation and promotion of the Filipino martial arts and the Culture of the Philippines. NO issue can be printed and Sold for Monies, without the express permission of the Owner and Publisher of the PMA Informative. Modular Learning Perspective can be mutable. Truth mutable? Teaching allows for a reality check really know; yet it is presented as Yes, truth can be mu¬table if the of what one knows or doesn’t gospel. Modular is set up to allow “ Learn in 6 - Teach in 12” truth that is taught works only with know, the ability to link ideas and a continuous flow of information young strong males and not with concepts and to be honest with between one’s students and one’s Teaching modular has to be is get away, push away, #1 is get with little or no skill. It’s not about someone eight years old or eighty ones self and others as to the ac- self all at a GMSS level no matter simple. It cannot be rocket sci- way push away, #12 is cover one’s taking someone of good skill and years old. Truth is mutable if it tual quality of what one is attempt- the number of repetitions or seem- ence or something so complex that head, push away. making a great fighter out of them. only works with people wearing ing to teach. The only thing worse ing complexity level and allow it takes years to understand the By utilizing actions that It’s not about the great difficulty of sum¬mer clothing not winter. Truth than the Telephone game, where both student and instructor to grow principles and concepts behind it. are based on Bio mechanical ac- teaching, understanding and com- is mutable if what is taught only unknown details are replaced with in use and under¬standing. Modu- It has to be simple so that it can tion, no thought is necessary to prehending such intangible as dis- works in specific circumstances assumed details and over time and lar as stated is a Train the trainer be transferred from one person to make these actions happen. This tance, timing and : things and not in generalized situations. repetition the red cart white horse methodology… the next in a small amount of real is important in combative situa- that do take years of training and What is also paramount in becomes the gilded chariot with a Modular asks that one use time. Not training time or martial tions where fine motor thought dedicated practice and application learning Modular is that the core purple dragon; is when an instruc- Common Sense, as uncommon as arts time but real classroom time. and fine motor skills disengage to ingrain in one’s repertoire. What of learning is based on teaching. tor teaches what he or she doesn’t that is in use and thinking. Real classroom time is referring to quickly. Sometimes under duress it IS about is teaching some basic the time a normal educational class due to training one retains and correct responses to attacks within Imagination is More Important Than Knowledge would take. In this case we set the one has complex thought but that a limited range of complexity and bar at 6 hours to learn, (one full doesn’t mean one has fine mo- the ability to use these responses Albert Einstein said that tial arts. apply the knowledge base and that day) and 12 hours, (two full days) tor skills…Motor skills skip that under duress. Accomplish that imagination is more important Personally imagination is practice is generi¬cally known as to learn to teach the concepts. This level. One is either fine motor skill simple task and the good guy goes than knowledge. That might seem not something I need stimulated. “homework”. Home work is the makes modular the perfect way to or gross motor skill at a physi- home to his family and the bad guy to be a strange statement but it’s Martial Arts encouraged more bane of all school children and get ideas of usage transferred from cal level. One might have fine or has a very rotten day…or no future profound: creative thinking encour- thinking, thinking out of the enve- students, be¬cause its seen and un- one person to the next person, complex thought but only gross days at all. ages pushing the envelope and lope and I missed part of the con- derstood as useless and all it does even if the transference is in large actions to back it up. As the heart Teaching modular is about being in an uncomfortable place, nection to the part of knowledge. it set one up to see that one has no numbers. rate increases a little, fine thought perspectives: and the perspectives whereas knowledge or assumed What I mean is that I couldn’t idea of what one is doing and that How is this possible? It’s becomes complex thought which are on many levels. Presentation is knowledge usually puts one in a make the jump from what I did one’s teacher will make one feel possible because modular is based almost immediately drops to gross the key to understanding modular: place to be safe and not challenge as imagination and application – as if one is a total jerk when the on bio-mechanical user skills. thought and now both thought and Right to left orientation, Forward ones security. Imagination asks on translation in martial arts to the homework is corrected and one’s What one does naturally and in- physical actions are on the lowest to reverse grip, Single or double to explore unsafe or un¬knowns other phases of my life. As I said homework is all wrong. This is self stinctively is used as the principle level. If one’s defensive actions are weapons (matched or unmatched), where knowledge is a known in the opening: This usually bleeds fulfilling prophecy: one can’t learn of motion and translated into basic not based on the lowest denomina- Tall to Short, and Close or Closer. mapped place: you’ve been there over into other phase of one’s life. as it’s taught each day in class, user skills… By utilizing those tor they cannot be accomplished These presentations of perspec- before usually quite of¬ten. If one I didn’t get the bleed effect that home work really shows that and it basic skills, one can learn the ap- within the context of use. tives can exist by themselves or be encourages imagination one en- would help me in my early life becomes some¬thing else, a Killer plications very, very quickly… Many times trained martial mixed with each other. Pre¬sent courages learning and self explora- especially in school. of imagination and a willingness to Principle of action: Bio artists get beat on the street: it’s this in a complex fashion with lots tion. This usually bleeds over into In school the teacher would explore. Safety is in hiding or be- Mechanical action a person’s arms not that the street fighter is tough- of set rules and it’s going to be other phase of one’s life. teach the class and I certainly ing stu¬pid. I mean why do it since close across one’s body from high er, it’s that the trained martial artist rocket science: present this in a Martial arts stimulate could use my imagination: only it only shows that one doesn’t shoulder to low waist. The same attempts fine motor application conceptual way and it borders on imagination and learning: they this doesn’t translate into knowl- know or doesn’t understand. Why arm opens back to the same side at of his/her skills while the street natural response. We want Natural challenge one’s presupposed ideas, edge. Knowledge comes from be embarrassed in class? waist height. The recovery is a cir- fighter splits the common denomi- response! We want to learn and con¬cepts and way of thinking. free association of imagination What has this to do with cular, vertical motion of said arm nator and keeps it simple. A teach simplicity. We want to be They also encourage play acting, and uses of the tools talked of in martial arts and the learning of on the open or outside of one’s is a punch and a is a kick. No able to use our skill sets success- playing inside ones head and a learning the knowledge. Since Martial Arts? Everything! When body. This describes motions that attempting of almost impossible fully as we need them. physical manifestation of those imagination came easily I expect- the Instructor demonstrated a tech- in fencing or sword work are com- movie stunts: just raw fighting Modular actually has a set plays, along with use of imagery. ed knowledge to come as easily nique or motion no one expected monly named Downward Diagonal done as the street fighter knows progression: it is based on what we One has to use imagination to see and if knowledge was as easy as to learn it immediately in class: es- #1, Horizontal Closed strike works. To compensate for this might encounter most and biased how martial arts translate especial- imagination then experience and pecially me. We would practice the #4 and Downward Vertical strike tendency modular is designed as a towards the reality of that encoun- ly with concepts rather than spoon use were of course right around move all class long and then on our #12 or in modular as 1-4-12. GMS- Gross Motor Skill fighting ter. Reality and its parameters fed techniques and ex¬act answers the corner. Only that’s not how it own after class. When I got home I These same actions are also skill set. This is NOT about mak- are mutable and in com¬bat what to assumed situations. If Einstein works. One actually has to practice would practice the moves as best I basic instinctive safety actions: #4 ing a great fighter out of someone people teach as the gospel truth was alive today he’d be doing mar- the knowledge base, one has to could. I could see the moves in my head, I wanted them to be exactly There’s another name for all this, enjoyed martial arts. (by the way, I used to say.”Go with the flow” dominant hand to accom¬plish a ness we are forced to use back- as the instructor did them, and I and I said previously that home was a competitive swimmer: I did which is by using one’s left hand to certain task and the task appointed wards, left to right or the left hand had to use imagery and imagina- work is the bane of all school the same thing with swimming, do right handed oriented jobs. might be one of life or death. Most doing right handed motions. tion. children and students, it’s useless learn at class and “practice” and That’s the cause for the people never think of their other Working in a backwards Some of this necessitated and all it does it set one up to see then homework on my own for modular learning perspective. The hand nor if forced to make any perspective makes Bio-Mechanical other cross training to get the that one has no idea of what one hours and that made no connection ability to be left handed in a right reasonable use of that other – off shut down usable in a left to right dexterity and strength while still is doing and that one’s teacher to school work and “homework”. handed world without losing one’s hand. And when the need comes format. A normal left hander react- practicing the same moves over will make one feel as if one is a I used imagina¬tion and imagery identity or uniqueness and without up they find it impossible to do. ing to an incoming Right handed and over again. Martial arts did total jerk when one goes into the there as well as I saw my events trying to become something one is Not so much left handers, they attack will be outside the attacking encourage dedication, repeti¬tion classroom with homework done and swimming them, the turns and not: right-handed. This is a differ- have been forced to understand motion. That situation in a strict and practice. Contrary to regular all wrong or worse with excuses the final touch). ent perspective from normal teach- and exist in a backwards environ- martial arts sense is an advanced, school where once shown some- why one couldn’t do the home- Einstein was correct. ing... One regularly hears of the In- ment, but a right hander under trained response that needs, depth thing I expected somehow to work at all.. Only that’s what all Imagination is more important than structor telling all to use their right duress and made to use the other perception, timing, distance and know, do and be perfect, in martial this martial arts practice really knowledge and if I had ever imag- hands or just to emulate the right hand, the left hand, usually can’t confidence: one is blending or arts I expected to go to class to is: homework. Plain and simple, ined that school work and home- handed instructor. Then the left do it and col¬lapses under the phasing with one’s attacker and be told I needed even more prac- its homework, work one does at work were the same as martial arts handed people on their own try to stress. the motion. To damage or hurt tice and doing it wrong, poorly or home away from the classroom. class and practice then the bleed reverse learn or reapply right hand So that brings me to the the right handed attack one would almost was a good sign rather than It’s practicing what was learned over would have made my life left brain logic onto their left hand use of backwards motion. It’s a be striking at the outside radials, a neon sign saying “ I’m stupid”... or shown at one’s own pace and easier. That bleed over is some- right brain logic centers and then way for left hander’s to compete and the extensors. None of How novel, the ability to practice un¬derstanding and that practice is thing I try to use when teaching chaos reigns supreme. Why? It’s and exist within the normal frame- these targets will get the response what I was being taught and not called “homework”. students today: the understanding very simple. Instead of how does it work of a right handed situations of many famed knife instructors feel self conscious about being That simple revelation of relationships, perspectives and fit in a right handed world, lefties and specific tasks but it allows a claim of cut this and the opponent right or wrong or doing it correctly would have saved me many hours the similarity in all forms of learn- try to make the motion or learn- right hander to do what we logical- will immediately drop his weapon. the first time, every time. Practice of anguish in school, stopped ing including the type one does in ing set into a natural left handed ly would expect: use our left hand Actually they will hold the weapon to be perfect rather than the pit- many fights with my parents and a regular school setting. Learning response. In most situations a bit exactly as our right hand. Note: as tighter because they now cannot fall of perfect practice: instead of probably changed my scholas- is a complex skill that needs to be of chaos is OK, in self-defense or stated before motion wise, in some open their hand: extensors are doing it to be better one usually tic grade average. I might have taught to people: how to learn cor- life altering situations chaos with- cases bio-mechanically, Back- damaged or cut making it impossi- tried to look good for the teacher. en¬joyed school as much as I rectly. out understanding it an be a truly wards is not the optimum solution. ble for one to open or extend one’s disastrous event. The optimum solution would be fingers. Ex¬tensors extend or open There’s another reason we It’s a Left Side - Right Brain Thing working in a mirror image or left one’s fingers, flexors close one’s need to understand the relationship to left, but intuitively and because fingers. Cutting the radials and of left to right: we might need to of the framework of positioning exten¬sors ensures that the knife or use either of our hands at any time and our orientating perspective of weapon is not going to drop! Modular learning is set up right hand while we do it with our and I must do things NOT from or both hands or to use our non the world standard: right handed- from the perspective of a normal left. We make it a right handed a normal left handed perspective learning situation; that is how does procedure but using our left hand. but form a right handed perspec- a right-handed - left brain person If this sounds backwards, well it tive. Left handers quickly learn no see, understand and comprehend is backwards. It’s an unnatural one cares about lefties. Hell, left information. Most of us see things reaction in mechanics but a natu- handers are only 10% - 19% of the and use our dominant hand or ral response in logic or within a world. Certainly not enough to ef- side. It’s like using a toothbrush dominant sided logic train. Profes- fect how things are made to func- to brush one’s teeth; it is normally sor Presas used to say “Bram, this tion. Door knobs turn the wrong a simple task done with our right is left to right, it doesn’t work the way. Bottle caps turn the wrong hand but a terrible experience with same, its sort of backwards” way. Water faucets turn the wrong our left hand. Brushing our teeth What it is, this use of one’s way. Everything and anything that with our opposite hand should left hand or backwards motion turns, calibrates, moves, slides or simply be left handed, nothing is a small glimpse into being left functions is of course designed complex, just a simple mirror im- handed. And not left handed in a to make it easier for right handed age conversion: but what happens sense of I’m a natural leftie and I people. What’s a lefty to do? The is we visualize brushing with our live my life normally: but I’m left easiest and most common thing handed in a right handed world to do is as Professor Remy Presas Decision and Switch points within Backwards 1-4-12: 1-4-12 switch #1 low, feed #2, decision cut to #3, deci- Decision and Switch points within Backwards 1-4-12: 1-4-12 switch #1 low, feed #2, decision cut to #3, deci- sion 1-2-2, decision closed 2 feed #1 back to 1-4-12 sion 1-2-2, decision closed 2 feed #1 back to 1-4-12 #1: Ms Amy cuts a #1 attack standard at Bram’s head. Bram intercepts with a Backwards #1 cut into Ms Amy’s #5: Ms Amy checks the #2 cut attacking arm. #6: Ms Amy holds the check ,pivots, steps back with her right, while body shifting away from the attack and #2: Bram checks Ms Amy and counters a Backwards #4 cut cuts Bram’s attacking arm #3: Ms Amy intercepts Backwards #4 cut with forward pressure: Because of the forward pressure the decision #7: Ms Amy counters with a #3 cut to counter #4 becomes switch 1 low: moving from the low line and to a counter on high line. #8: Bram intercepts the #3 cut, checks it and then counter cuts Ms Amy’s attacking hand /. Readies a #4: Bram switches: Switch 1 Low line control and controls Ms Amy’s attacking arm for #2 counter cut. (switch #12 counter cut. from low to high) Decision and Switch points within Backwards 1-4-12: 1-4-12 switch #1 low, feed #2, decision cut to #3, deci- Decision and Switch points within Backwards 1-4-12: 1-4-12 switch #1 low, feed #2, decision cut to #3, deci- sion 1-2-2, decision closed 2 feed #1 back to 1-4-12 sion 1-2-2, decision closed 2 feed #1 back to 1-4-12 #9: Bram counters Backwards #12 attack to Amy’s head #13: Bram intercepts the attack, cuts through he attacking arm while stepping back right and body shifting. #10: Amy intercepts the attack with a standard Open-Close move; slant block, cutting Bram’s attacking arm in #14: Bram body shifts and decision closed 2, counters #1 the process, all while stepping left and body shifting away from the attack. #15: Amy body shifts away from the attacking #1 #11: Amy clears Bram’s attacking arm and checks it. #16: Amy intercepts, cuts and checks the incoming #1 attack #12: Amy counters with a #2 cut which Bram intercepts. Decision and Switch points within Backwards 1-4-12: 1-4-12 switch #1 low, feed #2, decision cut to #3, deci- Decision and Switch points within Backwards 1-4-12: 1-4-12 switch #1 low, feed #2, decision cut to #3, deci- sion 1-2-2, decision closed 2 feed #1 back to 1-4-12 sion 1-2-2, decision closed 2 feed #1 back to 1-4-12 #17: Amy checks the #1 attack and prepares #4 counter (1-4-12 Back¬wards) #21: Amy cuts the v#12 and prepares her umbrella trapping & block #18: Amy counters#4 cut and Bram intercepts the attacking #4 with a drop of his right hand #22: Amy cuts, body shifts , steps up right 45 and traps with umbrella, countering Bram with a #1 cut. #19: Bram Cuts the #4 arm in a “gunting move” #23: Bram steps back left and intercept cuts the # 1 attack #20: Bram counters with a closed #12 attack which Amy intercepts with an umbrella block. #24: Bram traps Amy’s #1 cut and prepares a #4 counter. 1-4-12 Low Line Standard 1-4-12 Low Line Standard 1-2-2 High Line Standard 1-2-2 High Line Standard Horizontal - Vertical: teaches using tools as they appear in no set order. Teaches distance, zoning and hit with clearing. Teaches response to common counters. Teaches to grab, control and restrain within the flow of usage Teaches gross motor skill usage & tools Conceptual motion: Open-Close: scissoring with gunting. Basic motion: Horizontal to Vertical 1) Horizontal to vertical, check-horizontal disengagement Pak-sao- (slap hand) - with hit 2) Horizontal to vertical, check-Lop-sao-(grabbing hand )disengagement to outside hit and left arm arm-bar. 3) Horizontal to vertical, check- left hand grab checking hand. circling center-lock , butt strike to head. 4) Horizontal to vertical, check with downward pressure, Jao-sao - ( circling hand) strike to left side of head. 5) Horizontal to vertical, hard check-zoning to outside, and circling to arm bar vertical tendon strike ( right arm). Horizontal to vertical, check hand removed and replaced by Right check, thumb lock-hand trap too arm bar (right arm). Horizontal to vertical, check - lower butt grab on hand, upward arm bar, switch hands left arm arm-bar take- down.

Outside

Gunting Split Entry

Inside

Standard Backwards Mirror Backward Backwards Perspective of Height: Too all high line even if delivered on a constant simple patterned Modu- martial art technique can and will what has aptly named the “ICL” attack. Most of the time the mar- Tall - Too Short a conventional plane of motion lar response the actual version of predominate over an armed op- method. Intercept, Control and tial arts student “loses” and the art with a seemingly rigid label. For combat will become uneven or a ponent. This myth prevails, con- lock. “Intercept” the ; either itself gets’ maligned as being inef- The basic perspectives of exam¬ple one might be a height form of backwards height varia- tinues, and is self perpetuating. by destroying or impairing it, then fective. Actually it was how and Standard, Backwards, Mirror and such as 5.5 (1 2/3 meters) and tion rather than the same or fol- Some instructors teach martial arts control-restrain the limb or oppo- what was taught that was ineffec- Backward Backwards, all views one’s opponent might be a height lowing…repeating in the sense of techniques that they say will be the nent, then lock them. “ICL” tive not the art itself. of which hand do I engage with of 6.5 (2 meters) a seemingly there is no point in using a high cure all for combative situations. is a serious street effective way to Current martial arts instruc- or use, have basic sub texts of small difference. But in reality line attack against a short person Some current day “Grandmasters” stop an opponent’s attack and then tors still cling to the old belief of High line Low line. These basic there is a great personal perspec- because high line attack is directed actually advocate restraint holds locking up an opponent. “learn this in the order I teach it. sub texts have nothing to do with tive difference. The shorter of the at empty space while a low line that they claim will allow an aver- Most martial arts instruc- WHY? I learned it that way, so will whether the basic four perspectives two combatants when delivering a attack is aimed at the opponent’s age citizen or student of the arts, tors take a personal perspective you.” There is a need to control are responded to with High line or high line response might only be head: even though that wasn’t to stop an enraged attacker. Most on combat or self-defense and the knowledge as well as an adher- Low line. Sometimes actual situ- delivering a low counter or attack the intent and one is forced to of what these “Grandmasters” everything is judged by way of ence to linear learning. Instead of ations set the parameters of these by physical reality to the oppo- constantly repeat one’s attack or teach is based on the principle and that instructor’s ability to perform looking at combat, especially street sub text perspectives, sometimes nent: the motion might not ever defensive perspective to a singu- idealistic concept that the opponent the techniques that are taught. combat as a liv¬ing opportunity, physical reality, sometimes one’s achieve the physical plane needed lar response perspective. What will remain passive throughout This might have validity if the some instructors of today try to setting within an environment or to be perceived by the opponent can happen as well is that there is the restraint technique. One even instructor himself was involved in teach learned responses to spon- the combination of these factors. as “high line” for it ac¬tually a blending of 1-2-2 with 1-4-12 to stated during teaching “ grab my the attack but most of the time it taneous situa¬tions. “The attacker We can only control to a small ex- arrives on the opponent’s “low compensate for the variations of wrist, no, not that way, this way” is the recipient of the instructor’s will do this, then you respond with tent whether or not our attacks and line”. This situation might be the response within the attack-defend as if any attacker would grab him, knowledge that becomes involved this!” Well that doesn’t work, for counters in our own view might be reverse if the attack or counter parameters. as he needed them to. Worse, these with the altercation. The person while a student is doing the script High line - Low .line. originates from the taller opponent Height, weight, environ- expert “Grandmasters” actually involved in the attack cannot from page three, the attacker hasn’t If the determining factor to the shorter: the attack though mental conditions, clothing, reach, call what they teach self-defense possibly respond as the instruc- seen page three. More than likely within personal combat is one of intended as a low line response, are all examples of things that or street com¬bative techniques. tor did, yet will try to imitate the the attacker has no idea that a a height relationship or who is on ends up 1-4-12 to compensate can mitigate truth in combat yet Locking up an opponent with a instructors teachings even when script exists and while the student higher ground or the perspective of for the high line – low line and in are able to be dealt with by using , before the opponent has faced with total loss of fine mo- tries to mold the situa¬tion to fit being over another, then it might reality becomes a high line attack modular conceptual thinking. The been disabled is almost fantasy. tor skills and memory of “how to” page three as described by the be outside of our control. For as perceived by the shorter person. old adage that size matters is really Current self-defense instructors causing further deterioration of the instructor the attacker is adlibbing example one might be on uneven Nothing we can do can make the true. Therefore Modular teaches with real time experience advocate person’s response in the face of his way through. ground, on steps, on a platform or accepted perception match up with us to work within the differences ledge or one might be physically the physical reality. One is forced in perspective rather than trying to taller or shorter than one’s oppo- into using different parameters or fight them or change them: because How Does One Teach Self-Defense? nent. Any of these situations might perspectives of those same param- changing those perspectives or make it that all of ones responses eters to deal with the situation. elements of truth sometimes is an no matter how one meant it might In today’s world sometimes force. OK folks, it’s time for a martial artists that I know have Though the situation might impossible task… come out are either all low line or I don’t really know. Pick up the reality check. trained for many years. Intensely. become or seem to become one of phone book and look through the Yes, I know that one can They run, lift weights, and practice yellow pages marked “MARTIAL The adage of “the same difference” is true and usable in modular thinking. go to a martial arts class and see all the time. Most have at one time ARTS. Learn to defend yourself! the instructor disarm, disable and or another suffered great personal Defeat any attacker” Read the trade de¬feat several attackers of bigger harm and injury within the context years of personal experience in at all costs!) Combat Must Be Simple publications. Even the main stream size and strength. And yes, I of training. The physical or mental During a confrontation ac¬tual combat and the subsequent Martial artists take a dim martial arts magazines of today personally know famous martial injury is acceptable to achieve the memory gives way to instinct training of soldiers for that com- view of Colonel Applegate for they carry the ads. Everywhere the great artists, male and female that if put training goal: competence in which quickly de -evolves into bat, Applegate came upon cer¬tain are conditioned to believe that their martial arts myth exists. Learn to the test would be an attacker’s martial arts. Actually it sounds as if the animal response of survival. truths that are considered true techniques or tricks will always explo¬sive self-defense! Learn or even a group of attackers worst I was describing a normal athlete. Detail work and fine motor skills principles of combat. He advocat- work on an opponent. Empty hand unstoppable Martial Arts! Teach nightmare. None of this is reality That’s correct a normal high school quickly vanish leaving only gross ed simplicity, directness, attitude, will win over any ad¬versary in- any person martial arts skills and based. The average person cannot athlete, male or female goes motor skills to remain. Colonel targeting, and use of weapons on cluding one with a weapon. “Ka- no matter their body type, size, age duplicate these feats, and worse if through incredible training to stay Rex Applegate the father of close a sliding scale from possession of rate” the art of empty hand comes or strength they will be able to they did try; would end up in competitive today. College athletes quarter combat stressed these facts weapons to empty hand. (A situa- from the warri¬ors. It was devel- overcome an attacker. Superior serious trouble. Most of the great train harder than professionals of tion he advised was to be avoided oped to fight other warriors. Proper during his lifetime. After many technique always overcomes brute the past and an elite few make it to the professional level where harm to another human being throws and all the useless parts of concept has: as stone and glass we have attorneys and Judges. “show stoppers”. training is their life. without thought or care as to the our foundation art to make a real gave way to bronze then steel. But BLADE Magazine has a great This brings up the axioms of knife There are millions of ex repercussions of such an action. self defense system which anyone the principle is unchanged for all column written by a Judge who work: athletes out there. Many people Neither civil nor criminal liability can learn!” They infer in their time. Warriors and war arts have happens to be a knife maker… continue to train by lifting weights, affects the attacker’s state of mind. training scenarios and seminars for thousands of years tried to Judge Lowell Brey, and back Rule #1: Steel cuts flesh doing aerobics, or playing pick up As in a true warrior “mushin” that street attacks occur in certain solve the riddle of steel. Steel cuts issues of his columns carry the Rule #2: One can’t change rule #1 games of varying intensity. Gang exists, “no mind” or directs mind ways rather than spontaneously. “ flesh. Flesh drives steel to cut flesh. laws and discussions on the way Rule #3: Unless one has a blue suit members, outlaws, criminals all of purpose, directed action driven Grab my wrist, NO, not that way! Steel always cuts flesh. Flesh is the laws are interpreted. Basic with a big red “S” on it Rules #1 have labels which society has by thought. When the attack Like this!” Others tell the average stronger than steel. Armor was rule of thumb is this: Federal law and #2 always apply! applied to them which somehow happens, spontane¬ity is in the person that they can kick, poke or designed and redesigned. Shields allows for the carrying of folding If one can hold a knife it the average person uses to identify advantage of the attacker. Surprise punch their way to safety. A select and helmets were used. Techniques knives with a “blade length” of 4 will work. Anyone can make a and confuse the issues. Society is only on the victim’s part, one few might. The women, children of avoidance were invented. Steel inches or less. Some states have knife cut. ANYONE!! Most people uses the labels to degrade the moment safety, the next fighting and elderly won’t be able to and still cut flesh as well as just about other blade length require-ments. including children have used some people labeled and to raise them- for ones life. Scientific research nothing will enable them to. “Oh anything in its path. New defenses California allows for blade length kind of knife in daily life such as in selves over those labeled criminals has shown that under great duress, just eye poke them!”... “Kick them for knives are invented all the time. of 5.5 inches as of this writing. a kitchen, cooking, at work, even outlaws, gangs are all “inferior” in fine motor skills disappear and in the !” “Disengage from the They just don’ t work. Steel cuts There are exceptions to all the playing knights in armor. We as a some way to the rest of society. only gross motor skills are avail- attack and counter attack!” all flesh always! laws within each state. Lots of people are accustomed to knives. Labels don’t change the fact that able. That means the average good statements but what if one That’s why weapons are cities and towns as well as airlines Most of us have learned to keep these segments of “labeled” person train¬ing twice a week to lacks the size, strength, or ability to used. That’s why a knife is the prefer “blade lengths” of 3 inches the edge away from what we don’t society contain the athletes of the learn complex self defense skills is achieve the goal. That’s correct. ultimate self-defense tool. Its hard or less. The FAA requires 4 inches want cut. This obviously leads to past or current status. Before the left with only basic skills when an Size does matter. So does strength! to defense, it works on a heavily or less for airline carry and several we point the edge towards that righteous indignation comes out, actual attack happens. So much for With that premise in mind worked principle of physics “an air¬port security companies such which we do want cut. ahh, sim- before you start screaming at this great self defense! So much for self defense takes on new meaning. edge that cuts flesh” and it takes as GLOBE have added the phrase plicity! writer’s opinion, go check out the defeat any attacker. One need to stop martial arts little or no strength to make it of “or menacing” to the rules… Punches to body parts need jails. Watch the inmates. The Does this mean that every- prejudices, martial arts bias and work. Very scary if you’re the one This is to allow for officers discre- focus, strength and ability to cover average inmate would literally tear one who isn’t a trained fighter move on to reality. No one style on the receiving end! Its just as tion and a way to circumvent the distance. It is the same with , an average person limb from limb. should stop training? Should all can solve the problems of self- scary to a bad guy as it is to a good written actual law. (Try to stay If you can just reach your attacker They lift weights, run, box, wres- people doing “Martial Art” with defense but old style war attributes guy… add to this the fact that within the confines of the law for his mass might be too great and tle, and live in an environment the emphasis on ART stop train- can go along way in helping out. knives have reached a new level of the law enforcement and security your touching will only enrage soldiers of old Sparta would have ing? Should we give up and just No warrior of any era would have sophistication. Technology has officers have a hard enough job as or encourage them, Not so with approved of. Hidden cam¬eras ac¬cept the fact that the bad guys gone to war without weapons. kept pace with need and knives of it is without ordinary citizens a knife. When you reach out and have shown those inmates actually are better trained so they have the Weapons are the great equalizers. today come as fold¬ers. The era of making it any harder.) As of touch someone with a knife its seri- train in their own version of street advantage? Actually in some ways Before the readers get uppity the folding tactical knife has 9/11/01 no knives of any kind are ous. A “touch” can become a stab. oriented martial arts. The socially we should! I can here the screams again, reality is that no unarmed arrived. allowed on aircraft; a serious A “touch” can slide and become unacceptable segment of our now! The righteous indignation of person is taking out of action an As for the legality of mistake in my eyes! a fillet. A “touch” can become a society, which we try to prepare to “who is this jerk? Accept the armed oppo¬nent. Americans have carrying a folding knife there are With that said, there now slashing cut. Cutting, stabbing, defend against are actually closer ‘facts’ as stated? NO WAY!” We this John Wayne mentality and we many myths, street stories and “ I exists a modern self-defense tool and filleting muscles bio mechani- to the ideal of what, we expect to need to accept that most of the bad tend to believe the fables of one know a cop and he says…” The that can be carried, is assessable cally impairs body function. People be. That’s right. We take the guys have intent and ability to punch and the bad guy falls down. laws and ordinances about weap- and is legal. How hard is it to retract from cuts and hurt. An average citizen with no physical perpetrate anything they choose at The bad guy will drop his weapon ons vary and the shade of gray is, teach the average person self obstruction or a barrier appears. ability and a couple of hours a the time they choose. That’s why to fight unarmed cause that’s the useful tools which can double as defense using this tool? Not very The opponents arm to yours. “Slap week to give up between life they are the bad guys! way and the hero will always drop self defense tools or “weapons”. hard. The advantage of an edged the arm! block it away! Drive it issues and we ex¬pect to teach The way of self-defense as his weapon to even the odds. NO One needs to check ones lo¬cal weapon / tool is that it has an edge into them. Clear the obstruction them to overcome real opponents. taught today is flawed. Several self WAY! A weapon? Yes a weapon laws and ordinances. Don’t ask the that cuts. It takes no strength to and then counter strike!” Only they It’s not going to happen. defense systems actually tell and tool that is mankind’s oldest police. They don’t know. Go to the cut. Anyone of any size or age can are too strong and push back into Not only does the attacker people that the average person in a and dearest friend. The knife has library, research with the Attorney cut someone else. Size and you. Not when one blocks or enters usually have the training advan- few hours of course work can been with man for over 1 million generals office, request copies of strength don’t matter here! A good with a knife. Put that edge into tage but the other “cards” are in learn “combat joint locking” and years. An edge that cuts flesh. The the actual laws and any amend- basic rule of cutting is that any cut their arm, the obstruction and the the attacker’s favor as well. Men- safely immobilize an attacker. “We principle of “an edge that cuts ments. Remember there are laws to is good, that some cuts are better attacker will pull away not push tally the attacker is geared to do have eliminated forms, high kicks, flesh” has never changed. The contradict other laws. That’s why than others are and a few cuts are into it. Pushing into the edge of a knife cuts, push hard it cuts deeper. weapon back wave your hands in disabled person can be taught to You push, they move the arm and front of your face. Try vertical fig- kick or punch or even worse can Build Belief in One’s Self connecting body out of the way! ure eights, upward figure eights or be taught to try to joint lock an The average person can down¬ward figure eights in the air attacker. Try seeing how much Teaching must be simple: simple This is totally unacceptable! to do it! use an edged tool for self defense with your hands. Try side to side leverage one has without leg power in concept. Do not attempt to teach The information should be Do not try to teach too easily. I can hear it already. The motions, back and forth. Do eye sitting in a wheelchair. (don’t be too much at any one time. People readably accessible, usable and much: teach enough within a finite attacker will just disarm them. Use stabs or jabbing motions. Try “Ka- fooled! Sit in a chair, cross your must be able to retain, use and teachable. Keep it simple. Repeat time period. Remember that Rome the weapon / tool against them. rate chop” motions…now imag- and hold your legs in the teach what they have been taught: the information. Do not assume was not built in a day but many a One of the premier martial arts ine a knife in your hands while air.. Now try the great joint lock- not shown or demonstrated to. If anyone understands it, REPEAT project was completed in a day. and knife instructors / disarming you do these motions. Picture the ing technique! Try that punch.) If you attempt to teach it all at once, IT! Demonstrate one of the key Teach in small amounts that can experts in the country starts out knife’s edge meeting flesh each the “Physically challenged” person no one will remember anything: phrases: use those phrases so that be assembled into a bigger piece. his video series with the warning time. Can’t picture it? Go into the can use their hands then self- de- all that you will teach be forgotten. your students use it themselves modular: like a Quilt. Remember that folding tactical knives can kitchen, take a sharp knife and cut fense with an edged tool is very Think about any class or seminar when they teach. “ It is NOT a 6 hour seminar is a full day, Add turn a disarming experience into a an apple, cut a carrot, cut some effective. No strength needed. Just you have attended. It could be Rocket Science!” Build on what lunch break and water breaks and it nightmare. While another one of meat…see how little force it takes. “reach out and “touch” someone!” the seminar was taught by a great your core information is and then is an 8 hour day, a full days work. the world’s most famous martial Now go back and try the motions This wasn’t to make anyone a practitioner: fun to watch difficult return to that core. You should end Do not teach more than 6 hours at artists, author and knife instruc- again! (of course leave the knife knife expert. The point wasn’t to to do and forgotten as soon as that your teaching session on what- a TIME! tor, tells students and readers that and food in the kitchen!) It’s pretty say this method of knife training section was done. It could be an ever the basic concept is: end the 4 Hour Clinic: Gunting: Teach disarms appear and disappear easy to do. Anyone can cut some- is better than the other method. It OK practitioner and simple stuff... session on something they have 5 entries : simple and advanced: in seconds making them almost thing. Access the knife? Try being was a rational response to several forgetful at best. It could be won- accomplished! Constantly remind thumb trap Modular Tactical: impossible to pull off: he shows aware of how many times in a day absurd self-defense points of view. derful instruction and progression the students they can do this: that Teach 1-4-12 Standard, Back- disarming as an aside. He shows in the middle of doing something The point was to hopefully open that only makes sense while the they are able to do what you’ve wards, Equal forward & Equal combative disarming: cut off the you pause momentarily to wipe some eyes… to make one think seminar is in session. taught them. Ask them rhetorically Reverse. attacker’s fingers and the attacker your face, scratch an itch, pat you “what if ” … or “really, I never Most seminars were fun to and demand a “yes” answer. “can 6 Hour Seminar: Gunting: 5 is disarmed. He teaches that at last hair, straighten out your clothes thought that way before!” Hope- watch and difficult to learn from. you do this?” “YES, I can!”...When Entries, simple and Advanced, resort, when one’s life is about and immediately go right back to fully to make one understand that When I used to go to seminars with your students leave the teaching Kinetic Opening, Finger traps, to be taken, then one puts one’s whatever you were doing. Reach- the way of the warrior still exists my students, we used to assign floor / or the seminar, they should counters Modular Tactical: Teach empty hands into the mouth of the ing for the knife is as simple as and not to believe in the martial different parts of the seminars to be walking out the door saying “I 1-4-12 Standard, Backwards, Equal blender to try and affect a disarm. scratching that itch. Accessing is arts myth. Learning the art of the different people to try to memorize. can do this!”… If people leave Forward and Reverse, 1-2-2 This means in reality that on the as simple as continuing the origi- blade will enrich your self-defense That way when we got home we saying they can do this...Then you street, an attacker intent on harm- nal motion. This holds true for dis- skills and give you a new base to could combine the information to have won the teaching battle. For 12 Hours or Two Day Seminars: ing the average person will be un- abled peoples as well. I know that teach self defense from! Live long redo the seminar as we learned it if people believe they can do it, Gunting: Add to 6 Hour: Back- able to deal with an armed defense people (including some so - called and prosper! and try to make sense of it or try to they will be able to do it. Build wards, Reverse grip, repeat 5 let alone disarm them or turn the self defense systems) say that a find the alleged progression. belief in one’s self and ones ability Entries Modular Tactical: Add to 6 Hour: 2-3-12, 5-2-4, repeat 1-4-12.

The Key to Train the Trainer Teaching The key to Modular learn- is learned. If one cannot remember Modules are also great for ing is its simplicity. That’s correct: the new Module, that’s not as im- we as humans also like to build on Simplicity. If what one teaches is portant as one can remember the foundations to stack things to put simple and the training methodol- first modular. things together…it’s in our nature. ogy is simple…then the chance Most modules are sets of Therefore teaching by modular that the subject is remembered as three moves. Humans can re- units allows for the best comment taught and useful to the students member three things, especially if an instructor can ever hear:.. the under duress is enhanced. there’s an order to them. Three is a refrain from the students saying “ I Modules are easy to learn. comforting number. Is that impor- can do this”… Modules also allow There’s limited knowledge to be tant? yes…for anything that’s easy for exact duplication of training remembered. As one learns or and comfortable we tend to accept methodology over a large scale masters a module, the next module readily. while al¬lowing personal interpre- tation. quilt or the Modules are identi- That means 6 major vari- How? Each Module is cal. Uniformity and individualism ables have been reduced to 1…a exact. It’s taught as an exact piece. at the same time. Yin & Yang… much easier situation to deal It’s like making a quilt. Each frame Duality within the same space…a with… or piece of the quilt is designed in dichotomy of action. Martial arts, What holds these modules a particular pattern, a pattern that self defense being taught at its together as in a quilt are connect- never varies. To get varia¬tion in best. ing threads. These connecting the quilt, several unique patterns Let’s look at reality within threads may or may not stand on are made…again each square the flow of combat or interperson- their own as Modules but they cer- unique unto itself. If there are only al physical interaction: there are tainly act as a to con¬nect 4 unique patterns and 4 different no rules, no scripts, no prerecord- the various Modules. Module #1 is color versions of each… there’s ed actions and responses. Things a way to express the most com- now 16 different patches or frames just happen. By having separate mon motion allowed by our body: to the quilt. That gives 256 pos- modules that encourages one to arms closing across our bodies, sible combinations before a repeat put them together in any pattern arm opening low and the pick happens. That’s a lot of variation.. or sequence with no regard to set up-recovery of our arm to a high That means no two quilts way of doing things… we get a position. This motion has been would be exactly the same…yet sort of spontaneity, a going with taught for thousands of years as a each is made up of identical parts. the flow. natural motion; not just as an arm The same applies to the teaching. No regard to is the tool in the bad motion but in use of fighting sticks Each person learns the identi- guy’s right hand or left… and sword play. It is a realization cal modules but how they are put No regard to is the tool in a for- of form following function. It has together is the individuals own ward grip or a reverse grip… been called many names: Single way…yet at the lowest level the No regard to is the attack on the Sinawali, Sumbrada, Shadowing, building blocks…the frames of the high line or the low line… Six Count, Box set and the like.

Four ways to approach your opponent - Four ways to hold a knife or tool. You have two arms the oppo- nent has two arms: that’s four possibilities to match up. You can hold it two ways, tip up-forward or tip down- reverse and so can your opponent: that’s four possibilities. That’s 4 times 4 equaling a total of 16 possibilities. 16..no more no less. Only 16...Not hundreds of combinations. Only 16... Not infinite possibilities. It’s not Rocket science. Anyone can learn to do this. There’s ONLY 16 possible combinations. It’s like a patchwork quilt. Each person learns to make the exact little piece. 16 identical pieces. They get sewn together in any order or pattern. Take the quilt apart each piece is identical. Sew it together and there are endless variations of quilts. This allows for continuity of teach- ing and learning yet allows for totally creative responses...as close to real time as possible. There’s only 16 possible combinations. The proceeding information was just a sample of “ Learn in 6 - Teach in 12” to obtain the full knowl- Common Sense Self Defense / Street Combat CSSD/SC edge of “ Learn in 6 - Teach in 12” get the complete CSSD Arnis Instructional and Modular Instructional 3737 SW 50th Court DVDs series visit CSSDSC at: www.cssdsc.com, available soon. Ft Lauderdale, FL 33312-8219 Bram Frank: (727) 458-8892 Sonia M. Waring - Business Director / Advanced Instructor (305) 608-1953 [email protected] or [email protected]

Modular training is based on gross mo- tor skill actions, which have a base in Filipino martial arts as taught by Professor Remy Presas. The simple program can be learned in 6 hours and one can teach th rpogram after 12 hours of training. This is not a traditional martial art, but a modern trai the trainer program as taught and used by various Law enforcement, Security, Military, and Anti-Terror units worldwide. Simplicity is the key, this program can be a stand alone or is an add on program for any martial arts class or school regardless of style. Bring Modern Tactical Training into your arts and school today as taught by Grandmaster Bram Frank, a 1st generation student of Profes- sor Remy Presas, Black Belt Hall of Fame Weapons Instructor of the Year - 2007, and recognized Father of Israeli Knife . Learn realistic responses with an edged tool and against an edged tool that are timely and done with an eye to liability and the legal repercussions of those actions! Concepts easily apply to impact tools: batons/sticks and projectile tools, firearms/handguns. Set up a seminar or a program today! Training DVDs, manuals, training knives and real knives available, along wiht Instructor Certification. not made useful in agriculture but ent. The orientation is different. Renaissance and Japanese sword Blade Master Bram Frank for thrusting, to tip rip. It is a fast No force is needed to cut, whereas manuals all agree: block with the An old Chinese proverb says: when the student is ready the teacher appears. blade used to fight other humans. impact is affected by strength or flat, block near the if pos- He bequeathed to Bram his jungle amount of force. The order of sible, use the spine for redirect, do bolos, inherited from his uncle and progression for default is blade, not break your sword! Bram Frank is a first was important to understand the grandfather. Each was handmade; firearm, stick, and then empty With blade, one must learn generation personal student of the art at a functional level. Remy each was crafted to fit the person hand. The blade is regarded as the hand control not weapon control. Professor. The first time he saw encouraged Bram to teach from so that rotation of the blade did not highest art of self-defense. With a One must learn edge orientation Professor and Grandmaster Remy day #1, telling him to “go teach cut one’s own arms. (Now the old blade, there is little or no room for and usage. Edges are matter sepa- A. Presas, he said to himself, this what I taught you, for in teaching ways of measuring a “stick” made error. If one can do something rators. How one enters a combat was a martial arts genius, the true you will learn fastest, and find out real sense. One didn’t measure a with or against a blade, it works situation is definitely important “master” of what he did. The day what you really know, and know stick; one measured a blade for for the others. If it works with when it comes to blade. There is a he met his teacher, he knew imme- what you really need to learn.” safety). Whereas all of Bram’s using a firearm, it will work difference between high line and diately that this was what he Hence Bram does not teach sword and armor research was on against a stick or empty hand. But low line. Changing up at one’s wanted to learn and the man he in linear fashion. He teaches cultures long gone, with the jungle not necessarily against a blade. discretion can lead to serious injury wanted to learn from. He had conceptually, that is, he teaches bolo came the blade usage that was And so it goes on down the pyra- to one’s self. The blade cuts found his muse, his master, his others to learn by teaching. At that more recent and made for real mid of default. You can grab a through anything in its path, derived from the myriads of mentor. Prof. Remy was the one time, Bram realized that Remy combat. firearm. Maybe, you can grab a including the user. multi-ethnicity of the Philippine who told him to learn slowly by was giving him something to be These two old “Jungle stick, you can grab a hand, but you Bram always wanted to be Islands. Within Arnis is a fully working hard until the art was proud of and to build on, to live bolos” had buffalo horn handles, cannot grab a blade, unless you are as Remy had encouraged him to functional art of cutting. The really his, to be patient, to under- life through understanding. Remy very light and fast and able to cut willing to lose your fingers and be: A Trainer of Combative Arts. names of Arnis changed with stand how important it is to be was teaching him about life, not deeply. They were magnificent, your hand. He dreamed of teaching Military, region to region, but the soul of smooth in order to be fast and soft fighting. Fighting and Arnis are with very fine thrusting tips. Quite Lots of the currently taught Police and Security as his main Arnis - that act of defending one’s in order to be strong. This master just ways to understand how to recently, out of respect for Remy, disarms do not focus on disarming field of work. Professor Presas personal freedom - pulsed un- showed him that if one trained deal with any situation: to go with for Bram’s teaching, and for the a blade, for the tool is grabbed and blessed the Combat Arnis and changed. Remy clarified to him slowly, one could see, understand the flow. continuity of the Presas art of the rotated or the tool comes in direct CSSD/SC programs of Bram that there are hundreds of styles of and master the why’s of the con- The desire to understand bolo, the Presas Family Bolo was contact with an angulated joint. An Frank. Bram was one who loved Arnis but all use the same prin- cepts. Modern Arnis and Professor steel was a fervor that kept grow- replicated by Ed Schempp, an edged tool in contact with an the blade. Combat stirs his soul. ciples and utilize the same con- Remy Amador Presas showed ing in him. It shows in his knife expert blade craftsman and father angulated joint is called disjointing The Combative Arts aspect of cepts of motion under their per- Bram how to think conceptually: designs, in his art. Bram visualizes of Mosaic Damascus. Ed or de-limbing, that is, in butcher Arnis keeps him humble, he says, sonal labels. Inspired by his “You are already there. It is all the Filipino martial arts motions into Schempp’s replica was made of talk or culinary arts. Disarms “for anyone can die, anyone can be professor, Bram has been in con- same! You must understand and Celtic-type designs, which fre- two layers of longitudinal Mosaic against a knife-wielding opponent hurt, and you can do everything stant search since then of the feel the flow.” (Professor Presas). quently become tattoo flash. Just Damascus over a 60RC core steel. are like putting your hand into a correctly and still fail. That’s real origins of Arnis. And Bram said to himself, “Gee, as he grew conceptually, and Schempp said it was the finest food processor while it’s whirring. combat; Finality.” Professor Remy introduced that’s how I thought martial arts learned to see motion visually, he tactical fighter he has ever made, It’s risky, downright dangerous. In designing his combat him to the “Jungle bolo”. This bolo and fighting should be.” Thus also learned a different kind of and that with great power comes Incidental contact with a stick can systems, Bram did no such thing as has a narrow tip, a piercing point began his odyssey. perspective on life, and a bit more great responsibility. Schempp’s gift be hurtful; incidental contact with reinvent the wheel or come up with Bram attributes his concep- about patience with things as served as a statement that Bram a blade could be fatal. a new way to execute techniques. tual method of teaching to Profes- they happen. was one who knew the Art of the Force to force blocks with What he did was to come up with a sor Remy. “Bram...do you see the Bram’s training under Bolo and treated it with great a stick does not take into consider- better training methodology. It is a differences? Yes? Good... Can you Professor Remy included the respect. ation any edge orientation. Be- repackaging of the conceptual now see it’s all the same? It’s the origins of Arnis. The soul of It has been said that the cause of edge orientation, one things from Arnis and other con- same difference!” Remy’s way of Arnis was defense, based on stick transfers to the blade, but blocks with the flat of the blade, temporary fighting arts. It is tool teaching demanded that you think, the use of the bladed weapon. Bram says that this is not com- not the edge. Edges chip and based. “We use edged, impact and that you actually use your mind, It was protection for the weak pletely true, especially with such break! Blades are not impact tools. projectile tools,” Bram explains. that you see the connections. He against the oppressors. It was techniques as blocking and dis- Steel is hard to make and no one “It’s a Train the Trainer methodol- used to say that the key was an art founded on a simple way arms. One cannot transfer Stick to would sacrifice their edges to ogy. We have to be able to impart translation: that Modern Arnis of transferring knowledge, a Blade directly. One cannot trans- chipping or breaking. Fighters knowledge and usage within a few allowed one to translate between blade art that is Philippine in late from impact tool to cutting would not want to sacrifice such hours of training. That’s how Arnis tool and empty hand. To him it origin, with many aspects tool directly. The purpose is differ- an important tool. Medieval, worked in the old days. In Military and LE (law enforcement) and ber: Rule #1 says, “Steel cuts about knife usage. People tend to means, it escalates and de-esca- force option, yet it can be closed Security fields, I have only 6-12 flesh.” Rule #2 says, “You can’t forget: Knives cut flesh. ALWAYS. lates through the full force con- within usage so as to de-escalate hours to impart my section of change rule #1!” Teaching must be accompanied by tinuum. The Gunting starts out as the force continuum. SWAT maga- training to the students. Then the Learning all aspects of a responsible, ethical, and moral an impact tool that can be used for zine called it “the best less than students have to move on. It’s got empty hands and weapons combat use of blade, and an understanding restraint and control. It can be lethal tool ever designed for Law to be ‘one mind- one way, many is important. One needs empty of what edged tools really do. partially opened to be used as a Enforcement”. Police Marksman weapons’. My guys come home hands to get to one’s tools. For People who have no knife experi- less-than-lethal cutting tool, Magazine called it “the only safely from military combat and CSSD/SC, the empty hands are not ence should not dictate or teach meaning, it is capable of executing legitimate answer for an Officer to LE Street combative situations. “empty hand” concepts. They knife usage. Those who have never bodily damage without having to carry an edged tool.” Police Shot My students have survived street employ tool concepts and defaults really cut anything, never hunted kill. It opens kinetically within gun News called it an historic attacks and assaults. It works real when using empty hands. Just like or worked in a kitchen, should not usage so as to escalate to the lethal event in the world of Law Enforce- time.” regular Arnis, any of the CSSD/SC ask people to wade in and get cut. The fact is, when adrenalin weapons methodology can be “Would you learn driving from Self Defense/Street Combat is pumping, one loses fine motor translated to empty hands. “We use someone who NEVER drove a car? (CSSD/SC). Its training covers all skills. Therefore the techniques firearms, impact tools, edged Would you let a person who never combat ranges. It uses projectile must be simple and direct. It is the weapons, restraint tools and OC used a firearm teach you firearm tools from far way, but also from law of physical reaction. Adrenalin spray,” Bram says. “We are equal safety?” Bram is concerned that we up close and personal. This means dump happens, period. When it opportunity weapon-tool users.” let non-knife users teach the use of firearms, both handguns and rifles. does, trained people sometimes CSSD/SC now operates in the blade and how to defend And also edged tools and impact only move from fine motor thought the USA, UK, Canada, Italy, against it. tools mostly up-close-and-person- to complex motor thought. Unfor- France, Germany, Israel, and Think of edged tool as if a al tools. “Real combative situa- tunately, physical reactions do not Australia, to name a few. Its firearm. Bram emphasizes the need tions take place much closer than follow that easily. Meaning, you instructors teach Military, Law to concentrate on something Remy people care to imagine. This is think you can but your body says Enforcement and Security in these had taught him: Don’t be there. In NOT threat assessment or man- NO! “That’s why the simple gross countries. It continues to grow and other words, get out of the way of agement. This is threat involve- stuff works. It doesn’t look pretty evolve, not just from the master the attack. Use body shifting, get ment! I can reach out and touch but it happens. We get tunnel but from the spirit of innovation of yourself off-line. someone... I can smell them… I’m vision and time distortion as well.” its members as well. Bram’s Bram’s Abaniko blades close! We have to know ranges Bram came up with a system that students understand that they have came out at last. The Abaniko is a because it’s something that is allows for people to function on a stake in this. “For example: fixed blade series designed for talked of, yet in reality, one has no the gross motor skills level, so that David gave us Pac Man grabbing. extreme tactical usage and made by control over combative ranges even with the sh*t hitting the fan, Greg gave us Modular Firearm. Ontario. The Abaniko follows the except in the minute.” CSSD/SC they keep going; they succeed Florian gave us environmental idea of a gross motor skill tool: it is covers long range, middle range, rather than go fetal and die. stress training. Steve gave us held in a standard pistol grip, one close range and grappling range. Knife fighting is a totally restraint and cuffing procedures. of the strongest grips we know of. The core combat principles different matter. Bram’s is the Yuval and Guy gave us Walking There is a 7’ and a 5’ Abaniko. The of CSSD/SC are simple: use Modular combative reaction and the Cuts-Blocks into empty hand knives come with a functional common sense, stay alive, and skills system with an edged tool. It translation. We’ve had second identical training drone. As a knife cheat a lot! Use only bio–mechan- involves SDR: Self Defense generation CSSD instructors Emir designer, Bram made sure that all ical functions that can be done at Response with blade or edged tool. and Tomer come up with a thrust- of Bram’s knife series have Fili- gross motor skills level. The basis Modular is a reasonable, ethical ing flow drill.” And Bram contin- pino names in honor of Remy is “Open-Close”... what will the and moral response to a personal ues to find better ways to teach, Presas and Arnis. They are the body actually do? Stop function. attack by using an edged tool. “I better ways to show the instructors following: Abaniko, Lapu-Lapu, Remember that form follows don’t teach people to ‘fight with how to teach. Gunting, Guro, Gunt-asong, and function. Stop form, stop function knives’. I do teach people how to Some approaches to knife the Gunt-arambit. of the weapon limbs. Shut down save their lives and the lives of teaching must be viewed with Bram’s first folder series is the attacker’s tools. Destroy the their loved ones while using an concern. It is often a case of the highly successful Gunting. He function of the fingers, hand, arms, edged tool.” non-users telling potential users wanted a tool that offered options, making it impossible to use or Bram is the Director and what to do. It’s dangerous to so out came the world’s only utilize a tool. And always remem- Founder of the Common Sense spread urban martial arts myths full-force continuum tool. This ment knives. cutting! to think, to understand, and to The tool itself does not determine ress is not tied to gender. you need to find how you want to The Gunting aids in the Bram often teaches large know that all things change while right from wrong, good guy from Once trained in the martial express what’s in you, how to share removal of suspects from cars. It numbers of students at seminars. they stay the same. He is like a par- bad guy. The heart of the person arts, one has the knowledge of it, how to add to the depth of that aids in body searches, especially He is one who thrives in crowds. ent who wants his children to do does. Therefore it is important how to maim and kill, how to hurt knowledge you give to others. with pockets that might contain They feed off his energy. Not better than him, to surpass him. He that we know, in our teaching that but also how to avoid doing so, It is difficult for those prac- needles or sharp objects… And it unlike a rock star; the bigger the follows the footsteps of his teacher the tool is in the hand of the good and how to teach and impart this titioners who live in areas where really aids in controlling and crowd the more the juices flow! Remy, who wanted his students to guy. But at the same time, it is so knowledge to others. they have no constant instructor. cuffing the suspects! For him, it’s no different from make the art part of their own art. important that we learn what a bad It is very rewarding to So learn from teaching rather than With the Gunting, Bram has actu- teaching several combative units Bram Frank as Mentor guy can do with the tool, so we can teach women in the use of fight- from being dependent on having ally designed a tool that would do at a time. Like he always tells his In his own words relayed to Senior deal effectively with the terror he is ing tools. Women have enough an instructor nearby. Explore the all the Arnis moves and limb de- students, this is not rocket science. Guro Edessa Ramos capable of inflicting. common sense to not relish fight- boundaries. Practice and grow. And This is a train the trainer meth- ing because they understand the watch with enjoyment how you structions, escalate or de escalate Training in knife or bladed Women and Blades in force, execute Dillman Pressure odology that allows beginners to absurdity of testosterone-driven help others grow with you. Visit train with advance students at the weapons is not just about the use of Steel is so cool! it can action. They know the duality an instructor somewhere or go to Point attacks and restraints as well an edged tool. It involves the un- be malleable, hard but brittle, as Wally Jay Small circle Ju Jitsu. same time. It’s easy to learn and of being human, and that is the seminars if you can. You can get everyone can get it very quickly. derstanding of motion. It involves or strong, flexible and of course ability for nurture and at the same additional truths there, but then It was his way of honoring Remy, the critical need to understand an sharp. Steel makes you see how Wally and George. CSSD/SC’s approach to teaching time destruction. move on. Stagnation and repetition attacker’s actions, his abilities with fragile life can be. How serious without originality or creativity can The Gunting system is self defense skills is clear: If it’s a cutting tool, and the repercus- the art is. Why we need to respect On Teaching and Learning easy to learn and the tool usage not reality-based, don’t do it. “I be smothering. Originality only sions of confronting such a person. life. Why we need to train. And Some of you travel and comes from you. is self-evident. The CRMIPT or believe in tool-based self de- The best art of self-defense lies that steel can last for generations or teach all the time. You know that it Close Range Medium Impact Tool fense,” Bram declares. Everyone When you teach be bold, be in the ability to recognize threat, crumble within years, so one needs can get very tiring and lonely, no true, and show them how simple version is a non-lethal non-cutting has the god-given right to defend to recognize the opportunities for to care for it. Steel is a person’s matter if you have friends. There’s version of the Gunting that is per- themselves against attack. And it is. Try to train trainers. Teach a defense and quickly pick out and best friend, mankind’s best friend. just too much of sharing of your- “train the trainer methodology” fect for law enforcement, security, such skills should work effectively apply which of the various meth- Warriors know no gen- self with others, seemingly with military and civilian use. Bram de- for the little girl, the old guy and that supercharges how we learn ods would be most effective. The der. Blades are cool. Women with no end in sight. Thus even pleasur- and understand. You might encoun- signed it as the perfect SDR tool. the young lady, not just the mus- ability to effectively implement the able things like teaching can wear There is of course limited liability cular jock. Therefore it’s got to be ter people who would say that they cutting tool could spell the differ- you down. And that’s normal. don’t need what you’re teaching, in its usage. One can use it against simple, direct and essential. Self ence between life and death. Learning is a daily thing. a knife. It’s like a knife without the defense has to be based on Com- that they know it already. So do Knife is real. Knife is hon- A real teacher is one who realizes not teach them or attempt it until mon Sense even if that element is est. When training with blades, the that he will never know enough. really not so common.” they are ready, if ever they get to first thing we learn is that accessi- And the surest road to knowing be. You are imparting a knowledge It’s exciting to be a student bility is real. A cut does not lie. is to teach. Sometimes you need that has captured you. Your tune is of Bram Frank. It’s exciting Knife training teaches the to hear yourself teach in order to beautiful... sing to those who want to realize after some time art of empty hand: checking, inter- see the truth, to believe finally that to hear your song. how one has evolved. The cepting, inserts. The art of striking you know it already. Professor realization always comes as disarms, joint locks and grappling Remy Presas used to say to us all And always teach that smooth is a surprise, for the process moves. These are only effective the time: Find the art within you; best. is smooth and the develop- if one understands anatomy and make it the art within your art. So Always remember: smooth is fast. ment is subtle. Once the physiology as well as psychologi- teacher has shown the door, cal response to situations. Knife and the student has discov- forces this understanding on the ered the key and how to user. Bram Franks demonstrating the finer points to Senior Guro Edessa Ramos teaches mixed styles of Traditional and Tactical use it, a whole new world A blade is a matter separa- Senior Guro Edessa Ramos Combat Arnis in Zurich, Switzerland. For more information visit: http://www. opens up. It is obvious from tor. It makes no difference whether tntarnis.ch/TnT_Arnis/Welcome_to_TnT.html his training methodology you are using the edge or the point; This article includes portions of an interview by David Foggy courtesy of Bram that Bram aims to create you are dealing with the heart of blades are incredibly cool and Frank. instructors. “Instructors that steel. Steel shapes flesh, steel cuts sexy... and deadly. A small animal Interested in blade training? are better than I am,” he flesh. Flesh guides steel, and it is can fight a bigger animal and win. CRMIPT Visit Bram Frank and his Organization: www.cssdsc.com Close Range Medium Impact Tool version says. He wants his students the human heart that directs it all. The ability to function under du- The Gunting Family of Knives Let’s look at a basic definition of a “Gunting Family Knife” By Bram Frank All Gunting style knives for circular rotation of the blade Family Tree The Gunting Family of Knives: it’s a complete species. have the easy to recognize ramp within one’s grip. These points can Varieties of the Gunting species and indexing, whether they are be bearings, indents, spoon clips, The Gunting family of Escalator: the Escalator was the fixed blades or folders. the ramp and holes through and through, first Gunting member: it was to be knives is ever expanding and is a multi function tool: guard, post in a hole or any variation on sometimes my terminology to de- called the Gunting but the manu- control piece, hand grip, balance the theme. facturer thought it a dumb name scribe that family of knives seems point and leverage point to allow All Gunting knives are to confuse people. I think it’s and asked what it meant. I chose access and use of the tip. All have designed to be used closed. They the connotation of the word Gunt- easiest to understand if I compare ergonomic handles designed to fit trap, lock, control and can be used it to a biological tree: each knife ing: Escalation in Force hence the in one’s hands as if doing lock- like a ball peen hammer or a mini name Eescalator. evolves into another within set ing, trapping, holding a Filipino tomahawk or envision a mini war parameters of definition. In other This was the world’s first weapon properly or a firearm: the hammer like those used by me- Kinetic opening knife and the first words I consider the Gunting to be bottom three fingers are the con- dieval knights in armour. Like a a species of knife with many vari- knife to have a matching trainer trol and stabilization of the tool. Filipino warrior one can either Drone: identical to the live blade eties or types within that species. All gunting style knives whether rake to cut or hammer for impact This species of knives is named knife ever made. The first Impact fixed blade or folders have grab- with a Gunting style knife. tool the CRMIPT- Close Range after Filipino actions and motions. bing teeth on various points, such All Gunting knives have In science they use Latin to make Medium ImPact Tool was an Esca- as on the ramp, butt, back of blade, dual liners and open backs for ease lator. names and in knives and Tacti- and inside the choil area and can of cleaning & strength. The new- cal applications I personally use be used for trapping, locking or est versions are all “jimped” proud Gunting: this is the variety of the Filipino terminology to show my control. liners extending respect and to honor the Filipino All Gunting folding knives past the edge of martial arts. All the Gunting family are Kinetic Openers. They possess the scales. of knives can easily do all Filipino the ability to utilize stored energy All Gunt- actions and limb attacks, as well as and energy in motion to open ing knives can thrusting, tip ripping, tip leading within use. There is no need to escalate and cuts, cutting, trapping, controlling utilize the Thumb hole to open the deescalate within and all Dumog, Arnis and pres- blade, all it needs is contact: just the force contin- sure point control...:The Gunting like a turnstile, the faster you push uum: non lethal, Family of knives have won vari- the lever the faster it spins, the to less than lethal ous acclaim and awards here and faster you hit the Kinetic Ramp the to lethal and abroad and are featured in many faster the knife opens. back down again magazines over the past decade. A scissoring action between to non lethal. As the object and the knife ramp or “a with all forms of gunting motion” opens the knife. Arnis the “Gunt- The knife attacks the limbs or does ing family” of Gunting: Historic Event Award: A Historic event in Knives limb destruction and escalates in knives allows Escalator: the first Kinetic Opening edged tool (top) Gunting: Most Innovative Edged Weapon force from non lethal, to less than for judicious Gunting: Tactical Knife of the Millennium lethal to lethal and back down use of force and The original 356 model Gunting: the second version of Lapu Lapu Corto: IWA’s Tactical Knife of the Year again further fulfilling the connota- the ability to the Kinetic Opening tool (middle) Abaniko: Tactical Knife of the Year tions of the name “Gunting”. use proportional The first 911 model Gunting LLC: Lapu Lapu Corto: Abaniko: Most Innovative Tactical Knife of the Year All Gunting knives possess force responsi- The current version (bottom) Indexing: the ability to go from bly. The 979 model; ergonomics and utility to the MAXX. forward grip to reverse grip and Ok that is The Gunting family of knives is similar and the changes back without taking one’s hands or a basic definition are not just cosmetic. Like Porsche the changes are all fingers off of the knife. There are of species of the for a reason and done to enhance use, control and utility actual indexing points to capture Gunting knives. function. one’s thumb and fingers to allow species sporting the actual name. It the long awaited “women’s answer of knives. This is my way to pay The Siko: a deep bellied Bowie Flo and of course a Gunting cousin to SPYDERCO but my newest was bigger, faster and more like a to knives respect to the Filipino Blade arts version of the gunting. It is a family: the SNAGS by Dr Louis lock the Puzzle lock is rocking: folding Randall 1 on steroids. The The Abaniko: The fixed blade and the Randall family and their Heavy hitter like an elbow strike Krudo. a lock designed for Filipino trap- Gunting sports a Fighting Bowie Gunting on steroids and the Head Model 1. and just as cutting, a serious cousin There is no such animal as ping! style blade and its thick, mas- of the Family tree of “Gunting The Abaniko comes in of the original Gunting. a Gunting without indexing and But back to most knockoffs sive and strong…It’s the 427 AC Fixed blade” knives, The Abaniko three sizes: 7inch, 5 inch and 4 The Eskrimador: a big bladed without a spoon clip… of course it and some of the current knock offs: Shelby Cobra of the Gunting Fam- is the premier tactical fixed blade inch blades. Tactical fighter with homage to the goes without saying it must have a it’s/ they are INCREDIBLY well ily of Tactical Folders. It accom- for Military and LE. It cuts deeply, The MAXX: a small very flat Kin- Presas Bolo Knife ramp. Unless someone has scales done. They were being sold on plished much on power and ability thrusts through steel and vest OP knife to replace the old mouse.. custom made without indexing or Ebay as real.. I had Ebay ask them to apply its techniques. This is still The Guro: a Filipino Bowie blade to not say it’s a REAL Gunting… plates and doors, and traps with MAXX catches mice... matched with a Espada / bolo of a spoon clip presentation... There my favourite knife. The Gunting2 the best of the Gunting family is a current knock-off coming but just a Gunting look like... Yes it is on its way shortly. the same beep belly bowie: a mod- says Spyderco on it. Yes it’s got my ern style Espada y Daga set. out of Thailand… It’s a GREAT Gunting: LLC-Lapu Lapu knock off… I use that term only logo… no it’s not real: both logos Corto: it’s clearly a member of The Rndl1: a special homage to because it’s not authorized... It has are copies! What do you want? It’s the Gunting family but its handle Bo Randall and his famous Model a high hollow grind, G10 scales, a good knock off.. I had a student is more pistol like and it’s the first 1 fighter...Bo Randall did Filipino a regular Spyderco clip, (yes they actually buy me one in Thailand Gunting to possess proud liners knife work and loved Sumbrada. have copied the clip AND logo) from the people posting on Ebay to and my newest lock the puzzle The Gunt-a-Song: a Balisong with no indexing and its NOT our blade add to my collection… I just saw lock. It is named after the legend- KinOP features, indexing and twirl steel, it’s 440 not CPM S440V... my first knock offs of the Lapu ary Filipino Chieftain Lapu Lapu. points the ramp is a bit different and the Lapu Corto. Again a great copy! It has proud liners which are all blade shape is a variation on a Well let’s go with the flow The Gunt-a -Neck: a very small and say unless my knives weren’t jimped with grabbing teeth, bronze Gunting for reserve... a Gunt-a- theme.. It has a regular liner lock phosphor washers and great lines. NOT a , nor a successful, weren’t great designs, stub a very tiny Gunting neck there would be no need to copy It’s the first with the VILL system. knife slicer designed by Florian. puzzle lock... (Another sure sign It comes in three sizes: mini, stan- it’s NOT really mine or one of my them. So copying them, knocking A Gunting derivative fixed blade them off or the act of imitation is dard and Magnum. by Florian.. the Gunting Everyday designs) I lost the Compression lock the most sincere form of flattery Gunting - Desangut: The original fixed blade: a small carry knife by and acclaim. No worries! Kerambit - Karambit of the Philip- pines. There is no such knife as the Be Safe Karambit-Kerambit in the Philip- Bram pines, it is the SANGUT… ca- pable of forward cutting as well as reverse. Our Desangut can change from forward to reverse grip and back Its named after the Sangut Master Edessa Ramos hence the full name Desangut. Gunting - Tusok: the basic Gunt- ing-LLC-Desangut modified to fit a woman’s hand. It’s a useful tool that has a piercing tip, cleaning finger nails, getting a splinter out, catching a thread….non cutting front edge and a wicked reverses curved mini blade. A complete useful Kinetic Opening EDC. A “little poke” as Professor Presas used to call it; and sure enough it’s a little poke with big results. It’s Photo by Mike Weissberg Bram Frank’s Conceptual Modern Arnis Principles and Concepts of the Filipino Martial Art of Professor Remy Presas Translations and Innovations by Bram Frank Covering Filipino: Stick, Knife and Empty hand fight- ing.

The final version called “Conceptual Modern Arnis” is currently available from LuLu publishing. Production Book version is $69 USD from Lulu. Click Here The book is on Amazon.com Click Here The book is on Barnes & Noble.com Click Here

From Bram Frank My Arnis book is done in regular production version from LULU is $69 USD and custom hand done version / printed by printer: laser copies. Color cover front and rear, signed copies with my seal are $175 USD each for the 502 page book with step by steps and history of Arnis Blade work... shipping $10 USA $35 outside USA. Paypal: [email protected]

This book is for informational purposes only. The techniques and concepts demonstrated herein are not to be used in public, on others, nor is any claim made to the effectiveness of anything shown in the book The techniques shown are classical Filipino fighting techniques with empty hand, bolo or knife and are not intended for any use but are for the study of Filipino martial art and the study of martial art in general. Do not ever practice these techniques without proper supervision and instruction, do not EVER use a live blade ( sharp blade) to enact, copy or practice anything shown in this book. The author and publisher of this book accept no responsibility or liability for use, misuse, or abuse of the techniques within nor any injury or damage coming from the use, misuse, abuse of the techniques and concepts depicted within this book. School Submission The schools listed teach Filipino martial arts, either as the main curriculum or an added curriculum. If you have a school that teaches Filipino martial arts, or you are an instructor that teaches, but does not have a school, list the school or style so individuals who wish to experience, learn and gain knowledge have the opportunity. Be Professional; keep your contact information current. - Click Here

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