Non Linear Striking Patterns

By Tom Kier and Jeff Chung

"Our system of blade operation has no visible targets; all of our targets are under the skin. For that reason, a number of the designs of our blades are made for cutting from the inside out." ...Chris Sayoc

A thrust is a thrust, and a slash is a slash. This is the common idea held and promoted by most knife training systems around the world today. In addition to this simple notion, is the concept of commonly taught striking angles of attack using a bladed weapon? These angles typically represent straight line striking and thrusting patterns of entry into a target.

It is now well known that Sayoc Kali is a feeder-based system. One’s progression in training within the system is dependent upon having learned very specific skills and a mature understanding of how basic techniques of tapping, striking, clearing, thrusting and retrieval of the blades within a skirmish are used. Not many individuals have achieved the necessary conditioning, and requisite training levels to be able to get into these lines of attack. Once learned, though, these particular striking patterns are fairly unstoppable and will elicit from a receiver, the untrained, reflexive responses, a knife exponent desires, to allow entry at will, and unopposed termination of a target.

Examples of the non-linear striking patterns are the S-striking patterns, which are done in a corkscrew or spiraled motion. These types of strikes are a combination of C-cutting movements in conjunction with thrusts to different target areas. The other example of a non-linear thrust is a skewed offset directional movement. This type of action may be considered a dipping thrust.

To practice these types of non-linear striking patterns, we incorporate their use into the 3 of 9 count template practice, as well as the first transitional flow drill. The striking patterns, as all other techniques taught within the system, are done in movement and are designed to follow with any drill that we practice. During the practice of our drills, we are always striving for an optimum balance of defense and offense. At the highest level of performance of these drills, these given strikes are the ONLY options available to achieve entry.

Practicing and learning the non-linear striking patterns offer to the practitioner many, many benefits to the development of useful knife skills. Some of the benefits are listed as follows:

• These motions teach the primary stages of pinning an opponent’s arm, to their bodies; when the knives are working in such close proximity to the defender, the hands are very close to the body as well, and therefore the fingers and the arms are very vulnerable and likely to be pinned.
  

• By combining different grips such as the extended thumb grips, grabbing grips, etc, we can learn to more effectively use all the tools taught in the rudimentary levels of training to a higher effectiveness and better understanding of use.
  

• Use of the non-linear striking patterns in practice allows for training of elite hand trapping, these trapping movements are incredibly subtle and refined, and often unseen by even those highly trained in blade work.
  

• These striking patterns teach the feeder ease of entry with given thrusting attacks.
  

• Practice of ambidextrous movements, as compared to other Sayoc striking patterns which are often side specific...these particular patterns can be mirrored; these ambidextrous movements of the blade teach the feeder how to be able to apply more refined trapping as well, which negates the defenders’ typical clearing patterns.

One of the reasons that non-linear striking patterns work so well, is that in the delivery of these strikes, the levels of height and presentation will change continuously, this makes the ease of perceptual tracking extremely difficult.

Guiding Principles when executing Non-Linear Striking Patterns:

• Clearing moves are used on fingers; because the finger bones and the wrist are not as strong as the forearm bones... this ensures that the strikes will have a higher degree of success for entry; with live blades. It is expected that the defender will often lose fingers as the point finds its way into the body; as the defender is typically unused to seeing patterns of this fashion, they often end up in a position, where the fingers and extremities may get severely cut and damaged.
  

• When practicing drills using the non-linear patterns, we try not to use slashes...we strive for thrusts...in these drills, slashing are considered a weakness.
  

• Thrusts may follow the elbow line into the body...as we do our strikes, we can implement high or low pinning taps, this will allow for the thrust into our targets, but when we use the tap, we cancel out the need for an S-type of a strike.
  

• When applying these strikes along the elbow line, the receiver/defender often cannot track the blade, and their movements to defend will actually bring the blade into themselves, so they will usually get cut or stabbed while attempting to defend against these strikes. The only way to defeat these types of thrusts along the elbow line, are if they are familiar with corkscrew parries. These parries are designed to counter these strikes directly.

Advanced Principles for the execution of Non-Linear Striking Patterns:

• These patterns may often be supplemented by gliding thrusts, and power assisted movements using the flat of the blade, and off our own hand/wrist positioning to ensure proper entry.
  

• Often the blade hand may be positioned for taps as the blade point makes its way into the body.

Tuhon Chris Sayoc has only begun to publicly release this material during the summer of 2000. Before this, only the core personnel within the Sayoc family were privy to these materials and technology. Initially, when first showing this material to the public, there were only 7 rudimentary non-linear striking patterns shown. Currently we are demonstrating 12 movements, but the reality is, that with increased comprehension, there are limitless possibilities.

Sayoc Kali continues to set the pace and standard for state of the art edged weapons technologies. The non-linear striking patterns is but yet another example of the system’s many unreleased tactics and training methods the rest of the martial arts world has not yet seen nor realized. As Tuhon Sayoc continues to release information to the public, the standards of skill and excellence will continue to rise and move forward. To be the best prepared in an edged weapons confrontation, training in Sayoc Kali is an obvious choice to be made.