A question about hitting...

kamagong · Jan 13, 2001

First a little about myself. I am a novice in the FMAs. I studied Kali for a few months, but I had to quit as I was having trouble finding time to train during school. It's been a couple of years since then, and I have forgotten most of what I had learned. One thing I do remember though is practicing drills with a partner. I can't remember the drills, but I recall hitting the ends of our sticks together, maybe 1" away from the tip. Is that the area we should be using for hitting? I am painfully aware of my own lack of experience, but I do not think that the part I was using was the optimum area (i.e. sweet spot) for hitting. I think that the sweet spot would be anywhere from 2-4" from the tip. Am I wrong? If so, please educate me.

One other thing. I just graduated recently and I have discovered that I have a lot more free time. I think now is the perfect time to start studying the FMAs again. Could you guys give me some contact info on good schools in the Los Angeles area. Thanks for everything.

Smoke · Jan 13, 2001

Kamagong, the IMB academy and the Dogbrothers should be available to you.

The drill you mentioned has a lot of purposes like developing power and REACH, some folks can't hit at long or short range distances. At medium to close range, you can use the sweet spot below the tip.

Eskrimador1 · Jan 13, 2001

Double Post

[This message has been edited by Eskrimador1 (edited 01-13-2001).]

Eskrimador1 · Jan 13, 2001

The IMB Academy will offer a free lesson if you want to check out the classes. Sifu Richard teaches almost all the classes these days (Muay Thai, JKD, FMA). I think Fernando still teaches the BJJ. The IMB website is:

www.pimweb.com/imb

Call (310) 793-0290 for more info.

Dave

K Williams · Jan 14, 2001

Go to the following websites for a listing of FMA schools. Do a search by city or state(for the FMA Directory).

http://www.pekiti-tirsia.org:8080/FMA/index.html

http://www.MartialArtsResource.com/filipino/filframe.htm

kamagong · Jan 14, 2001

Thank you. One more question. I am interested in learning the art of the sword, particularly the barong and sundang. Which styles would suit what I am looking for? Thanks again.

thekuntawman · Jan 14, 2001

to answer your question about the best place to hit on the stick, i believe that is the closest part to the end of the stick. the farther back you hit the less power you will have. try hitting a target you will see what i mean.

i recommend making your accuracy very high on your list. many people are good at generating power while they or standing still or moving at the target. but the hardest type of target is one that is moving while you are moving. may i suggest sparring with a friend who is holding a stick will a t-shirt wrapped around (with duck tape) the top 4 inches? now you spar with this guy and you try to hit his thigh, shoulder or the tip of that t-shirt. dont do any blockings just attack that shirt if he comes at you or move out of the way. this exercise will help the both of you. (you can also practice your witik against the t-shirt in defense if you like to do the largo mano style). you will develop good accuracy with the stick which is more important that just what part is more important to hit with. as you become more accurate, you will be able to land with that "sweet spot".

crecy · Jan 18, 2001

About the stick drills. I used these extensively when I taught straight baton to LE. I feel that they are most valuable in teaching and developing good swinging form, which is the real key to power i.e. economy of movement, most muscle groups incorporated in the shortest swing time. When performed with an experienced partner you have (hopefully) a moving picture of your goal before your eyes, worth 100,000 words ala "monkey see, monkey do".
About the sweet spot, it is not the most crucial point but hitting with it will transfer the most energy because less of the force is lost to vibrations in the stick. This is something well know by batters in baseball. When you hit the ball and there is no vibration, you know you hit the sweet spot. You can find this in your stick by holding it in one hand and using another stick to hit it. Just tap solidly at 90 deg. near the end of stick 1 and you will find where the vibration is least, the "sweet spot"! Now if you change your grip up and down stick 1 you will see that the sweet spot changes. You can even move it off the end of the stick. Like I said, not crucial, but interesting.

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