Triangle Throwing in Silat

[the Khazar Kid]

I have heard that Indonesian Silat uses a Triangle theory of imbalancing and throwing an opponent. How is this practiced? Is it the same as the Happo-no-Kuzushi (Eight Directions of Imbalance) used in Japanese Jujitsu?

 

[Vorpal Digits]

Many systems of silat use the triangle concept for throwing. (Silat is scattered widely throughout the Indonesian/ Malaysian/ Filipino archipelago, and was primarily a tribal method of self-defense. As such, effectiveness and styles vary greatly due to knowledge, experience, exposure, culture, geography, environment, religion and physical attributes of tribal inhabitants.)

The triangle concept for throwing in several silat styles is multi-leveled; however, it's most basic approach does include the eight directions principle used by japanese ju-jitsu. Other levels include utilizing the triangle in identifying points on the body that are more susceptible to imbalance, understanding rotational planes to assist in throwing, realizing collapsing areas with gravitational assistance, and others.

I am sure there are others who are better qualified than myself who can shed more light.

 

[Samurai6]

Most of my tiny knowledge of Silat comes from a couple of tapes by Stevan Plenck (hope I spelled that right). What I have seen was based on the standard triangular footwork model from Indonesion, Malaysian, and Filipino systems, and employed what Plenck calls the BAL principle, base, angle, leverage.

Base refers to stepping into trapping range and weighting your forward foot. This forward foot is placed just inside or outside of the enemy's forward leg to prevent him from repositioning it to regain balance. Angle is then applied, meaning pulling or pushing the enemy in a direction perpendicular to his centerline of balance, the standard principle of unbalancing. Leverage is a strike or push to accelerate the enemy over and down, possibly sweeping the enemy's forward foot at the same time. Simplicity itself.