Filipino Martial Arts

There are many Filipino martial arts, with a great variety of techniques and training methods. However, most FMA's are well known for their use of weapons and begin training with weapons first, later moving on to empty hands. Commonly some combination of these weapons are trained: single sword, single stick, double sword, double stick, single knife, double knife (knife is trained in various ways, hammer grip, ice pick grip, or both), sword and knife, gun, empty hands, etc..

Weapons play a major role in self defense, both in learning to defend against them and in learning to use them to create an advantage against larger and stronger opponents, multiple opponents, and armed opponents. The Filipino martial arts emphasize effective use of modern weapons more than any other martial art today. For that reason, they heavily influence all training in Hertao.

Although we draw from a relatively large variety of Filipino martial arts in Hertao, the primary influence has been Pekiti Tirsia. You'll find detailed techniques and training methods in the pages below:

Hertao Weapon Curriculum

• Stick and Sword - Material that applies to both long blunt and long sharp weapons.
• Knife - Empty hand vs. knife & knife vs. knife.
• Palm Stick - The use of short blut objects.
• Chain - Material that applies to linked and/or flexible weapons.
• Double Stick - The use of two long blunt or long sharp weapons.
• Projectiles - Use and defense against pepper spray, guns, and any object you can throw.

See the following videos for more information:

Sombrada Explained


Pekiti Tirsia Knife Tapping

Additional Benefits of FMA Training

In addition to learning how to use and defend against weapons, training with weapons will provide knowledge and skills that translate well to empty hands. While getting punched in the face isn't pleasant, it's nothing compared to getting stabbed, hit in the head with a hammer, or sliced in the neck with a machete. Training with weapons will add new dimensions to your footwork, because especially when dealing with long sharp weapons, you had better get out of the way! So in Filipino martial arts you find very effective footwork not seen in the majority of martial arts today. And, combining this deep and angular footwork, covering, and trapping with "dirty tactics" like eye strikes and groin slaps will give you an advantage you'd never have through styles like boxing, Thai boxing, etc.

The angles of attack that can be used with weapons are also different from those most commonly used in empty hand fighting. However, these angles can be used in empty hand situations. So training with weapons will also lead to skill in unconventional angles of attack and methods of defense.