KTS-Sensei-Bottom-Menu

DLP DVD #3 and #4 Reviews – Solo and Partner Practice

Welcome to KunTao Silat ~ the American Martial LifeStyle Forums Learning KunTao Silat Course Reviews DLP DVD #3 and #4 Reviews – Solo and Partner Practice

Viewing 3 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • #582
      John
      Participant

      The Solo Practice DVD covers a lot of the Kembangan. Dance. Although there are Kembangan clips throughout the DVD's, and some footage is duplicated, I don't see this as an issue. The other DVD's would have been lessened without the logical linking to the freestyle forms. This is the consolidation of clips, plus some new clips as well. Thinking of the DLP program like a spider's web, there has to be overlap in order to strengthen each strand. The Forms DVD would be weaker without seeing the movements done in freestyle ala kembangan. Likewise, its important to see things divided up into logical groups and having all resources on a subject in one place. This Kembangan DVD, more importantly, includes a nice dual bladed kembangan by Maha Guru Steve, which is worth noting. As I said, in prior reviews, as a freestyle method (akin to Carenza in Kali/Escrima/Arnis, shadowboxing, etc), it is an opportunity to let practiced and regimented movement from the forms flow freely, to create new links and sequences, and to experiment with altering movement variables (i.e.: making movements larger or smaller, reversing movements, interrupting a single move to flow into a different one). This makes a fantastic resource, letting you see how the masters move freely, and which movements they choose to do. Great resource.The Partner Practice DVD shows multiple different partner drills. In order to learn how to fight, there needs to be a progression. Solo practice without equipment, solo practice with equipment (mook jong, heavy bag, rattan circle, etc), cooperative partner practice, non-cooperative partner practice, and then to sparring. Sparring still doesn't duplicate a fight, but its close. The problem is with sparring, certain moves need to be completely eliminated. There's not enough control in a chaotic environment like that to use high-percentage, dangerous movements. Furthermore, injury from very hard sparring will side-line training as injuries occur (I'm still harboring a few nagging injuries from sparring years ago). As you get older, injuring yourself becomes less appealing. This DVD features sticky hands drills (training sensitivity or "listening energy"), stick hand drills with knives (OH YEAH!), "Monkey Foot Drills" similar to "Nempel Khaki" or sticky feet, and then spontaneous cooperative partner drills. It focuses on spontaneity, and being able to "flow" with the chaotic variable changes in a fight scenario. What a great and logical progression from the solo practice.This is how you get good. Find movements, master the movements, make them your own, and then learn the attributes required to use them in a non-controlled environment through an escalating scale of difficulty. I must admit to being jealous of seeing the partner practice. I hope to be able to find good people like the folks in the video, to train with locally to accelerate my growth.A+ and A+.John

    • #1440
      Anonymous
      Inactive

      “This is how you get good. Find movements, master the movements, make them your own, and then learn the attributes required to use them in a non-controlled environment through an escalating scale of difficulty. I must admit to being jealous of seeing the partner practice. I hope to be able to find good people like the folks in the video, to train with locally to accelerate my growth.”Brother, you've hit paydirt. I trust that among all the fine Serak practitioners you know, there will be a few willing to play. Your group, from Pak Vic, encompasses many exceptional practitioners looking for a home. Please provide them an open invitation to AKTS and include them in your practice group if they are willing. I'm sure you know that will paint a big grin on Steve's face! He's looking for those kind of exceptional individuals to carry the lineage forward. Peace,Art

    • #1441
      John
      Participant

      Too true. Many of us are still good friends. Unfortunately, since then, many of us have had additional responsibilities added that have made finding training time more difficult. But Lord knows I'm verbose and love to nag. 🙂 I'll talk to 'em. Of my three closest friends there, one was always interested in Kuntao, the other is ranked in Kuntao and I'm sure would love to play, and the other being very busy may appreciate the opportunities the DLP may offer. Good pt. I'll start calling them. And I'm always looking for an excuse for us to get together again. Good people. John

    • #1442
      Anonymous
      Inactive

      It probably goes without saying that Steve would never kick them out or strip their rank. That was the point where he and Victor had their terminal disagreement.

Viewing 3 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.