TRAINING AT TYPHOON PHILIPPINE SCHOOL OF MARTIAL ARTS

 

 

Although we offer techniques from around the world, our approach to training is clearly from the Filipino school of thought. At Typhoon, we use high repetitions of skills already learned to enhance performance and speed your ability to use these skills. While many schools are satisfied with their students merely learning the martial art, at Typhoon School, we require students to ascend to a level many martial artists do not—to be able to execute these techniques against a resisting, unwilling opponent. We have several methods by which we accomplish this; the most important and frequently used is many repetitions of the same technique. Of course, this training method is not as entertaining as the fast-paced and exciting as “fast-food” martial arts. This is why our school is for only the most serious-minded martial arts student. If you want to achieve a high level of skill in the martial arts, the following is the method we use to help you reach that level.

 

 

Physical Fitness

Physical prowess is an attribute many in the martial arts world like to downplay. Whether they deem its unimportance is due to their lack of a fit body or not, technique alone does not ensure success in a self-defense situation. At the Typhoon Philippine School of Martial Arts, one of our highest goals for you is that you will be stronger, faster and more durable than the next man. Knowing self-defense technique does one little good without the physical strength to inflict damage. Being fit gives you endurance, makes your body resistant to your opponent’s attack and gives you confidence in knowing that you cannot be easily dominated.

 

At each level of your training, we set strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness goals for you. As you learn more advanced technique, you should be increasing your physical strength as well. From the first day of training to your first year anniversary, you should double your strength. For example, if you can barely do 10 pushups on your first day of training, on your one-year anniversary your should be able to easily do 20. Depending on your age, size and strength on your first day of class, we anticipate that you should be able to perform 100 pushups on the day you receive your Black Belt. For adults, the Black Belt will only be awarded to those who can perform 100 pushups and successfully fight 10 opponents, back-to-back, without rest. For children, we have similar goals (depending on age) including a six-board breaking set.

 

Flexibility is also an important attribute of the martial arts fighter. Those who are limber may easily execute movements without straining or losing balance. This comfort level also means that one will be able to move more efficiently, quicker and stronger. By flexibility, we are referring to more than the legs. The muscles in the back should be limber to allow faster twisting movements, and to allow the fighter to maintain an upright position when kicking and punching. A limber body will allow you to attack your opponent from a farther distance, which is advantageous to shorter fighters.

 

Finally, being fit allows the martial artist to feel confident and indomitable. When you are energetic and strong, your mind is alert and you feel less threatened when in the face of adversity. As the saying goes for the barehanded fighter of the Philippine martial arts, “While your technique may not be superior to your opponent, you should be able to overpower him with your strength. And when you cannot overpower him, your body should be able to withstand whatever punishment he may try to inflict. Either way, know that your opponent cannot hurt you.”

 

Learning New Technique

How quickly you learn a new technique is not important. What is more important is that you develop what you have learned into useful tools for combat. Many students of martial arts (and some teachers) feel that learning a variety of techniques is sufficient. However, collecting techniques is the same as collecting a fleet of cars without regards to whether you know how to drive, or if the cars even run. As you learn new material at Typhoon School, you should try to “get your 500”. The phrase “get your 500” refers to a saying in the Philippine martial arts, that a new technique learned must be performed 500 times at full speed and power before the fighter will be able to effectively use it in a combat situation. Unless your techniques have been performed many times over and become second nature, your self-defense becomes like a new dance step that you haven’t practiced. Sure, you can recall the technique with some thought, but when an opponent attacks you, there is no time for thought! For techniques to be executed efficiently, they should strike without thought, or striking “by itself”. To illustrate, think of a ball player who is in a suit, at work. When a friend surprises him by throwing a ball of paper at him, he catches the paper without thought. How the ball was thrown is not important; nor is what was thrown! The martial artist is the same way. He should be able to react using his skills within a fraction of a second without having time to consider any details of his situation.

 

As a student of Typhoon School, you will learn more perhaps than the average student of any other martial arts school. However, one should be patient and perfect all of the skills taught. By doing so, and not rushing, the martial arts fighter will achieve the skill level of his daydreams.

 

Rank Promotions

Promotion for Typhoon Kuntaw students is similar to that of most martial arts schools. We follow the same belt scheme as many styles except Typhoon students earn the first belt. The Belt levels are as follows:

1.      No Belt (Beginner level I)

2.      White (Puti) Belt (Beginner level II)

3.      Yellow (Dilaw) Belt (Beginner level III)

4.      Green (Lunti) Belt (Intermediate level I)

5.      Blue (Bughaw) Belt (Intermediate level II)

6.      Purple (Lila) Belt (Intermediate level III)

7.      Brown (Kayumanggi) Belt (Advanced level I)

8.      Red (Pula) Belt (Advanced level II)

9.      Red/Black (Pula at Itim) Belt (Advanced level III/Black Belt Candidate)

10.  Black (Itim) Belt First Degree (Expert/Dalubhasa)

11.  Black Belter Second Degree (Instructor/Guro)

12.  Black Belter Third Degree (Senior Black Belt/Punong Guro)

 

There are approximately 3 months between each belt level. Requirements for each level are taught within the first 6 weeks, and the remainder of that time period is spent perfecting those skills. Exams are given in private to ensure full concentration, and upon graduation of that level, a public demonstration is made of your skills prior to a certificate and belt presentation ceremony. A small fee is charged for promotions, which help pay for the belt, certificate and ceremony.

 

To graduate from a belt level, one must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the requirements of that level. You may be asked to demonstrate the technique, execute the technique in sparring, and defend from the technique or answer questions about its execution and use. As you progress to the higher levels, the grading standards are stricter, so practice becomes more important. When pursuing Advanced levels, you may also be asked to break a board (or multiple boards for adults) with the techniques. It is at these levels that your skill will be compared to your physical strength.

 

We will not reveal our testing requirements for each level. However, here are the breaking requirements for children:

Puti: One board with Thrust Kick

Dilaw: One Board with Side Kick (and Reverse Punch for Teens)

Lunti: One Board with Back Kick (and Knife Hand for Teens)

Bughaw: One Board with Axe Kick, One Board with Reverse Knife Hand

(Two Boards with Side Kick and Reverse Knife Hand for Teens)

Lila: One Board with Jump Side Kick, One Board with Reverse Punch for

Children/One Board with Back Fist for Teens

Kayumanggi: One Board with Spinning Hook Kick, Two Boards with Reverse

Punch for Teens

Pula: One Board with Jumping Back Kick, One Board with Elbow Strike (Two

Boards for Teens)

Pula at Itim: Two Boards—any technique for Children, Three Boards—any

Technique for Teens, Six-Board Combination Break (Any Tech’s)

 

Finally, the Black Belt First Degree is awarded after the student has demonstrated the following requirements:

ü      proficiency in all of the techniques of Typhoon Kuntaw

ü      ability to spar against two opponents

ü      various physical fitness requirements (including performing 50 pushups for children and 100 for adults)

ü      breaking requirements (two for children, three for teens and four for adults)

ü      the 10-opponent match (fight 10 different opponents, back-to-back, with 30 seconds rest; no rest for Adults)

Our requirements are difficult, when compared to that of other styles. However, we take the awarding any level highly serious, and our students will be of the highest caliber of any martial arts community.