Shouldn't that really read: "Not all FM Artists are good Martial Artists" ?

I've lost count of the supposed highly skilled, and very experienced FMA practitioners who, when asked to deliver a No. 1 angle strike (or whatever), will draw their stick back prior to delivering the hit.

Sometimes, after I've speared them in the gut with my stick, at the instant that they drew their stick back, they get the point - quite literally! Many, however, fail to learn from the…

Hello, everyone. I practice Counterpoint Tactical Systems and Cacoy Doce Pares in the Saint Louis, MO region. I've joined this network to expand my knowledge of the FMAs and find some cool videos.



I'm in the beginning stages of starting my own Counterpoint Tactical Systems club in Saint Louis, and I blog about my FMA experiences on my club's website. Currently, I work in the aerospace industry in Saint Louis, and in December, I'll graduate with a Master's degree in creative…

 I never put much though into it before until last night when I decided to teach some students a few drills that I learned when I was first studied "Kali" here in the United States.  After one of my students began performing the drills he said, "seriously?"  After explaining and examining the differences in concepts and principles from what I learned in the beginning and what I teach as my base FMA system, I came to the same conclusion. There were so many fallacies I discovered in what I'd…

      Good day to all practitioners of Filipino Martial Arts here at myfma.net.

My name is Mumbakki and I wish to be a part of your community.  Just a few years ago I was a member of other martial arts site but I decided to just be in the shadows and momentarily stay out of any discussions.  I saw the names of some good friends here in your site, and this gave me the thought of going back and participate once more.

I am a Filipino, a native from the…

Had great workout with one of my morning students on small blades.  We use a hard focus pad as the target and arm guard and glove with my knife hand, that is the secondary target. The drill is like a boxing drill of get the focus pad 1st, look out for the the punch but instead you use the the knife to counter attack. I always use safety glasses for eye protection safety. I have a variety of training knives in different sizes, these are great for working with copies of tactical folders,…

We had a great class Saturday and it was topped off by having one of my students pass her #1 test.  Now, this isn't an earth shattering event as I have had many students get to this point but in Pat's case, it is really significant.  Pat was one of my first students way back in the day when I was teaching cardio boxing at the Oakland Athletic Club.  Pat is one of those students who had life insert itself into her training.  Before she had the chance to test her #1's in Escrima, she met a man…

Back in the day in  Leo's basement.... If someone had a question about a technique Leo would get up and show you how to execute it. it would usually leave no doubt in your mind of the effectiveness of the technique. Sometimes after practice some of the senior graduates/instructors who would hang out in the basement after Leo would leave.. would be working on techniques from the class or other things they may have learned elsewhere. Of course arguments would arise on wether it would work at…

Our guest last week was Professor Felipe Jocano of the University of the Philippines and Lightning Scientific Arnis International. We had a great discussion on the topic of "Pinoy" (Filipino) culture and its impact on the Filipino Martial Arts.  The Professor had some great stories and filled in some valuable information including the development of FMA throughout the history of the Philippines, Carenza/Moro Moro plays and the role of weaponry and training throughout the generations.  I…

Yesterday, I received a crushing phone call.  One of my Soldiers committed suicide. 

I was in shock, and numerous emotions were running through my head.  Grief, that a man I had served with and trained was gone, frustration that there was nothing I could do to turn back time and stop it, and anger that he ask for help.

I got home from work, and my wonderful fiancée let me unload my grief on her.  But it was still there, along with the rage and frustration.

So I…

I want to Congratulate GM Wade Wiliams on his recent induction and continued support and sharing of knowledge to FMA...

http://tracypress.com/view/full_story/19755147/article-Local-escrima-instructor-gains-Hall-of-Fame-status?instance=sports_lead_story_left_column 

The Way of the Blade Seminar has come and gone...and it has been a great day!  Guro D.J. Kennedy gave some excellent feedback during the training and Guro Noah Walt was a great sport being my demonstration partner for most of the day!  Guro Phil Nadela was also a great help as he alternated being my demo partner with Guro Noah...sorry that I punched him in his bad knee a couple of times during the Suntukan training...yikes!  All in all, it was a great day as I learned just as much from the…

Greetings all!

Just curious as to see what everyone's preferences are in knives here.  Considering the wide variety of tactical/fighting knives we have today, this should (hopefully) generate a good amount of variety!  This can also include knives that one desires to own or try.

To start off, my current favorite blade that I own is my RAT ESEE 5.  It's a beast of a knife, not the fastest, but it would sure do some damage.  The canvas micarta handles are very…

Hello and good day,

I was looking for a little help.  I am trying to hold a San Miguel Seminar in Alexandria, Va.  Would anyone know where would be a good place to host the advent?

I put the this question on the internet and what I received  back was maybe Bruce Lee or Jet Li or some MMA fighter.  But I was not satisfied, I would think there is someone who is proficient in the arts from open hand forms to weapon forms to fighting with weapons and then finally full contact fighting.  If a person can perform in every phase of the arts and be the best, then I think that is your best martial artist in the world.  What are your thoughts on this question?

John Prine wrote a line that comes to me on days like today "the years just flow by like a broken down dam".  I stood in front of a tight framing crew 11 years ago and wept while I told them to high-tail it out of the city before they took out the bridges.  I was furious, still am.  And, I was heart broken.  I never felt so worthless in my life.  All the years of training and all I could do, like so many, was watch the events unfold on TV; hoping for the best, coming to grips with the…