Various pairs of pencak silat techniques: Art and self-defense

In pencak silat training, there are two main types of training: single and paired training.

Brilio.net - Pencak silat, as a traditional martial art native to Indonesia, has various techniques and methods that include elements of art and self-defense. In pencak silat training, there are two main types of training: single and pair training. This pair training aims to improve real fighting skills and hone defense and attack techniques in direct situations with opponents.

This article will discuss several types of paired pencak silat techniques that are often used in training. These techniques are designed to help athletes understand how to deal with an opponent's attack while also practicing effective attacking skills.

The technique of welcoming attacks is one of the pair techniques that teaches how to face and fend off attacks coming from the opponent. In this series, one person acts as the attacker, while the other acts as the defender and fends off the attack.

Welcoming an attack usually involves responsive hand and foot movements. The task of the silat practitioner is to adjust his body movements, avoid the attack with the right steps or stances, and use blocking techniques to stop the opponent's attack. After blocking an attack, the silat practitioner must also be able to launch a quick and precise counterattack.

Example techniques:

• Upper block : The silat athlete defends against an attack to the head by raising his hand to block.
• Lower block : Used to block low attacks, such as kicks or punches to the stomach.

The dodge technique is a series of movements to avoid an opponent's attack without the need to make direct contact. In this technique, the fighter tries to move his body quickly in a safe direction, so that the opponent's attack does not hit the target.

Paired evasion drills involve the attacker launching an attack, while the opponent must be able to dodge it quickly. This technique requires precision and quick response to ensure the silat practitioner can avoid the attack and then prepare to counterattack or defend further.

Example techniques:

• Side dodge : Moving the body to the side to avoid a straight attack from the front.
• Back dodge : Step back quickly to avoid a punch or kick.

Locking technique is one of the important techniques in paired pencak silat, which aims to restrain the opponent's movement and make him unable to move or fight back. This technique is usually done after successfully making a catch or after taking advantage of the opponent's carelessness.

Pair lock training is done with one silat athlete trying to catch or hold the opponent's movement. While the other silat athlete tries to free himself from the lock. This technique requires strength, precision, and strategy to lock the opponent effectively.

Example techniques:

• Neck lock : Attacking by holding or locking the opponent's neck so that they cannot move.
• Hand lock : Restraining the opponent's hand movement in a certain way so that the opponent cannot launch an attack.

Catching technique is a technique used to catch an opponent's attack, such as a punch or kick, then use the moment to counterattack or take down the opponent. Catching requires precision and speed, because if not done properly, the athlete can actually be hit by the attack.

In pair training, one silat practitioner launches an attack, while the other attempts to catch the attack and then take down or lock his opponent.

Example techniques:

• Leg catch : Catching an opponent's kick and then bringing him down.
• Hand catch : Catching an opponent's punch by turning or twisting the hand.

Throwing technique is a technique where the martial artist tries to knock down the opponent by exploiting the opponent's weakness in balance. In pencak silat, this throwing technique often begins with a catch or lock. Once the opponent is in a trapped position, the martial artist can launch a throw to knock the opponent to the ground.

Paired throwing technique training is very important, because it trains the silat athlete to understand how to maintain balance and counterattack the opponent in an effective manner.

Example techniques:

• Front throw : Pulls the opponent forward and knocks him down quickly.
• Side throw : Directing the opponent's body to the side and using it to knock them down.

In addition to defensive techniques, the series of paired pencak silat techniques also involve attack exercises such as punch and kick combinations. This exercise involves two silat practitioners exchanging attacks and trying to avoid or block the attacks.

This training aims to improve the skills of attacking effectively and precisely. Pesilat also learn to combine punches and kicks so that their attacks become more difficult for opponents to anticipate.

Example techniques:

• Combination punch : Combining punch attacks to the opponent's body and face in succession.
• Combination kicks : Using low kicks and high kicks alternately to disrupt the opponent's balance.

In pencak silat, pair training plays a very important role in improving fighting and self-defense skills. Several series of pair pencak silat techniques include techniques for welcoming attacks, dodging, locking, catching, throwing, and combination punches and kicks.

Through these exercises, the silat athletes will gain a deeper understanding of how to face opponents in real situations and develop the physical and mental skills needed to survive a fight. Pair training also helps the silat athletes to practice speed, accuracy, and strategy in dealing with various forms of attack.

(brl/red)