Pencak Silat Syllabus
The basic techniques of stances (sikap), blocks and strikes are
taught as individual components. These basics are referred to
as "jurus". The jurus are practiced as solo exercises.
The fundamental combination of movement and attacking and
defending combinations, are taught and practiced both solo and with
a partner. These fundamental combinations are referred to as
"dasar"; there are 36 of these dasar in the system.
When practice is done solo, the emphasis is upon the technique
being performed with correct execution and posture. Speed and
power can also be practiced more safely in solo exercises than can
be done with a partner. Partner practice focuses on the
control of timing and distance. With experience it is
possible to train with a partner using speed and power provided
that there is also the well-developed skills of being able to
control timing and distance.
An integral part of silat is learning to move. This is
referring to the ability to move progressively from posture to
posture and understand the strategic and tactical maneuvering
involved to set up the desired result. The maneuvering has a
number of objectives. It can have a psychological effect;
that is, to mentally dominate your opponent by exhibiting such
confidence and control of movements that it becomes intimidating
for your opponent long before you have closed to within a range to
be able to strike. Each change of position sets up
different opportunities and different threats. Each position
presents its own set of defensive and attacking
possibilities. The idea is to draw your partner into making a
move that you want them to do creating a tactical
advantage. The moves that you elicit may be a strike that you
are ready to counter; equally, the move may be to create an opening
at which you can successfully strike.
Silat is often described as being deceptive. This aspect
was touched upon by Donn Draeger in the following passage referring
to the Balinese style of Bhakti Negara:
"Psychologically speaking, the exponent of this
pentjak-silat form tries to torment his enemy to make him lose
mental poise. This device, plus deliberate deceptions in a
physical sense - appearing to be in a weak cluster or lacking
alertness - is the method of BHAKTI NEGARA. Such a ruse is
called a "weak counterpart position" and is based on deceptive
stances and movements. This "weakness" is always demonstrated
openly and deliberately about two yards from the enemy. It is
all decoy, a lure to bring the enemy into a blind attack with his
mind set on how easy the BHAKTI NEGARA exponent looks. By
such miss judgment of the "weak counterpart position" the attacker
leaves holes in his defense and is subject to prompt and efficient
counterattack. This decoy or ruse is termed tipuan, implying
"imitation substituted" … ". [1]
The elements of the tactical maneuvering and the dasar come
together with the kembangan (flower dance). Dasar are
selected and "knotted" together with tactical maneuvering to form a
kembangan, performed with partner.
The self defence component (bela diri) applies the same basics,
however, in a more direct and pragmatic manner. The ascetics
of practice by way of patterns and prearrange combinations gives
way to the practicality of self defence. The commencing
stances (sikap used in the dasar can be used and modified for use
in self defence. However, the commencing positions for
self-defense are natural stances rather than the fighting stances
used in the dasar. This is more in keeping with contemporary
self defence applications.
Free sparring is taught using strategies and combinations of
techniques that have been learnt and practiced as pre-arranged
combinations; now being used in free sparring exercises.
Self defence against weapons is part of the syllabus as is
training of various weapons against other weapons. The weapons
programme is built upon the foundation of the empty-handed system
as is commonly applied in combat systems.
-----------------------------------------------------------
[1] Draeger, Donn F
"The Weapons and Fighting Arts of Indonesia"; Charles E. Tuttle
Company Japan 1972, p.170