Guro Kevin Blake

Dave Joyce

Haven't had a chance to post anything until now but we were very fortunate to have the opportunity to do some training with Guro Kevin Blake of Sayoc Kali recently while he was on holiday here in Ireland.

Guro Kevin was promoted to a full instructor at last year's Sama Sama and although I have trained under him before this was a chance to train with him in a small group and the finesse in his instruction was immediately apparent.

We started working on Panantukan (Filipino Boxing) and progressed through 2 different levels of application. We then started to work on Transitional Drill 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_3s_-lX5Co&feature=related

Guro Kevin started the drill with the recevier actually been armed with a blade and although I fed the drill with intent the subtlety of his blade cuts was something else. He made sure the quality of the feeding was improved and we then moved on to empty hand application of the drill which emphasises more striking from the receiver. The last portion of training focused on Phase two which is working receiver based training with the addition of focus mitts and headguards.

We finished with a question and answer session with the lads asking in particular about family dynamics and confronting more than one opponent. Some varied and eye opening scenarios and tactics which enhanced our knowledge a great deal.

yomchi

That link there lead me to another Sayoc clip called 12 cuts in 1.5 seconds :eek:

Lee Morrison once said that dealing with an experienced knife guy would be like putting your hands into the turbines of a jumbo jet and trying to stop them turning!

Now I see what he means, great clip :cool:

Sid_Justice

he looks like a wrestler

Dyr

That's Tom Kier in the clip, he was a wrestler. :pac:

Got to train with Kevin in Dublin last week, really nice fella and a very good teacher. Also moves sharp things really fast

Dave Joyce

The person with the 12 cuts in 1.5secs is Tuhon Ray Dionaldo, who's speed is unbelievable! We had the good fortune of having Tuhon Ray here in 2005 and he regularly tours Europe as he has a big FCS group in a number of countries.

he looks like a wrestler

If you mean the guy who looks like Tank Abbott, then that indeed is Tuhon Tom Kier and he is wrestling veteran of over 1000 competitive matches and he's been wrestling since he was 6yrs old. We were blown away with his knife and stick skills until he told us, they weren't that great as he's a wrestler and shooter. He takes part in 1000yd firing competitions

scuttery1

Just a quickie to mirror what both Daithi & Ush said. Guro Kevin is an excellent teacher and a pogues fan to boot .
The class was organised at the last minute we had a small number of attendees and so everyone got a lot of "hands on" training. Guro Kevin broke us up into 2 groups, those that had done some Sayoc Kali & those that hadn't. The more advanced guys went through the transition drills while the rest of us got "introduced" to the 3 of 9 template. The class was worth it for the information on the empty hand tapping from this drill alone.
The evening flew in and it was one of those memorable occasions with great training with great people.

Niall Keane

The person with the 12 cuts in 1.5secs is Tuhon Ray Dionaldo, who's speed is unbelievable!

he probably might get away with a few less by the looks of it? "diced" would probably be the verb? seriously though , I can see that it displayed nice recovery and flow, blade awareness and guard from one target to the next. It this part of the strategy? a standard drill?

Nice clips Dave, what weapons does you guys / Sayoc Kali use? Any longer blades, sticks, staffs etc? Any preferences?

Dave Joyce

It this part of the strategy? a standard drill?

Ahhh, no Niall, Tuhon Ray is kinda out on his own with that speed:)

what weapons does you guys / Sayoc Kali use? Any longer blades, sticks, staffs etc? Any preferences?

A huge array Niall, lot of long blade, stick (see if you can find any of the Sayoc Stick Grappling clips, the most painful thing I've ever endured), whip, knives of all lenghts and my current preference, the Tomahawk.

Dyr

You left out firearms Dave :P

Dave Joyce

You left out firearms Dave

Whoops, it would take me to leave out the most enjoyable thing:)