Atienza Kali
A weapons-based system of Filipino origins, Kali is now practised throughout the United States and Europe. Atienza Kali is a family system taught by Guro Edgar “Butch” Atienza to his sons Tuhons Allain, Carl and Darryl. Its main focus is on multiple opponent combat, both armed and unarmed, in addition to group fighting concepts and strategies.
Some of the central training techniques employed within the Atienza Kali system involve Targeting Chains and Evolutions, whereas the teaching methodologies ensure the effective development of motor skills and muscle memory. Co-ordination training is also vital to this process with footwork, dexterity and accuracy drills practiced consistently in order to develop range awareness and precise timing. This training system ensures that the student will have the ability to fight effectively with a heightened awareness of their surroundings, and to decisively assess weaknesses and inconsistencies in their opponent.
The main weapons that are involved in this system are guns, compound bow, spear, long and short sword, bolo, stick, knife, and trappo, several of which are also used as projectiles. Empty-hand combat is also practised in conjunction with the weapons training.
