Zulu & Filipino Kali Stick Fighting 

They really do have an amazingly rich culture. I am privileged to be able to work with them.

The strike hurts more with the sagila (Zulu stick) because of the weighted ball at the end. Lots of momentum! The JKD concept is to research as much as possible, and I grew up with a great interest in African culture. It became apparent that African martial arts had not been researched, and were obviously very effective. I especially appreciate how the arts are used to build character as well as being a means for self defense.

"All Warfare is deception." Even in a one-on-one fight, you have to trick your opponent to bypass their defenses.

FMA is a combination of Malayan, Hindu, Chinese, Japanese and even Spanish fighting technics. Maybe adding the Zulu would make it even deadlier. The Zulu technics actually remind me of the Kalinga (Filipino Highlanders) ax and shield fighting.

Thank you for this window into another culture. This is the first time I've heard of African stickfighting, and I definitely liked what I see. Please don't stop whatever you're doing. We are all learning form your pursuit of Martial arts knowledge.

You are welcome. The African martial arts systems are as varied as the peoples of Africa. So many styles, from the roots of Capoeira to Zulu stick fighting (sometimes referred to as induku, which means 'stick') to Hausa boxing to Donga stick fighting, etc. Everybody had a self-defense/battlefield system. So vast.

Yes, true. They do have many set-ups, and the blow can be diverted to the elbow, head, or leg. But the good guys spar for quite awhile without anyone getting hit.

Thank you Mr. Richardson for learning this art and showing the world one of the fighting arts from the continent of Africa.

I briefly studied Eskrima as a kid while taking Kajukenbo. As an African American, never in my life would I have figured the Zulu's (some of the world's oldest known warriors) had a similar form of fighting. Almost makes me wonder which came first... Thanks for this post. It's opened my eyes that much more to how all peoples are related. Blessings.

It has been amazing. Each time I go back, they treat me like family. And, we have such a good time sparring. Laughing the whole time. Just like our JKDU and Battlefield Kali classes!

@melasun07 Your ancestors were stick fighting, spear fighting, and doing empty hand fighting for many, many thousands of years. It is integral in the culture, not just for fighting, but to teach life lessons to the children. An amazing history.

I see the protective equipment as a big benefit for those who want to spar realistically very often. It allows us to survive the mistakes and keep training. The BIG downside is that people often rely on the armor for their defense, absorbing blows in order to give back shots. That is not realistic at all, and is not the art.

I have trained in saber fencing as well and have used the disengage there. I just happened to learn the move first from the Zulus back in the early 90's. Thanks for the comment.

@halfhausaman So true. Africa is rich with martial culture. We have to preserve it before it is lost.

This prinicple, that you are using, as in circumventing all weapon/shield blocks with a weapon, is that you create a tangent to the circumference of the defending object. Against circular shields you would create a tangent to the curve and you will always pass the shield if the opponent does not block further than he first anticipated. A stick is a straight line. If you extend a circle infinitely, for all intents and purposes the curve becomes a straight line. Therefore you can treat any straight line in the same way. For example in swordfighting, the duplerien beats a straight block because it forms a tangent to the defending sword in the second part of the cut. Simple but effective geometry.

You are welcome. The Zulus are really great.

Everybody knows that there are a ton of Asian martial arts traditions, styles, techniques, and so on. A lot of the older European styles are being rediscovered, and they are also sophisticated and, to put it bluntly, cool. After watching several such videos, I wondered if anybody was preserving or rediscovering African or South American styles. I'm glad to see that the answer is yes.

This is an interesting type of martial art. Seems like it involves a lot of brain games and sudden switchups.

Scott is definitely Awesome! He has trained for well over ten years and is very accomplished in several arts.

Yes, that is the idea. Keep it real as possible while maintaining safety. Those who want a more realistic feel can use less protection and spar with greater risk of injury. That teaches even more lessons, especially about emotional control, but isn't for everyone. Thanks.

@bladesociety Same here. Heard that Zulus are fearsome warriors, but never actually seen their fighting method. This is very educational, and give me new ideas of how I can improve my stickfighting techniques. Thanks a lot Sifu Richardson!

Very cool video Burton. What an experience it must have been to train with the Zulu's. And even more impressive to have adapted their techniques to Battlefield Kali. Thanks for your constant search for improvement.

@littlbigd Very true! I was certainly surprised on my first visit to train with the Zulus. They are so skillful!

This is a wonderful contribution to all fellow martial arts. It demonstrates humility to even consider how other people do things. Much respect to Burton Richardson. I just found this video searching for FMA.

Holy cow. Scott Ishihara! Found this just surfing youtube. Awesome.

@Tuckie825 You are welcome. I am glad it helped.

The defending stick represents a spear, part of traditional zulu arms, most probably an assegai.

The shield is very similar to a buckler!

Bruce Lee used PIA in many ways, including changing levels with kicks. We often use the PIA to start a Thai kick, and as the opponent lifts his leg up to shield, we redirect the kick to the groin which is wide open. Works GREAT, especially on trained opponents. Give it a try.

@baya72 It is my pleasure- I am very grateful that my kind instructors were willing to share their amazing art with me.

Very Helpful, and so well explained! This kind of exploration is wat puts JKD above the rest!!! Thank!!! : ) 5 stars of David*****!

Good Stuff Sifu/Guro Burton. We've met on several occasions. I'm also a student of Sifu Earl White, who as you know, is an avid researcher on African martial arts. He always speaks highly of you.

Yes, that is the problem with having to wear helmets. Since we don't want to incur serious head trauma, we need to respect the stick and treat sparring as though we were fighting with no protection at all. If you get hit hard in the head, acknowledge it and back off instead of shooting or just trading. Grappling did occur in the stick fighting matches of old, but I'll bet that only the skillful stick fighters made it to the clinch.

Yes, I was told specifically not to use it as we sparred. I was quite surprised at the end of my first week of sparring out there when one of the guys held up the defending stick, kicked at the bottom, and a cover came off that had concealed a spike! A little back-up, just in case. :)

@bsumiko Thanks for your kindness. With the stick, the Zulus only hit, as the end is rounded. But they do use the punyo, and they also stab with the defending stick. (There is a sharp point hidden by a sheath that can be kicked off!). I saw one fight where the guys tied up, but not much mechanical disarming due to holding the shield and defending stick. They are very skillful!

The wonderful thing is that Burton Richardson shares his knowledge with everyone for free on youtube. Whether you agree with his techniques or interpretation is irrelaent. We each study with as many sources as possible these days verses hundreds of years ago when warriors were trained only in their regional arts. Before you think Im a groupie, with no disrespect to Mr. Richardson, I personally chose different styles and techniques to my own liking, but applaud Mr. Richardson for his dedication

This is incredible Guru Burton! It makes me miss Kali! Thanks!

Yes, I believe that Doce Pares uses this more than any other FMA that I have trained in. Thanks for posting!

Thank you. I am just amazed that more people have not studied these amazing and varied arts. So much to learn from Africa.

Yes. There are methods in the FMA that are similar to this strike. Because of the shield, the Zulus have developed it to a very high level.

Hi Guro Burton - very cool video, especially your showing how you spent time with the Zulu to learn their ways. The methods you describe are what Doce Pares SGM Cacoy Cañete refers to as curving strikes, though his approach is to use these strikes in the korto (short/close) range rather than the medyo range you show in your Battlefield Kali clip at the end. In fact, he refers to his personal methodology as "korto kurbada" (close curving) and is worth a look - it's the core of the Eskrima curriculum for our club. I've often referred to what you focused on most in this video as "forehanded backhands" or "backhanded forehands." They're terrific in that they're so deceptive. Something you *might* appreciate: Having previously trained in Korean arts before finding the arts of my own heritage, the FMA, one of the P.I.A. kicking methods I would use was what I called a "rear spinning roundhouse." By doing a few spinning back kicks, your opponent is conditioned to believe he can most safely defend by stepping and blocking inside the kick (toward the calf side of the leg as opposed to the shin). I would then rotate just a hair more, chamber my leg through the rotation and finish with the snap of a roundhouse to the side of the face or body my opponent previously thought was farthest away from the point of impact of the kick, thus creating the effect of feigning the typical FMA angle 2 to really deliver an angle 1 strike. A "backhanded forehand" kick. -=] Respectfully (and appreciatively), Marc Enriquez Miami, FL

In the Filipines that move is part of abanico. Think the Dog Bros integrated the move long ago (although their parent style was sans abanico).

You are welcome.

Very Kool! I can't wait to try these techniques out! Chris A

Most interesting stick video ever!

Great question- I have seen this sort of tactic in many different styles of FMA and other weaponry arts. I believe that those who spar end up in a position where the partner is good enough to block their strikes. They adapt and figure out ways around the defense. Same in empty hand fighting.

@christopheclugston The half-abanico does not work too well when using headgear, which is why we didn't use it much in Dog Brothers. Without protection it can cut.

Major, full power blows with heavy rattan. I always advocate sparring as if there was no protection at all so that fighters don't rely on the helmets. (See my recent video about training with a live blade.) If you can, try going to a Dog Brother gathering and get some rounds in at that level of intensity. It is a very good training method, although dangerous.

You are welcome. I am very thankful for all the information that my instructors have given to me!

Thank you. I have such a great example in Guro Dan Inosanto. He instilled in me that there is always much, much more to learn. Best to go out and find those gems.

Thank you for your comment- I agree 100%. Maybe an "amateur" division with more body armor or padded sticks, but feeling the wrath of rattan is an important part of understanding the art.

Actually, dude, in the old days, a larga mano eskrimador who knew how to keep his distance wouldn't be so easily disarmed and I imagine that some of these Zulu warriors are just as skilled as they were and just as difficult to disarm.

Good question- It is the same motion, just getting the person to block outwards towards your left then dropping the stick over the top.

Yes, almost always inganyo (feinting).

@arnoldarceo You are most welcome. Keep putting that move to work!

Very nice, very informative. I've been trying to find some decent stick fighting examples, but all I've seen either focus on relatively short sticks (like Kali), or a crook cane, or use it for grappling; fine, in and of itself, but I find strikes to be more reactive and useful in a defensive situation. As a Kali instructor, how well would you say Kali techniques would translate to a longer stick (say 36")?

Rarely. Shaka Zulu introduced the iKwa (stabbing spear) for close range fighting. They also used axes!

Yes, I first studied with Tatang Ilustrisimo (also with Master Tony and Master Topher) in 1994.

@Kevpamluvr Glad you found it of interest.

That's great Rich. I have heard about the knife fighting in Capetown, but only saw a bit from a guy in Joberg who was from there. I would love to see your research. Thanks for posting.

there is so much more to be learnt from african combat systems.. especially in west africa.. there is a striking art very similar to muay thai and knife fighting and grappling arts

I think the stick fighting techniques can also be used for sword fighting.

@SteveB357 The Zulu stick has a ball on the end, so thrusting is not so effective. The Zulus thrust with the spear extremely well. We thrust often with the Kali stick.

Guro Richardson..you are a very good instructor..you are concise and to the point. .very clear.

@noloferratus Actually, and unfortunately, most Kali instructors have very little sparring experience. That is why sparring with rattan with very little protection is so helpful. I am one of the original Dog Brothers, and we found that we could take major blows without being stopped. We also found that certain targets were extremely effective. While very dangerous, going with very little armor is the best test.

@SteveB357 The more traditional forms of Kali use curving attacks. However, the more Spanish influenced forms involve a ton of thrusts. There are big differences between Kali and fencing that allow the curving styles to be equally effective.

EXCELENTE SIFU, GRACIAS por estos videos. de Argentina.

@707teamindependent You're right; I have only been training eskrima for a mere 32 years. I would humbly suggest that you try sparring with the Zulus yourself before making conclusions.

Thanks for the comment. So much out there. We do need to preserve these arts as they tend to disappear as technology becomes more prevalent.

Yes, this type of striking is use a great deal in the Caoy Doce Pares Eskrima System (Kurbada/Curbada) - curving strikes. The only slight difference is that we apply it at close range.

Just for interest sake. The Short Spear is call the iKwa because it is the sound it makes going in and out of a human body. The common name is a assegai. The stick you holding in your right hand is called a Knopkierrie or in English a Knobcane. Cool video

It is a great way to learn! Notice also that the guys were kind enough to pull the shot. :)

@arnoldarceo Thank you for your comment. This is for someone who is evading or blocking. If they are attacking, then there are other tactics to use. It is difficult in a real situation to just move and hit all the time. That is ideal, but in real fighting it is more rare.

Bruce Lee knew what he was talking about! His 5 Ways Of Attack are valid across the spectrum of martial arts.

Straight up I need to see more stuff like this....I get so tired of hearing about HARDCORE HARDSHIPS of Africa, I need to hear of the cultural arts.

awesome demo of two really effective arts!

Yes- those clubs have been working well for many millennia!

great! i saw ur movie with ronrick and its a good movie.. i actually gave my cousin a copy of it..not pirated huh! hehehe!! keep it up sir!

@mr007tycoon Some do. I certainly have, but we don't spar with them because of the obvious dangers with the heft. I do have people spar with both hands on the stick occasionally. Thanks for the comment.

Isn't it? Thanks for posting.

@Churchx77 In Dog Brother stick fighting we go 100% with heavy rattan sticks. These blocks work very well.

thank you for posting this video, it is indeed very informative. I strongly consider the technique you have shown here. However, the defense fighters use here in the Philippines is very different. Most of the time it is better not block the attack instead make a small movement so your opponent would miss and at the same time launch a counter-attack. In this case, it would be easier to do the counter since the attacks are somehow telegraphed, the movements are too big. it takes longer to land.

awesome thanks for sharing

@zane230 Actually, it is the Zulu stickfighting from South Africa, the QuaZulu Natal region. You may be thinking of the "Sulu" region of the Philippines.

4:02 & 4:32 That is some awesome footage. It makes a little known martial art seam a lot more accessible.

@bladesociety Thank you, but let me assure you that it really is my pleasure!

Thanks. I'm glad you like the movie.

You can use your golf club instead of the Zulu stick! Zulu stick fighting is a great method, and is sparring based. Get some people together, watch as many videos as you can, then play with it. It is quite invigorating and useful.

I knew you did Zulu stick fighting, and I always wondered what it was about. Thanks for sharing that concept with us. You can use that in a several things. Bruce Lee used that type of thought with his Savate kicks didn't he? Looks like a roundhouse but then archs up or down hitting a different target, right? I find those incredibly effective. Thanks again.

You are welcome- yes, it is very interesting! And very functional as well, as it is still tested to this day.

Correct- those who spend enough time sparring/fighting will find ways to get around good defense.

Yes, nothing like trying to stay quick thinking and calm through the fog of excruciating and imobilising pain. If anyone can incorporate that 'real fight' aspect into weapons sparring, while still keeping it safe--that would be great.

Yes, this is a comparison of Zulu stick fighting with Filipino Kali stickfighting.

Damn, those sticks look like they can cause serious damage. Did the Zulus ever use them in battle?

an African Martial Art is good too... Perhaps all martial arts is good...

@macchxero You are most welcome.

@noloferratus Most Kali teachers do not spar. The great thing about SCA is that they do try it out. That is the most important aspect of training.

@707teamindependent I can tell you that it isn't that easy. Besides their incredible skill, the Zulus hold the stick in the rear hand, making it much more difficult to disarm.

@BurtonRichardson you are right about it being ideal, but so far we are training to do that and in competitions its working just fine, we just have to move fast enough and not get too tired. by the way the technique in this video works great, again thanks for posting it

Hey man-thanks for your comment, first of all. I'm curious, though-do you know the names of these West African systems? I'm very curious. You NEVER, EVER hear about Africa having martial arts systems, so I'm definitely curious as to what they do have.