Demonstrated by Miftah Laewae, trainer KPS Nusantara Ramkamhaeng University (Bangkok, Thailand)
According to competition rules the pesilat confront each other by using various elements of pencak silat self-defense and attack, namely: to parry/dodge, to hit the target and to strike down the opponent. In doing so, they need to apply pencak silat principles prescribing a pesilat to develop competition patterns that begin from the starting position and move forward to the fighting position. In between there needs to be at least three types of step patterns to measure the distance against the opponent and to coordinate attacking/defending moves, before returning to initial standing position, again applying different types of step patters. By repeating these series of movements (jurus) as in a drilling exercise, the pesilat will learn the movements by heart so that they become automatic when fighting and allowing the pesilat lo move smoothly and effectively in the arena.
Continuing the description of competition maneuvers (jurus pertandingari) initiated in the previous edition, here I will examine the second sequel (jurus pertandingan II}.
Defense & Attack Tactics
Standing by position (siap) Standing Position XII (sikap dua belas) This standing position signals that the pesilat is ready to fight. From this position the pesilat enters into action by slowly opening the left palm, coming closer to the opponent and winding down the body, slowly moving to standing position I (figs. 1-3). Standing Position I (sikap satu)This position allows a pesilat to carry out sudden attacks. While standing he/she waits for attacks from the opponent. Gradually the pesilat moves closer to the opponent, stepping forward with the right leg, and at the same time going down with the elbow to protect from an eventual attack from the opponent. Slowly, the hands open up to appear vulnerable to attacks (sikap empat) (figs. 4-5).The pesilat uses trickery to take distance from the opponent while targeting him/her with a swerve of the left leg (fig. 6). If this attack fails, the pesilat makes a half jump with the right leg and at the same time front kick with the left leg (fig. 7). After the right leg lands, it is the right leg that steps forward fast, attacking with double hand strikes (fig. 8). In closure, the striking pesilat steps back two times, turns into a flying eagle standing position (elang melayang. fig. 9) and goes back to the stand-by position (sikap slap. fig. 10) in preparation for the next pattern of movements to be discussed in the next issue.