The ground can be both an ally and a perilous battleground. Silat Buka Lingkaran (SBL) recognises the significance of ground combat, imparting practitioners with the skills to break the fear of falling to the ground whilst being able to effectively fall safely, move from posture to posture whilst striking, kicking, locking, pinning, and immobilising your opponent confidently from the ground.
However, SBL's ultimate objective is not to linger in ground engagements, but to rise swiftly and strategically. In this article, we explore the dynamic world of ground combat in SBL, understanding its crucial role and the urgency to 'get back on your feet' in the face of multiple attackers and other threats.
The Ground: A Strategic Arena:
In the real world, many fights do find their way to the ground. Understanding ground combat is essential, as it arms practitioners with the tools to defend themselves effectively in close-quarters scenarios. SBL's comprehensive approach prepares practitioners to defend and deliver ground strikes, pins, locks, and breaks.
Anything you do standing (striking, pins, takedowns, etc)up can be translated on the ground and vice versa.
Getting back up onto your feet (upright/standing position)
While SBL equips practitioners with ground combat skills, the emphasis remains on falling safely and getting back onto your feet swiftly. This urgency arises from the awareness of multiple attackers and potential weapon threats. Remaining on the ground exposes one to danger, where attackers can unleash a barrage of strikes or weapons may come into play.
Strategies for Getting back onto your feet swiftly:
- Mindful Groundwork: SBL practitioners understand that ground engagements are transitional moments. They employ techniques that allow for quick movement, strikes, and counters while maintaining situational awareness.
- Strategic Timing: Timing is critical when rising from the ground. The objective is seizing moments of vulnerability in attackers to create an opening for getting back on your feet.
- Utilizing Distraction: Techniques that create brief distractions or disorientation among attackers provide a window for a swift rise.
Facing Multiple Attackers:
The threat of multiple attackers intensifies the need to get back onto one's feet swiftly. Staying grounded can be a death sentence when outnumbered. Practitioners learn to assess their surroundings, time their rise, and train to manage the threat posed by multiple assailants.
Weapons and Ground Combat:
The potential presence of weapons amplifies the urgency to rise. Ground combat places one in a vulnerable position where weapons, whether held by attackers or nearby objects, become even more dangerous. 'Getting back on your feet' becomes a life-preserving strategy in such scenarios.
Incorporating Multiple Skills:
SBL's comprehensive approach to ground combat and swiftly getting back onto your feet is rooted in the integration of various skills. Techniques are fluidly combined, allowing practitioners to execute strikes, pins, locks, and breaks while transitioning to a standing position.
In Conclusion: Rising Above the Challenge:
Silat Buka Lingkaran (SBL) emphasis on ground combat and 'getting back on your feet' encapsulates its practicality and strategic depth. While practitioners gain proficiency in ground techniques, they also understand the urgency to get back on your feet swiftly due to the threats posed by multiple attackers and potential weapon use. This dynamic approach prepares practitioners to navigate various scenarios with confidence, maximising their chances of survival and effective defense.
