PTI 5 ATTACKS SUBSYSTEM, History and Basic Training
PTI 5 ATTACKS SUBSYSTEM, History and Basic Training, by Tuhon Bill McGrath.
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In the 1980s it was very common for me to be sent by Tuhon Gaje to teach follow up seminars for him. These were at schools that wanted a second seminar with Tuhon Gaje soon after his first one there, but that date with him was already taken. When I went to these seminars, I would usually ask him “What should I teach?” And he would usually reply “Teach them 5 Attacks.” Well, if you have studied the basic 5 Attacks that you see in the 64 Attacks or Doce’ Methdos sets, then you know that it’s not easy to have modern students at a weekend seminar practice just that basic material for the whole weekend.
In my travels teaching, I had noticed that the majority of stick or sword based martial arts had a core, basic set of attacks that had four diagonal attacks and a thrust as their fifth attack. That thrust varied depending on the weapon used, but everyone seemed to follow that same idea, 4 diagonal attacks and a thrust. In the 5 Attacks Subsystem, I decided to use this common idea as a template and incorporate elements of advanced principles from Segidas, Contradas and Recontras onto these 4 diagonals, but changed the 5 into something like an algebraic equation, ie What is 5?, 5 equals any attack that is not a diagonal.
What is the Matrix?
Long before the movie came out, I was experimenting with some combinations seen in the Solo Contradas, and expanded them into a square pattern of numbered attacks. Here is the basic set, with R meaning Reverse (a reverse cut or strike).
R1-2-3-4
R2-1-4-3
R3-4-1-2
R4-3-2-1
Did you notice that the patterns repeat themselves in several directions? When I wrote this on a board in class (around 1990) one of the students said this type of pattern was known in mathematics as a "matrix."
Here are some videos to help you prepare for upcoming 5 Attacks Subsystem seminars and classes.
Video 1. 5 ATTACKS WARM UP. Angles 1 & 2.
Video 2. 5 ATTACKS WARM UP. Angles 3 & 4.
Video 3. 5 ATTACKS WARM UP. Form.
VIDEO 4. 5 ATTACKS: Sample Applications.
Video 5: Pekiti Tirsia 5 Attacks Subsystem. Mini Lesson: sample.
A sample from the 5 Attacks Subsystem Mini Lesson: Forward and Reverse Strikes, taught by Tuhon Bill McGrath. $12.00 for this 23 minute lesson, (or just $6 when you use the sale code. See note below) which covers detailed instruction in the forward and reverse strikes of the 5 Attacks Subsystem, as well as an easy footwork pattern for solo practice.
Video 6. MATRIX FOOTWORK DRIILS FROM PEKITI TIRSIA INTERNATIONAL
A sample from the Matrix Footwork Drills Mini Lesson from the 5 Attacks Subsystem, with Tuhon Bill McGrath. Normally $12.00 for this 43 minute MP4 video, (or just $6 when you use the sale code. See note below) which covers detailed instruction in 12 integrated footwork patterns for single stick practice. (Includes a 6 minute segment on translating the Matrix drills for empty hand use on a heavy bag).
NOTE: The PTI half off sale on Basic/Beginner videos is going until Nov 15th.
Use the code on this page for your discount: https://pekiti.com/collections/beginner-videos
Train Hard, but Train Smart,
Tuhon Bill McGrath
For info on upcoming PTI classes, seminars and camps, visit:
https://pekiti.com/pages/upcoming-seminars