The development and progressions of Atienza Kali are based on targeting chains and evolutions. They are designed to give the student the proper form and coordination needed in the tactical use of the blade.

The Atienza Kali blade RIG-

The tactics of Atienza Kali are based on experiences from the Atienza family. Many of the tactics are based on multiple blade deployment so a carry system is necessary. Projectile tactics alone requires the use of at least 3 blades so training deployment is important. Every position on the rig represents a possible place to deploy a blade so all possible draws are trained.

The Atienza Kali Targeting Chain-

Every Atienza Kali evolution has a four targeting chains that accompany the evolution. The targeting chains have a few purposes. The first is to teach the student the proper blade targeting based on the human anatomy. Along with the proper targeting the student learns to deploy blades from the Atienza Kali RIG while attacking the proper targets.

Second is to teach the student how to move the blade while executing the proper footwork. Every targeting chain has an hourglass pattern that it follows creating specific HOURGLASS AND BLADE PATTERNS for each targeting chain that develops the students’ combative maneuvering with the blade. The student will then run these hourglass and the blade patterns while deploying blades from multiple draw positions from the rig.

Atienza Kali targeting chains provide a student with training that develops their coordination and form with the blade that is necessary when they start to train the two man evolution.

Targeting chains are trained before the actual two man evolution that they coincide with. There is a right hand, left hand and double sword, long sword targeting chains for every evolution. Along with every targeting chain are the coinciding hourglass and the blade pattern.

Targeting Chain training-

Example: Sword Evolution 1

-Counts 1 – 12 in sequence- draw on count 1 sheath on count 12

-Odd counts

-Even Counts

-Counts in intervals of three- drawing on 1st count, sheathing after last count

Ex: draw on count 1, count 2, count 3 sheath

Draw on count 2, count 3, count 4 sheath etc…

Even counts and odd counts are also used in intervals of three

-Random counts by call of instructor

Hourglass and the blade- Every targeting chain have a specific hourglass pattern that it follows every targeting chain count. This trains the student to be able to move the blade efficiently and tactically while on the move.

-Counts 1-12 in sequence- draw on count 1 sheath after cont 12 on swaying guard.

-Drawing exercise-designated draws and sheathing on specific counts on the hourglass and the blade.

Ex: draw on count 3, sheath at count 7, draw at count 10

The Atienza Kali Evolution-

Once the student has a certain level of coordination from training targeting chains they start the two man evolution. The two man evolution has the student interact with another to start the feel of the blade exchange by learning counter for counter exchanges that eventually end. Each technique that counters the last technique is not the same and the evolution never cycles. The counters and techniques are based off the fighter types that the evolution is based and made up from. The student pair that trains the evolution will take on the designation of feeder 1 and feeder 2.

Atienza Kali Evolution Variations-

Variation 1-Evolution Ladders-

student climbs the evolution learning every individual count

Variation 2-Evolution Isolation feeds-

every count in the evolution is isolated to perfect the proper defense and counter. Student is fed counts from the evolution using the consecutive counter to perfect the defensive maneuver.

-free flow feeds

-double sword feeds

Mass Attack isolations- isolations are then fed in very basic mass attack scenarios to develop dynamic combat movement. Body shielding strategies are introduced.

Variation 3- last kill exercise-

The first of the combative variations, Feeder 1 or feeder 2 is designated to execute evolution in interval counts of three. Feeder 1 feeds count, feeder 2 counters, feeder 1 counters to kill. Atienza Kali practitioners considered this variation to true way to do the evolution.

Ex: Evolution 1

Feeder 1 feeds count 1, feeder 2 feeds counters with count 2, feeder 1 counters with count 3 taking kill.

Feeder 1 feeds count 3, feeder 2 counters with count 4, feeder 1 counters with count 5 taking kill

Designations for feeders also change with variation 3. In this example feeder 1 is called the feeder and feeder 2 in called the receiver.

Introduction to forcing anchors on multiple opponents. Attacking the wall strategies.

Variation 4- force anchor exchange-

The last kill exercise is modified to introduce Atienza Kali hand engagement range and centerline engagement range. Feeder follows last kill exchange but the first feed is in the opponents the weapon hand range. Receiver still counter attacks designated targets of the evolution. Feeder takes kill to the evolution designated targets.

Evolution Versions

Single sword version

Two sword version- Two sword tactics defeats single sword tactics. Feeder 1 or Feeder 2 uses two swords, this student is designated the feeder. The student with the single sword is killed throughout the entire evolution, designation is receiver.

Long sword version- Sword overall length is from 36” to 42”. Long sword tactics defeat single sword tactics.

Student with long sword- feeder

Student with single sword –receiver

Projectiles

Projectiles are an extremely important tactic in Atienza Kali. It is introduced in the beginning of training before the force anchor strategy is taught. Tactically projectiles can be executed before an attack, during and attack and after an attack. Projectiles are any blade that can be deployed from the different Atienza Kali rig setup, from knives, sword, arrow and firearms.

The Atienza Kali Blade Simulator-

The Atienza Kali Blade Simulator is a live interactive venue where Atienza Kali students can test and train all entries based from the techniques and strategies learned from the targeting chains and evolution training.

Rules:

-all exchanges go until one good entry is achieved

-all entries must be clean, double kills will not count

-strikes must be effective, glancing strikes will not count

-leg attacks are only good if executed cleanly, counter strikes must be defending against within one step

-attacks that will end exchange

-thrusts and hacks into lung and heart area of body, head, neck and spine

-attacks to limbs that will completely incapacitate limb

Blade simulator levels-

Level 1- padded stick

Level 2- trainer with armor

Level 3- trainer no armor