Added: 2 years ago
From: BurtonRichardson
Views: 88,550
Sort by time | Sort by thread (beta)

Link to this comment:

Share to:

All Comments (128)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • What about thrusting? In fencing, the point usually beats the edge.

  • @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.

  • Durbs represent!!!

  • Zulu rocks!

  • thank you sooo much for this video it was VERY helpful for me!!!!

  • @Tuckie825

    You are welcome. I am glad it helped.

  • Because Magellan Simple Underestimate the

    Filipino Martial Art

    "KALI" ,"Eskrima" or "Arnis"

    He died in the Battle of Mactan

  • 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.

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

  • @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!

  • @macchxero

    You are most welcome.

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

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

  • In Serrada we call that "Picking".

  • the stance is like western boxing but with sticks and shield. power hand in the rear as opposed to the bai jong jeet kune do stance. fascinating!

  • I can tell that the Zulu Stick Fight is mainly about "tricking" your opponents when attacking.

    I know some basics in Karate and Filipino Stick Fight.

  • that last bit looks like an abanico with an arm extension

  • @jin65  Yes!

  • @jin65 or di cadena, yes?  Or am I missing something?

  • Very interesting.  Thanks for posting your information.

  • @Kevpamluvr Glad you found it of interest.

  • Oh come on... If you really practice FMAs you know if someone hits your hard the blocks you showed at the beginning with either sticks wont stop the blow.

  • @Churchx77 Those blocks worked for me the first time I fought Eric Knauss. Just takes practice.

  • @BurtonRichardson No but I mean in training in controlled strikes its okay, Im talking about someone really sending you one to break bones. You cant bloke like that.

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

  • Wow, amazing video! I like the comparison, I wish they had a Kali school here.

  • 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

  • @donoberloh Thank you. We must all find our own way. Enjoy your training.

  • 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).

  • @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. 

  • AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!

  • if you fight a real ESKRIMADOR, zulus will GET disarmed with the quickness, cuz both arnis/kali arms attacks..zulus got a shield and one stick to hit wit

  • @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 maybe because you're not a real ESKRIMADOR? put Cacoy Canete and the other whos have put their entire life to master the art of ARNIS. who even studied with Bruce Lee.

  • @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. 

  • 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")?

  • @ChishioAme  Good question. Most of the outside techniques translate very well. When you get into the clinch, the length of the stick can become a hindrance. But, the great majority of the art is about hitting while not being hit! A person striking effectively with a long stick is very difficult to close on.

  • Wow, this is not like anything I've ever seen before. It doesn't look like there is any power in the zulu stick fighings hits, but I'm sure it would hurt if they hit me in the head.

  • @forzachelsea It is very deceiving. Since all that weight is concentrated in the end of the stick, it really whips and lands extremely hard.

  • 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.

  • @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.

  • @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

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

  • it looks a bit like chinese swordsplay, but anyway, fantastic! =D

  • 1. Do you have any videos of Zulu vs Filipino style?

    2. Do you teach relieving the opponent of their weapon?

  • @moontan1981 I have a "stick disarm" video and a few on disarming the knife. Search my channel for them. I show the moves in actual sparring.

  • Good stuff. Amazing how simple but effective a simple long stick makes for defense.

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

  • A very interesting and effective trick from Zulu martial art -> surprised ^^

  • would the progressive indirect attack you talk about also be considered as an abanico (filipino for fan strike) attack?

  • @Mykelliah  Good question- the abaniko is usually done as a direct or combination attack. But the motion of the demonstrated blow arcs in a similar way to the abaniko. You could start a jab, then alter the path into an abaniko.

  • @Mykelliah Good question- the abaniko is actually a stick motion, fanning back and forth. You can then use it as a combination, or start in one direction, switch midstream, and use it as a PIA.

  • Interesting action.

    Samurai sword in the street? If you like:

    watch?v=2nE55oKZyRo

  • Great video. Do kali stick fighters ever train with a baseball bat? That may sound crazy, but I just wonder whether it is done to get a feel for fighting with a practical weapon you may encounter in a street fight/self defense situation.

  • @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.

  • It's verry interresting comparaison about different martial art off all word !

  • @Berkanno Merci.

  • @noloferratus  I think you should experience it first before making a judgement from afar. You will learn a great deal.

  • That was excellent demonstration, having those clips inserted made it very real. I can see some good points in terms of using a a regular baton, like the one's used by Military Police in Finland.

  • 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.

  • @curtisb3000 There is a great deal of beauty and culture in Africa. Good point that we need to focus on all the good things as well.

  • It's interesting that all of the techniques your talking about with the zulu stick fighting are being used by members of the society for creative anachronism on a daily basis except the SCA fighters tend to hit a lot harder since their opponents are heavily armored and they discount light blows. The low block can also be done with the haft of something like an Axe and a good pair of metal gauntlets is probably better than using a buckler because it's makes grappling easier.

  • @noloferratus The techniques are pretty much universal. The problem with using a lot of armor is that you get used to ignoring shots that would do damage without protection. But more people should get in and spar like the SCA members do.

  • @BurtonRichardson Yes armored fighters do tend to ignore blows that might do some injury to an unarmored opponent but I'm not sure that's a bad thing. For example I once had to fend off a much larger attacker with an improvised weapon who was trying to kill me for real and found that only my hardest shots were having an effect . I spared  against a Kali teacher recently who had never studied the kind of attacks used by SCA fighters and found his defense needed a lot of improvement.

  • @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.

  • @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.

  • Burton, you are such a humble person and life-long learner. You train with intensity, but at the same time, you keep a light-heartedness, and you are able to laugh and have fun. One question- do the Zulu stick fighters employ stabs, punyos, and stick disarms? Or do they always go back to long and med distance. Thank you in advance.

  • @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!

  • lol it looks like he's using a vuvuzula to fight

  • @BoxerMonkey That would have made me run away!

  • @BurtonRichardson lollll

  • Kool, as hell - I am studying Filipino Kali, this is cool as hell.

  • @curtisb3000 Abanico!!

  • is everyday people allowed to learn off this vid?

  • Easy

    that id just like a wi-tik in eskrima

  • 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.

  • @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.

  • Very Helpful, and so well explained!

    This kind of exploration is wat puts JKD above the rest!!!

    Thank!!! : )

    5 stars of David*****!

  • А мэни нравится класс!!!

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

  • Awesome! Very helpful and well-described.

  • Now i am a south african, and just a side note, alot of times in competition u will use ur defensive stick as an offensive one aswell.

  • 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. :)

  • Fantastic.  :)

  • 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.

  • i dont see many races actually learn from Africans but to be honest i am glad to see it.

    Africa has so many of their own arts and styles one could learn a lot form them.

  • @Darkmessenger1000 its not in africa its in zulu in philippnes

  • @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.

  • @BurtonRichardson yes the "Sulu" region of the Philippines is in the Sulu island chain in the Phillipines it is on of the Islamic sections of the Islands .As opposed to the Zulu from South Africa similar arts different continents ..the tribes all come from Africa that populate the earht thru travel and migration Africa is the home of all humn beings the first came from that continent and so did civliation and all of the arts of civilzed people.

  • @zane230 We don't have veld in the Philippines. Apart from that, we also don't have all too many Africans in our country either. The sultanate Sulu is spelled differently in the latin alphabet.

  • @zane230 what, you mean, jolo, sulu (not Zulu), near Basilan? we wear malong not "bahag"

  • @Darkmessenger1000

    Agreed, I have never seen a African Martial artist that just studied African arts. I would love to, I really need to make that connection. Although I have some Chinese Blood, I feel I need to connect with Africa.

  • @curtisb3000

    Burton is a cultural embassador and great human being. I applaud him. Africans have many warrior societies (get the African Arts volume No. 19, series 1, I believe, entitled Martial Arts Of The Annang, by Jill Salmons-the Annang are an ethnic subgroup of the Igbo, Igboland, Nigeria, West Africa).

  • @curtisb3000

    ...Get a book called Knights Of The Congo, which talks about (briefly) the MAs of the Lunda and Luba speaking peoples of DRC, central Africa, and on the Sofa: Forces Of Manding, of the warriors of Wassaloun (sorry, did it twice to paste everything), leader Samory Toure's kingdom. It was an extension of ancient Mali, but their martial arts, like those of the DRC still exist.

  • great video!!

  • EXCELENTE SIFU, GRACIAS por estos videos.

    de Argentina.

  • De nada. Hasta luego!

  • 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!

  • Thanks. I'm glad you like the movie.

  • VERY COOL!

  • Excellent way to learn indeed. Still, OUCH!

    I've seen that pull on the strike in Pekiti Tirsiia too, or at least a very similar type movement.

  • In euro fencing, especially saber fencing, this technique is called a "disengage". The attacker feints in one angle and evades and land on another angle. This is the bread and butter of fencing. I use this technique along with distance, timing and tempo (80% of fencing) when I do free sparring in Kali. The outcome is devastating. Training in saber fencing should be a must for free sparring Kali practitioners.

  • 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.

  • Burton, you were popped in the head a lot in these clips. OUCH! You take it pretty well though.

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

  • Kali Sticks are actually originated from the Philippines.

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

  • Just seeing this video makes me want to travel to Africa so I can, if nothing else, go a match with a Zulu stickfighter. Even though I know I'll probably lose. lol

  • The art is amazing.

  • Great video. I want to try this. I have to find out more about this art! xD

  • 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.

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

  • that looks pretty interesting, thx for the vid

  • You are welcome. The Zulus are really great.

  • man this looks sweet

  • Hey is there any chance u could have a match against the two styles in a match?

  • Wow great work!! Learnt a lot! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

  • Thanks Dog, Excellent explanation & comparison....

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

    Chris A

  • Great. I think your sparring partners are in for a surprise!

  • would like to study your course. ill send you a message.

  • Compared to the filipino stick, does a flush hit cause a similar amount of pain?

    Also, do you have any article that explains what caused you to engage in this exploration of African systems of MA.

  • 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.

  • Sifu Richardson

    I too went to SA and learned both Zulu and Xhosa stick fighting. I also learned knife fighting from Cape town, as well as Capetown prison fighting tactics.

    I too added several concepts with my Kali.

    Great work Sifu

    Rich (NYC)

  • 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.

  • We've come along way from "..there is no such thing as African Martial Arts." Salute!

  • Yes, but we still have a LONG way to go. I hope that I can help get the word out.

  • Most interesting stick video ever!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • There's no truth to the rumor that we will be adopting their dress as our uniform.

  • Actually, only the students and instructors in Rhode Island will be using the Zulu dress code. ;) Please send photos!

  • PIA in the stickfighting ... good stuff. There's some nice tactics there...

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

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

  • thank you for bringing out this culture to the world ~~

    fanstastic Zulu

  • awesome

  • Awesome vid.

  • Glad you like it.

  • Great video and great instruction!

  • Thanks.

  • 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.

  • 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!

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

  • Pick up your sticks! :)

  • awesome thanks for sharing

  • Glad you like it.

Loading...
Alert icon
0 / 00Unsaved Playlist Return to active list
    1. Your queue is empty. Add videos to your queue using this button:
      or sign in to load a different list.
    Loading...Loading...Saving...
    • Clear all videos from this list
    • Learn more