View Full Version : Defensor Method of FMA?
Hey Guys,
A friend of mine just asked me what I know about something called the Defensor Method of Kali/Escrima. My answer was "who?" and "What?" I know what Kali and Escrima are. I have no clue who Defensor is or what the Defensor method is. Any help? I know that FMA in general are not held in high regard. Thanks in advance.
I checked on the web and the info was minimal at best. Hence the reason that I am asking you guys.
Thanks
Southpaw
10/28/2005 3:10pm,
I know that FMA in general are not held in high regard.
Welcome to Bullshido noobie.
I'm sorry I can't help you with your question, and I don't mean to sidetrack the thread, but the above statement struck me as odd.
I'm just wondering why you got that impression?
I personally think that both Filipino MA's and Indonesian MA's are bad ass...especially for weapons.
I've read many things about the FMA not being legit due to lack of "real" instruction. Many posers and not many real people teaching. Maybe I fell into a trap of reading what other people have to say. Yes, I am a noobie on here. I admit that. I am not trying to cause troble. Just trying to get info for a friend. Like I said, I know nothing about FMA and I had never heard of Defensor or is method.
Southpaw
10/28/2005 3:31pm,
No trouble at all.
Just curious.
Thanks.
Yrkoon9
10/28/2005 3:32pm,
Could you identify a few of these posers?
Or is this more a case of your beliefs > thier beliefs, and since you do not agree you identify them as posers?
Just on different sites. MMA.TV and Martial Planet. I like this site because most people are straight shooters. Or so it seems. I have posted 1 identical question on martial planet. I am still just looking for info on Defensor and his method for a friend. I am open to any and all styles. Kali or otherwise. I have done a minimal amount of stick work and found it enjoyable. To be honest this is not about me and if I think FMA is real or not. I hope that it is. Just want some info on this instructor and his style.
I'm half philippino, own several pairs of Ironwood arnis sticks and even have a balisong that I smuggled into the country. I can't speak a word of Tagalog and my escrima instruction was basic at best.
<--- poser?
Oh yeah, I've never heard of Defensor either. Has anyone?
Honey Badger
10/28/2005 3:49pm,
He certainly invokes the names of the luminaries. I followed this link: http://www.defensormethod.com/requiremts.htm
Looking at his requirements, this seems like a reasonable progression of skills for FMA and the other included arts (Muay Thai, boxing, silat).
There is a heavy element of McDojo in the Level III elements where the proper amount to charge students, the required purchases, and the commission to Guro Defensor is spelled out.
Defensor isn't some fancy word for defense, it is the name of the system's head instructor, Nate Defensor.
http://www.kali-eskrima.com/defensor/interview.html
http://www.defensormethod.com/events.htm
http://www.martialartsresource.com/anonftp/pub/eskrima/digests/fmafaq.htm (scroll down to the styles description)
I've never personally met a Defensor stylist, so can't really comment on the system.
The Filipino arts suffer from bullshido just as do many other styles, but there are many good instructors as well. Unfortunately, due to the clannish nature of Filipino society, lots of the badass old timers don't teach openly, but may have some back yard students. Some of those who actively market their systems are not at the pinnacle of martial prowess.
Criticisms of FMA:
Since some systems focus on bladed combat, but few people actually get in swordfights these days, the effectiveness of some systems may have diminished, unless the instructor has a good system of live training drills. Some are outright bullshido, with instructors not really understanding how blade fighting works, and teaching stuff that would get you killed in a heartbeat. But it is difficult to call bullshido on a sword fighter without challenging them to some form of deathmatch, as used to be common in the PI.
Besides this, some instructors get WAY to pattern-drill happy. They think doing pattern drills with a partner will teach you how to fight. This is not true. Pattern drills only teach you basic coordination and timing. If not done properly, they can have a negative impact on your power and the aggressive intent of your strikes.
With that being said, there are many good Filipino systems and instructors representing them. For weapons fighting, the FMA are some of the best for teaching you how to defend yourself. Many are also very good for empty hand, often specializing in dirty boxing with elbow work.
Many do empty hand and weapons sparring on a consistent basis. Groups that do this, generally have very tough fighters who can handle themselves quite well.
DPro27
10/28/2005 11:33pm,
Okay, so I did quite a bit more reading about the Filipino Martial Arts. Very interesting stuff. Unfortunately the are not many schools and/or teachers in Illinois and there is really only one that is anywhere near me. That would be Nate Defensor and the Defensor Systems of Kali-Eskrima. So, I sent Guro Defensor an e-mail. Unfortunately for my friend (original reason I enquired) and now me too (after reading about the FMA's) that he only has (1) 2 hour class a week at a well known Shaolin Kung Fu School and then he does privates. He stated to me in his e-mail that he only does this little bit because he is concentrating on his computer consulting business. Figures, just my luck. Is it worth it to take 1 class a week? The curriculum looks pretty intensive and I assume it would be difficult to become proficient with only 1 class per week.
I've read many things about the FMA not being legit due to lack of "real" instruction. Many posers and not many real people teaching. Maybe I fell into a trap of reading what other people have to say. Yes, I am a noobie on here. I admit that. I am not trying to cause troble. Just trying to get info for a friend. Like I said, I know nothing about FMA and I had never heard of Defensor or is method.
Just trying to get info for a friend . you brochures on sifilis or gonorea for a friend or get him some of your dad condoms . not info on FMA if you signed on to bullshido he can sign on. be onest from the get go
bad credit
10/29/2005 8:22am,
Huh, didja know Defensor was a Transformer? http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fs earch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Ddefensor%26fr%3DFP-tab-img-t%26toggle%3D1%26cop%3D%26ei%3DUTF-8&h=366&w=300&imgcurl=www.cliffbee.com%2Freviews%2Fimages%2Fdefe nsor.jpg&imgurl=www.cliffbee.com%2Freviews%2Fimages%2Fdefen sor.jpg&size=42.1kB&name=defensor.jpg&rcurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cliffbee.com%2Freviews%2Fde fensor.htm&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cliffbee.com%2Freviews%2Fdef ensor.htm&p=defensor&type=jpeg&no=3&tt=9,064&ei=UTF-8
Also, a minor Marvel comics character; http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fs earch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Ddefensor%26fr%3DFP-tab-img-t%26toggle%3D1%26cop%3D%26ei%3DUTF-8&h=569&w=296&imgcurl=www.marvunapp.com%2FAppendix%2Fdefensor2.j pg&imgurl=www.marvunapp.com%2FAppendix%2Fdefensor2.jp g&size=37.6kB&name=defensor2.jpg&rcurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marvunapp.com%2FAppendix%2F defensor.htm&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marvunapp.com%2FAppendix%2Fd efensor.htm&p=defensor&type=jpeg&no=19&tt=9,064&ei=UTF-8
Just trying to get info for a friend . you brochures on sifilis or gonorea for a friend or get him some of your dad condoms . not info on FMA if you signed on to bullshido he can sign on. be onest from the get go
Do you really think I care what you think? Tell you what. When you learn how to make sense when you write, then I might actually give a crap about what you have to say mush mouth. Until then cram it up your cramhole.
But, I will respond to your post. Try to keep up, let me know if I am going to fast for you, and I will try to use small words. Unlike you have like to have answers to things I do not know about. A friend brought up this style that was 100% foreign to me. It does not say in any of my posts that my friend asked me to get info for him. It simply said he asked me about the style. Now, if a friend came to me and told me that he had colon cancer (god forbid) I would have questions, and I would try to find info about it first (Which I did in this case) and if the info available was not good enough on the web (not likely in the case of medicine) (but certainly could be the case of a martial art which it was this time) I would then ask people who either work on this type of thing or discuss this on a daily basis. Can you understand that or are you dimwitted? Next time mind your own business.
Just to give some personal input, I've heard of Defensor and have met/trained with/fought one of his current students. He (the student) is a Polish emigree and in addition to being a hell of a martial artist, is a really decent guy. He came to one of the Chicago Throwdowns where he rolled with some of the participants and did very well. In addition, he came up to Madison, WI (when I lived there) and we got in some training time the 1st day and fought DB style (minimal protection, real contact) the 2nd, when he convinced me that the Defensor school is capable of turning out thoroughly competent fighters. I should mention he convinced me by hitting me with a couple of shots that rocked me badly. He'll be fighting at this Fall Dogbrother Gathering.
So, to sum up, the Defensor is a good place to study and I'd highly recommend it if you live in the Chicagoland area.
Poidog,
Thank you, that is what I was looking for. I appreciate the help.
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