D. DELIVERY OF BLOWS AND STRIKES

Balintawak style frowns on chambering or berada in delivering strikes. We advocate economy of motion with direct strikes. There is a split second loss in the pull back or chambering move. After a strike, the stick must be quickly withdrawn to avoid control by the opponent. In addition, as earlier said, it is a well-accepted scientific fact that the nearest distance between two points is a straight line. Thus the need to minimize circuitous stick twirling. Power is derived from the legs, the hip, the shoulder and then to the arm, hand and stick. Hip twist and weight shift powers the strike. Based on that principle, Balintawak avoids fancy moves made popular by other styles, more particularly, the amara or fancy stick twirling. It is an intimidation dance without any practical effective purpose. Besides, countering it is easy and simple.

There were basic strike targets or angles for training and actual strike targets for combat. A strike targets in practice are different from those in combat.

EYES: Eyes should be focused on opponents eyes or his chest area with peripheral of offensive moves from any angle.

1. STRIKE NUMBER 1
   Right foot forward with weight slightly on the right foot (front foot), assuming the striker is right handed, with both knees slightly bent as in a boxing stance. Deliver blow to the left side of opponent’s head. Remember to shift your weight to the left side as you complete the strike. Regain balance quickly. Derive torque from the legs to the uncoiling of the upper torso through hip, shoulder, arm and wrists in explosive strike. Remember the bladed machete or bolo concept with the blade in line with the second digit of your fingers. The grip starts with a palm-up grip with the stick in a vertical position. End the strike with the palm-down. Clip close to the left side of your body (assuming you are right handed). The stick is at 90-degree angle with your arm and remains at the same angle.  In other words, the wrist does not bend or go limp.

2. STRIKE NUMBER 2
   Side step to your left with most of your weight on him left. Grip your stick with your palm down. Start your slashing strike with the stick starting at about your left shoulder ending at your opponent’s right ear. Simultaneously shift your weight to your right foot with the uncoiling of your upper torso for full force delivery. Regain balance quickly. The point of impact would again be as the blade of a machete land in a slashing strike. The grip ends with palm up and finally resting in ready position right of center.

3. STRIKE NUMBER 3
   This is a strike to your opponent’s right rib cage or to his elbow, if his arms are clipped, using the same principles described above in strike number 2.
   

4. STRIKE NUMBER 4
   Resume position as in strike number 1 by pivoting obliquely right. Deliver the blow to opponent’s left floating ribs or to his left elbow if arms are clipped.  Follow the same principle of power delivery, weight shift and balance.
   

5. STRIKE NUMBER 5
   (Thrust to the abdomen). Step forward with your left foot.  With your palm down and with the stick at 90-degree angle with your arm, thrust the stick to opponent’s solar plexus (advanced variations to breastbone, throat and groin.  The wrist remains firm at 90-degree angle, NO LIMP WRIST, PLEASE.  It is weak and looks terribly unmanly and even girly. Do not bend your thumb forward. The thrust is done with a lunging movement.  Again, obtaining power from the leg thrust and torque from hip and shoulder explosive twist for optimum power.
   

6. STRIKE NUMBER 6
   Withdraw left foot; withdraw left shoulder (takilid) in sideways stance. With palm up at 90 degree angle, thrust the stick below opponent’s right nipple. For beginners, remember earlier caution of aiming outside the body for safety. Accidents do occur when the eyes are accidentally poked. Again, this is done in a lunging manner with proper hip and shoulder movement.
   

7. STRIKE NUMBER 7
   Step left foot forward.  With oblique sideways stance, palm down, thrust stick below opponents' left nipple.  (For drills and workout, thrust outside body as in strike number 6, to avoid accident injury). Do this in the same lunging manner as in strike number 6, with the same hip and shoulder torque.
   

8. STRIKE NUMBER 8
   Withdraw left foot and bend knees. Do not bend at the hips as this will get your hair and head within opponent’s reach. With palm up, deliver a slashing strike to opponents left knee. Do not bend forward or you could be hit with a punch or your hair could be grabbed.
   

9. STRIKE NUMBER 9
   Pivot and sidestep left. With both knees bent, deliver a slashing blow to opponent’s right knee. Again, keep your hair and head away from opponent’s reach. Also, remember to keep your eyes from being poked.
   

10. STRIKE NUMBER 10
     Withdraw you left foot. This time in a standing, sideways stance (left shoulder withdrawn), are aimed outside the body area for safety to avoid injury. Palm-up, with your arm at arm at right angle with your stick. The eyes are target only in actual combat.
    

11. STRIKE NUMBER 11
    With left foot forward and palm down, withdraw right shoulder in a sideways stance and deliver thrust to opponent’s left eye. Again, practice safety as in strike number 10.
    

12. STRIKE NUMBER 12
    This is a hammer strike to the opponent’s head.  Power is attained by the downward weight shift coordinated with the usual hip, shoulder, arm and wrist action in a chopping action. Again, the wrist remains firm at 90-degree angle with your stick. Optimum speed and power should be at point of impact. The greatest ripping effect however is at the tip of the stick. (Experiment by making your opponent hold a piece of paper. Hit it first with the middle of the stick, then hit it with the tip of the stick, see which one tears the paper).