Syllabus
The SBL syllabus is composed of 7 phases designed to develop the practitioner in every aspect of the art.
Phase 1 Ground Fighting
Phase 1 - Ground Fighting
The animal styles comprosing of the ground fighting aspects of SBL
Gelek (‘twisting’ or ‘coiling’)
This is the foundational principle of the art taught at the very beginning, key towards unifying all the postures and movements.
Kucing(‘Cat’)
You will develop greater flexibility and agility towards moving more freely and dynamically on the ground. The Kucing is a very explosive way of moving that requires heavy conditioning, especially for the legs. This element of ground fighting teaches you how to strike effectively from the floor using both arms and legs, and in return gives you the stability and density of striking when upright. Kucing also prepares you to know how to counter from the ground, including rolling, recovering and the ability to fall correctly.
Harimau (‘Tiger’)
This is direct and forceful in connection with ground fighting, including jumping techniques in the countering of an opponent, as well as learning how to end a fight as quickly as possible. This aspect develops the strength your body needs to move freely and effectively in bringing opponents to the ground. Here you are taught how to kick, palm-strike from various angles, grab and tear..
Buaya (‘Crocodile’)
This looks to develop your core from the back, fusing the upper and lower part of the body towards moving in one continuous motion. When learning the Buaya everything is done very slowly, stretching out the lower back, gluteus and hamstrings. Techniques and application include how to smother, suffocate and crush an opponent. This principle helps you to slowly and steadily develop sensitivity and body control so that trainers learn to avoid injuring themselves and each other.
Kura-Kura (‘Turtle’)
This is the last resort in ground fighting, where you find yourself lying fully on your back on the floor. This trains you to know how to defend from this vulnerable position, finding any small spaces of opportunity to use to your advantage and to escape. Like Buaya, this allows you to develop your core but with greater focus on your abdominals by holding Kura-Kura postures under tension for longer time periods.Open Ground FightingThis is the space in which you learn how unify all the Ground Animal styles of SBL in one continuous motion, and to defend yourself in all manner of attacks.
Phase 2 Upright Fighting
Phase 2 - Upright Fighting
Langka Lima
(‘5 footwork’) is the core footwork used in SBL – covering entries, side-stepping for evasions, and retreats from multiple attackers.
It can be broken down into:
- Basic blocks and strikes
- Perfecting the Kuda-Kuda (‘Horse Stance’) for greater balance and stability
- Understanding the basic ranges
- Basic use of the knife to develop footwork and reflex
Phase 3 Locks, Chokes & Grabs
Phase 3: Locks Chokes and Grabs
Topics Covered:
- Sensitivity training using a blindfold
- Counter for counter locks, chokes and grabs
- Understanding body mechanics
- Capitalising on an opponent’s reactions
- Strengthening the tendons and sinews through time under tension and breath control
Phase 4 Multiple Attackers
Phase 4 - Multiple Attackers
The training completed so far will be enhanced further with the topics covered in this phase.
- Learning the strategic pattern of the ‘Spiders Web’
- Developing peripheral vision
- Training the breath for endurance
- Awareness of your surrounding
- Training all ranges and levels
Phase 5 Kembangan
Phase 5: Kembangan (Flower Dance)
One of the important phases that will bring your art alive.
- The importance of the Kembangan
- Bringing the eight hand movements into one fluid motion
- Training to calm the mind through intention and projection exercise
- Training to unify all the movements from the phases learnt so far
- Switching from fast to slow Kembangan and learning why this is important
- Using the Kembangan ceremonially towards heightening concentration and awareness in combat.
Phase 6 Weaponry
Phase 6 - Weaponry
By this point you will have developed all the necessary skills to start training in the finer movements of the SBL, using hard (blades) and soft (cloth) weapons.
During this phase you are taught how to wield weapons in order to understand their destructive nature, learn how they move, and thus defend yourself against them.
Training with the weapons helps you to discover what you might be lacking in your martial arts i.e. your timing skills, or if you carry fear within some of your movements and reactions
Phase 7 Full Uniform
Phase 7 - Full Uniform
The final stage of the ar.
You will bring all you skills and experience together in all that you have learnt into your own Kembangan (Flower Dance) with full uniform and the ability to use all soft and hard weapons.