There are some general things you should know about CTS before you start your training. The goal of CTS is to produce students and teachers that are well versed in every phase of civilian armed and unarmed combat. CTS has a survival based philosophy it is not intended as a sport. It is our wish to produce top quality martial artist that can hold their own against strikers, ground fighters, multiple opponents, and weapons. Classes are conducted in a controlled and professional manner with safety at the forefront of importance.
Sparring is a very important element in learning how to deal with real world violence as it is one of the best ways to develop timing, strategies and the maintenance of range. Modern safety equipment is used to allow students to develop their skill while also staying healthy and safe. Within CTS there exists a culture of care and safety for every student. It is not acceptable to use sparring as an ego enhancer or work without regard for the safety of others. Sparring should be done with the intent to learn more about yourself and to develop your technique and strategies.
CTS is a living system with a founder that is presently active in the continual development and analysis of combative tactics and from this the system continues to change and evolve in order to stay current with every changing technology and outside influence.
Students will be introduced to progressive categories of training. These categories include empty hands training; including striking, stand-up grappling, and ground fighting; also weapons tactics such as single and double stick, single and double knife, staff, spear, sword, and finally stick and dagger also known as espada y daga. In order to have students progress in an organized manner through these categories of training; there is a definitive ranking structure laid out by belt ranks. Each belt rank consists of three categories or "Blocks" of training. As you progress through the CTS system the “Blocks” begin to stack on top of previous training blocks allowing the student to easily see the connection from one level or block to the others.
From the beginning you will be taken systematically through the basics of stick, knife and empty hand training, learning how the weapon is used for maximum results and how to counter those attacks whether armed or unarmed. You will learn what the best targets both anatomically and tactically are as well as specific methodologies to achieve maximum results. As a beginner you will also learn how to use your natural weapons "empty hands" to engage the bad guy putting him on the ground with decisive strikes, locks and throws so you can then safely disengage and proceed with your life. Most importantly at this level you will begin to learn how to quickly maneuver flanking your opponent and positioning yourself to gain the advantage.
In the intermediate stages of training you will learn the nuances of range its relationship with the weapon and how that applies to your success in survival mode. You will also become familiar with subtle differences in the way a weapon is held or wielded and what you must do as the situation changes from instant to instant. You will learn how to quickly escape from ground submissions and get back to your feet. At this level through drills and sparring you will begin to develop the important skills of countering.
At advanced levels you will start to become proficient at countering, out flanking and out fighting trained fighters. The categories or building blocks from earlier training will be revisited, but at this level the tactics and techniques are developed and fine tuned to produce instant results as you become capable of engaging multiple opponents and weapons. You will now start to see and realize the interconnectedness of the system and begin to understand its sophisticated simplicity. You will begin to develop a light yielding touch that will make it difficult for others to feel your intent or realize your counters until it is too late for them to react.
At the upper end of advanced training the student gets exposure to other weapons such as the sword and spear as well as modified weapons designed specifically for CTS. At this highest level espada y daga is further developed and practiced. Espada y daga training is very sophisticated in that it requires the use of two weapons simultaneously. In espada y daga training one hand holds a round, blunt weapon (stick) while the other employs a flat sharp instrument (knife). This is important because it involves the various issues attributed to the different weapon types such as range and counter offensive methodologies. Some people call espada y daga the calculus of martial arts.
CTS is not basic self-defense that teaches you to react to a situation after it starts, at its core CTS is a tactical fighting system that teaches you to use offense and counter-offense in order to strategize and work three steps ahead of your opponent . CTS is not a sport. The mixed martial arts of sports venues like the UFC have changed the face of martial arts and have enormous value as empty hand methodologies. However, when someone armed with multiple weapons and well versed in their application enters the confrontation the tactics must change.
Although CTS includes the tactics of other disciplines from around the world it holds the Filipino martial arts as its substantial base. The martial arts of the Philippines have always been a mix of fighting disciplines. Most FMA systems contain some degree of the various disciplines such as “Panatukan” a punching and street boxing method with its roots coming from hand held weapons, “Dumog” that specializes in grappling and ground fighting while “Sikaran” uses the leg techniques of kicking and stomping. “Pangamot” demonstrates how to fight against a blunt weapon with only your bare or “empty” hands.
The single stick also referred to “Olisi” or “Baston” is the weapon used most as a CTS training devise. Swinging a stick conditions your arms and body in a way that you can’t duplicate with empty hands or even weight training. Working the stick will give your arms flexibility, strength and speed. These elements or attributes are worth their weight in gold when the going gets tough. From stick training and conditioning your punches will be stronger your locks will be tighter and your counters will become instantaneous. Hidden within the stick technique is knife and sword training that will be revealed only when you are ready.
The overall goal of the Counterpoint Tactical System is to safely bring students to a physical and mental level of ability and understanding to deal with life threatening situations whether it be standing, on the ground with single or multiple opponents, armed or unarmed.
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