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Bantay Kamay - The Alive Hand

The Bantay Kamay called also Guardian Hand or Alive Hand, is the secondary weapon in Filipino Kali, the auxiliary weapon used in conjunction with the primary weapon for checking, blocking, monitoring, trapping, locking, disarming, striking, cutting, etc. Examples include the empty hand when using a single stick or the dagger when fighting with sword and dagger. In a Solo Baston (single stick) situation, it is the empty hand, the dagger hand in Espada Y Daga and the auxiliary - secondary stick in Doble Baston (double sticks).

The alive hand is the opposite hand that does not contain the main weapon. If you are right handed, it is your left hand. It is referred to as being alive because it is used actively in combat for checking, blocking, striking, and as support to the disarms and locks. In many of the techniques, the alive hand is the major contributor to the success of the technique.

Guro Dan Inosanto once said, "If a good Escrimador were asked to point out the singlemost important aspect that makes his fighting work, chances are he would refer to the use of the alive hand.".

In his classic book “The Filipino Martial Arts”, Dan Inosanto relates how Eskrima’s “alive hand” worked against the Spanish swordplay, it reads, “During the Spanish reign in the Philippines and in combat situations where the ancient Filipinos fought against the Spanish in swordplay, the “alive hand” played an important part in confusing the Spanish swordplay.”.

When an Eskrimador wields long and short weapons as in the case of Espada Y Daga, which was borrowed from Western Fencing, the “alive hand” is the hand that holds the shorter weapon. In the West, historically, the dagger was originally used mainly for parrying. Pertaining to the rapier fencing techniques of the 16th century Aldo Nadi in his book “Nadi on Fencing”, wrote, “Most parries were made with the dagger, or by moving the body out of the line of attack.”.

Most often, the alive hand is the one that holds the opponent's weapon hand or arm in place after the defensive motion has stopped or diverted the blow and is, therefore, a close-quarter tool. It is the transition between the fighter's defensive motion and his counterstrike. Without the alive hand holding the opponent's hand in place, his weapon might easily return again before the fighter has time to make his counterstrike. During the Spanish reign in the Philippines, and in combat situations where the ancient Filipinos fought against the Spanish in swordplay, the alive hand played an important part in confusing the Spanish swordplay. This was especially true in the southern Philippines where they were unconquered for 366 years.

When the alive hand is not being used, it is generally kept near the center of your chest.

Use of the Bantay Kamay is developed during free-flow drills. The Bantay Kamay may take the following functions - actions:

1. Pigil (Jamming) - stopping a strike or attack.

2. Paayon (Flowing - Go with the force) - redirecting a strike.

3. Suntok-Tusok (Punch or Thrust) - a secondary attack during Solo Baston or Multiple weapons drill - engagement. Also known as Sogo (Spearhand attack).

4. Dukot-Batok (Head Lock or Grab) - a grappling or throwing technique during Solo Baston engagement. May also be executed in Multiple Weapons environment by using the Punyo (butt or pommel).

5. Sampal-Kalawit (Palm Strike or Hook) - a palm-strike or hooking technique leading to a take-down during Solo Baston engagement. May also be executed in Multiple Weapons environment by using the blade portion (near the hilt) of the stick or weapon.

6. Saplit (Centrifuge Disarm) - a complimentary technique leading to disengagement or disarm of the opponent's weapon(s).

7. Concierto (Coordinated - Tandem Weapons - Hands) - a blind side or inside technique that uses the Bantay Kamay in coordination with the primary weapon to execute a simultaneous counter-attack and control.

8. Hawak-Sunggab (Hold or Grab) - the restraint of the opponent's weapon hand for the subsequent execution of a counter or a disarm.

There are many more variations and definitions regarding the use of the Bantay Kamay, but they can be classified under two general classifications:

1. Salisi - (Opposite Directions)
a. Salising Papasok aka Salisok
(Opposite Directions - Inward, aka Ops-in)
b. Salising Palabas aka Salibas
(Opposite Directions - Outward, aka Ops-out)

in addition the movements are classified as :
- Planchada (Horizontal)
- Aldabis or San Miguel (Diagonal)
- Bagsak or Bartikal (Vertical)

2. Concierto (Coordinated/Tandem Movement)
a. Papasok (Inward)
b. Palabas (Outward)

These classifications are descriptive of the relationship of the counter to the attacker's striking arm. If the attacker's arm or weapon is pushed towards the attacker's body, it is classified as inward and vice-versa.

"The alive hand is the real weapon."

Dan Inosanto

Do not grab the stick

In most weapons-based systems, the alive hand, the one not holding the weapon, plays an important role. Some practitioners even insist that skill with the alive hand is as important as skill with the weapon. As you focus on maximizing the potential of your alive hand in combat, avoid using it to grab your opponent’s stick. Use that technique against an opponent armed with a blade and you’ll immediately know why.

That advice also pertains to the "stick wrap" and "snake disarm". While those techniques can be effective for trapping or disarming an opponent who has a blunt weapon, if he’s holding a real blade, all he has to do is move it around a bit and you’ll be cut to ribbons. If you must use a wrap or snake disarm, do it on his arm. Then get a joint lock on the entangled limb or hold it long enough to land a few strikes.

The exception: When you must defend against a sword or machete being thrust at you, it’s sometimes advisable to slap the blade. That’s because if you reach for his hand, the point of his weapon might penetrate your body. Furthermore, if you parry the blade, you have a 50/50 chance of slapping one of its flat sides. Even if you lose that gamble and get cut, it probably won’t be that serious unless you have a close encounter with the point.

Ambidexterity

Through constant practice, your weak or non-dominant hand can be as strong and effective as your dominant or weapon hand. Training in the use of the alive hand develops also important psychophysical attributes like kinesthetic sensitivity, spatial judgment, reaction time and flow...

Tapi-Tapi 4-count Kali hands

Outside and inside arm, adding finger jabs on each count. Adding also:

Destructions (Guntings)

Controlling (Dumog)

Immobilizations (Kuni or Trancada) Knees (Tuhod)

Elbows (Siko)

Kicking (Paa)

or anything you want to free lance...