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| Rick_nz |
 Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 5:20 am |
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Site Admin
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 1167
Location: Levin,New Zealand
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Greetings and Salutations People.
I thought I would give brother Danny a head start to describing his system Diamond Back Eskrima to the RA members.
Below is a article that my mate Czaric Rudd had wrote with his old instructor Greg Henderson (about a decade ago) it was published in the New Zealand Martial arts magazine and I still had a copy of the draft. Czaric is a member of our forum (CzaricNZ), But at the moment he has chosen another form of combat to follow,so he hasn’t been on here for some time, I am sure he wont mind me sharing this article that he wrote. I first met Greg when I went down and visited Czaric for Easter weekend over a decade ago at Zhivargos night club(sp?) in Nelson. I introduced Czaric to Greg and they ended up living together and training 24/7 for quiet sometime.
Danny, Lee hopefully this is good start to describing your art and abit of history on your art, feel free to add your input.
The CR is Czaric Rudd
The GH is Greg Henderson
*the following is NOT my words*
Master Greg (gorio) Henderson is the father of eskrima kali arnis in New Zealand. he is founder of the diamondback system of eskrima and founding member of the world eskrima kali arnis federation. he has been teaching since 1974 in New Zealand. A founding member of the institute of Philippine martial arts of Cuba inc. Coach and captain of New Zealand international eskrima team for the world championships in 1989 & 1991 and a international referee and judge. With 30 years experience the Filipino martial arts he has conducted seminars/workshops in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Philippines, Britain and the USA.
He has taught police, prison guards, Maori wardens and military personnel through out the world. A personal security consultant, bodyguard and bouncer/doorman he is one of the few westerners recognized as a master in the Philippines.
CR- Master Henderson, greetings and salutations.
GH –Thank you, but please call me Greg. I find a lot of people in the martial arts world are jumping on the bandwagon with all the titles. In the Philippines we were always on a first name basis with our instructors even if they were Grand masters. I am happy to just known as an Eskrimador.
CR –Where were you born and who raised you?
GH – I was born in Scotland in 1955.although very sick at 7 months, with my mother I rejoined my Grandparents who had immigrated a few months earlier to New Zealand. I was raised by my Grandparents who lived in Otara, South Auckland, which was the poorer side of town(blue collar working class)
CR – Can you tell us how first got involved in Martial arts?
GH – Being the only kid in the area who spoke with a different accent and was quiet small, made me a prime target for the local bullies, and I was getting into fights .I had just turned 9 years old when my grandfather took me out back of the house for my first lesson. I trained with him for ten years, until he passed away in 1974.
I also trained with Philip Lam and the lee gar Kung Fu group for about 1 ½ years in 1979 and 1980.I found this to be a exceptional fighting form. In 1980 I won the New Zealand Kung Fu light weight championships. shortly after I went to visit my sister and while I was playing a friendly game of soccer I had my ankle and knee damaged, so I was unable to return to Auckland to carry on training and I didn’t compete in any tournaments until 7 years later.
CR – Tell us about your Grandfather and family
GH – The principle family of Henderson was the clan Eanruig. They were in Glencoe around 300 years before King Robert the Bruce granted Angus of the Isles lordship over Glencoe. The Henderson’s who were notable for their honesty, loyalty, strength and fighting abilities, always formed the bodyguard of the chieftains. they fought and died along side the Mac Ians (Mac Donald’s) in Glencoe, during the night of the 12th February 1692 when they were betrayed by government troops. Certain clans had positions in the fighting line when fighting a common enemy. This honor was jealously guarded and we know the result at the disaster of Culloden, when the place of the MacDonald’s on the right wing was usurped by the Stewards. These were the story’s I was raised on and to be proud of the name Henderson.
My grandfather was orphaned with a younger brother in the1st world war and had a hard upbringing. I once asked who he had learned from and he told me a Filipino friend named Greggorio (my name sake).He always said “I can give you my name and some self defense; It is up to you how you use them in life.
My mother told me of the time she was assaulted by the leader of a gang; he was the son of the local bookey. Before she could break free, he slashed her new coat with his cut throat razor. When my Grandfather found out he took her around to the bookie’s house and in front of the father told his son to come out and face him. He came out with his cut throat razor opened ready to fight. My grandfather was unarmed but made fast work of him and beat him to an inch of his life. The father never interfered as back then it was a unwritten law that you never harmed a woman.
CR- Can you tell us how you become a inside student of Grandmaster Eulogio Canete?
GH- In 1987 along with four Australians, four British and three Americans. I was invited to the Philippines by the Doce Pare’s organization and Naraphil. We were there for training and to help form and be part of the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation. This was to bring together and help propagate the indigenous Filipino Martial arts.
I was invited by Grandmaster Ciriaco Canete to demonstrate my style at the University of Vasayas. He told me after that the pangamot (unarmed combat) that my grandfather had trained me in, was what they had used in the 2nd world war against the Japanese.
Although we trained with different masters and grandmasters from various styles. I preferred Grandmaster Eulogio Canete (Inko to his friends) traditional style. I asked him if he would take me on as a student as I wished to learn the real eskrima. He was the President of Doce pares for a remarkable 56 years.
CR – What was training with the grandmaster and his students like?
GH – Soon after I started training, I realized that a lot of my perceptions of eskrima would be changing. Training started at 6am with the usual limbering and flexibility exercises before the formal lessons and familiarization drills were introduced. Familiarization drills are important for instilling muscle memory and in promoting motor skill. After a short break for breakfast, training was resumed with emphasis on correct execution of techniques. Later on, we mastered in the advanced stages of the whole training course. The afternoons were spent training for strength and endurance. Then a longer rest period was allowed. Devoted to reading on the history and underlying concepts and principles of eskrima, if there was still time, additional readings were provided on teaching methodology and a wide range of subjects notably on the value systems and Filipino culture.
Towards the evening training centered on accuracy and speed exercises and the practical application of techniques and concepts. I was really surprised to learn what eskrima was all about. It is so much more than stickfighting or fighting at all. It is a way of life.
We usually ended up our daily training sessions with long discussions dealing with any topic. But my questions would usually revolve around tactics and strategy in Eskrima.
CR – Eskrima Kali or Arnis are all names for the Filipino Martial Arts. What are your comments on them and what does your art mean to you?
GH – There are many different dialects in the Philippines, Pangamot and Paqulisi were the first names used and now in different places Eskrima, Kali and Arnis are in use. In Cebu where I Trained, Eskrima is used. Eskrima in one word means survival. It is a living breathing art.
CR – Different styles in Eskrima clubs stick to one style while others prefer a eclectic style or a traditional one. Why is this?
GH – Both of them have there own purpose, one can even complement the other, Imagine if everyone trained and become eclectic, how would we train the next generation of students who are different from us? We can only teach them things that work for us – The same with life. Life is never mutually exclusive. To appreciate joy you need to experience pain. You cannot savor sweetness if you have not tasted bitterness. This was why I founded Diamondback systems to be non-politic.
I believe to survive, eskrima needs to be packaged and presented to potential students on a different way than it was originally intended to be. We can do this with out totally forgetting or throwing away the essence of eskrima as Inko had taught me. There is a need to reorient our presentation and strategy of selling eskrima to the public. Failure to adjust to the changing environment can only spell failure. However, we do not have to sell our values down the drain. All we need is to adjust to the marketing needs without to much commercialization. Essentially you need to work with in the framework of sound teaching concepts and principles, with a good dose of motivation (applied psychology) and allowing for creativity and flexibility to allow each and every student to grow to their full potential.
Times do change and people or systems that do not adjust to such change die out eventually. Look at it this way, how many people out of 100 will find themselves needing martial arts skill to preserve there life. Everyone needs to prepare and work for a living wither they like it or not. How much time can the devote to practice to be good. Few have 30 years free to spend training now a days. This may sound funny coming from a traditionalist to some, but this way you can have your cake and eat it to.
CR – Can you tell us about your schools in New Zealand and what makes you different?
GH – We have started branches in Dunedin, Nelson and Auckland .Our plans are to develop other clubs in more centers as soon as we have qualified instructors. Only qualified instructors are permitted to open schools in the Diamond Back system as we have a set format of the core elements for each grade. These core elements are like the foundation or building block of our art. This way the student can understand the total fighting concepts and visit another Diamondback school and train in the same format. It also allows creativity. We do not have a 12 striking numbering system, but have gone back to the 7 strike pattern of “1521”.One of my main concerns was the lack of a spiritual base and importance of god in our lives.
CR – Is the Diamondback system hard to learn and how long would it take to learn?
GH – The techniques or the development of technical skills is easy .The hard part is being able to master them; harder still is assimilating into your daily life. It depends on the individual on how long it will take you to learn eskrima, and what you want out of it
You can train for physical fitness, self defense or even for tournaments, or you can study the art seriously and make it a life long endeavor.
CR – What was it like teaching Filipinos their own art?
GH – I think it's the movies!But most filipino's think that the westerners are better at martial arts.It is funny Westerners would most likely prefer a filipino or an instructor from another country over one of there own.Just as not all Japanese study Karate.not all filipino's study Eskrima.I enjoyed teaching in the Philippines.The students are friendly and it gives me a chance to look up old friends and train with other Eskrimadors.One who is agood friend is Master Wennie De La Rosa who teaches Balintawak Eskrima at the YMCA in Cebu.He is another instructor that we are looking at,to bring over to NZ for seminars
CR – Could you relate any past experiences where your training was used?
GH – there have been plenty of time where my training was used. In 1990-91 I was working in one of the roughest bars in the south. It had a reputation for all night brawls and was a favorite hang out for gangs and bikers.
The building had four separate bars with over 1,000 patrons drinking on a normal Saturday night, and only myself with the help of three of my students to keep the peace. Because of the violence that frequently erupted we had to rule with “GHENKIS KHAN” mentality which in most cases meant we fought fire with fire. On one occasion a group of gang members were drinking in one of the bars, while two rival biker gangs were outside numbering between 70-80 members.
The bikers wanted retribution for being forcibly evicted earlier during the week. As they entered the bar we were faced with a violent confrontation with one choice. The four of us decided that weapons would be only ally, so out came a machete, iron pipes and knives.(Anyway) to our surprise 8 members of the gang drinking in the bar were backing us up. Then the locals wanted to jump in and help us. Because of this, the situation was defused.
I still haven’t figured out if we were brave or just plain stupid, but we did earn the respect of locals and the gangs. The years in security work took a toll on me as my personality started to change for the worse. I started to enjoy the violence and reality combat on the streets. I found out what worked and what didn’t work for me. I would call this my dark side.
I think most who have worked the hard bars go through this at some stage and if you don’t control the animal within yourself it will eventually destroy you. The exposure of violence and negative emotions will unbalance the spiritual or inner peace of anyone over a long period. You must never allow mental or emotional conditions to have any power over you., only when you learn to gain control of your reactions and learn to rule your inner self then peace and happiness are possible. You must accept individual responsibility for your own action, reaction and self control. Until we cease to be influenced by surrounding conditions, we can never hope to exercise any influence over them.
CR – This is your third seminar tour to the USA.How do you find the American students?
GH – The first trip was a eye opener for me.I had spent the 5 months previous traijning in the Philippines with Master Earnest Berdin, who was my sparring partner and another student of Inko.
I had been hired as a bodyguard to look after a karate and eskrima master from the USA. He invited me to visit his school in California. Once there, I visited other schools and I met Professor Bill Rodriguez from Oakland, A master of Kajukenbo. I was impressed by his practical martial art and found him to be a sincere martial artist and a good friend, which I hope to bring to NZ next year. Another good friend I met was Master Sonny Umpad, who is the founder of Visayan style Corto Kadena.I had been introduced to him by Greg Lee the son of James Lee.
CR – Is that the same James Lee that Bruce Lee lived with?
GH – That’s right ,Anyway Sonny had photo’s on his wall and one was my instructor.It turned out we had trained with some of the same people and styles.Now you can take any Eskrimador from one style and they will look different. So we showed each other where we were both coming from. Sonny is more of a two stick man. that isn’t to say he cant use single weapons or empty hands,
Where I was more single or long and short. The difference in our height ,weight and also because of the security work, I had spent a lot of time with locks. I introduced some of my students to him when I left for Britain as I didn’t know if and when I would be back.
The second trip was after I returned from a seminar tour of Europe and Britain.I was picked up by Carlino Ruiz,who had been training me in handguns.I will always be in his debt for his hospitality.Once again Profesor Bill Rodriguez introduced me to other dedicated martial artists.Between the lessons with Carlino,the visits with Sonny and the seminars I was conducting,I had a full schedule.I left the USA 3 months later to run 5 seminars in the Philippines.It’s funny how the filippino’s think that the westerners is better at martial arts.I think it is because (with me anyway) of the honesty and the open way we teach (or all the movies).
I am looking forward to working with Bill and his students again and in all the seminars I have run in the USA,I found the students to be honourable and dedicated plus open minded about other martial arts.I have been asked to open schools in the USA and this trip will help me decide.
CR – Have you any closing Remarks
GH – Always be honest with yourself in anything that you do,that way you will always be honest with others.Train hard in your respective martial arts ,byt remember that punches or kicks are techiniques to kill the ego.In a self defence situationkeep it simple and direct.always believe in yourself and god as that is where all the power lies
special note:with the article there was a picture Of Greg in the middle of GM Tony Campo and GM Felemon "momoy" Canete |
Last edited by Rick_nz on Mon Apr 02, 2007 1:47 am; edited 3 times in total
_________________
YBIFMA
"Riki the PR Man"
“We have but one life and I intend to enjoy mine”.
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| Rick_nz |
| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 1:08 pm |
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Site Admin
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 1167
Location: Levin,New Zealand
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Hey Lee,Danny & Sailor
As most of our RA forum members are unaware of what the Diamondback system is all about, 
I thought i would get the ball rolling as such.
Feel free to leave your input and experience of the Diamondback eskrima here.  |
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"Riki the PR Man"
“We have but one life and I intend to enjoy mine”.
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| durka durka |
| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 4:18 pm |
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Guest
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thanks rick- much appreciated... looks pretty close to being Gregs path of eskrima..
hope this brings sum enlightenment to were DBE has come from... or just ask ..
thank you
danny |
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| Rick_nz |
| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 5:21 pm |
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Site Admin
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 1167
Location: Levin,New Zealand
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No worries mate.
All part of the team Brother.
Actualy i have one question (Yes only one question  )
the 7 strike pattern of “1521”. what strikes does that consist of? |
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YBIFMA
"Riki the PR Man"
“We have but one life and I intend to enjoy mine”.
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| Rick_nz |
| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 6:31 pm |
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| Haha ,Czaric was just here and had a coffee,I told him what i done.he is all sweet.I just got to send him a copy via email now and it was about 1994 when he wrote the article. |
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YBIFMA
"Riki the PR Man"
“We have but one life and I intend to enjoy mine”.
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| durka durka |
| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 7:31 pm |
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lol... am unable to assist with that 1- 1521 was a bit b4 my time.. :)
maybe lee will know?
or lapu lapu...? |
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| Rick_nz |
| Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 2:52 am |
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Site Admin
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 1167
Location: Levin,New Zealand
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My interpertation of Diamondback is that it is very similar to Docepares group as in SME,Eskrido and multi-style sytems,
there is alot more emphasis on concepts and principles and the mind in Diamondback eskrima system.
The system has all the contents like most other eskrima systems.like single stick - double stick - espada Y daga - knife - locks - empty hands.
the only exception is that the diamondback system had a 7 strike system instead of a 12 strike system like most other systems of eskrima
I would say Rapid Arnis and Diamond back system are very similar as both arts have its roots back to the Docepares family.
But the differance id say would be Rapid Arnis is more a Yang style and diamondback is more a yin style.
From what i recall there was a belt rank system of white- yellow - orange - green - blue - brown and of course the black belt ranks and the progresion from each rank flowed or blended well from the previous rank ,just like Rapid Arnis and the Docepares curriculm.
Thats my 2 cents guys,I think i have done me job of getting the ball rolling
Im sure if my interpretation of the diamondback system is wrong the southerners (Lee & Danny) will correct me.If not Sailor will correct me
*Gets ready to be tackled by the Diamondback crew*
*puts out some Bourbon & speights for the boys* |
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YBIFMA
"Riki the PR Man"
“We have but one life and I intend to enjoy mine”.
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| durka durka |
| Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 3:54 am |
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lookn good - cheers rick...
the seven stike -starting strike system is.... how many numbers do you need...
and as you progess we insert a modified quadrant application .... teaching left and right with basic angles and varibles....+++...
the yin to the yang... well were both with shades of grey meshing everything inbetween.. at times we train for the flow and other times its a harder version- depending on wots required at the time... and of course- student retention :)
i prefer the sword application and flow and the fun lighthearted relaxed version of training.... once you let go you realze strength and brutelity are just a small part of the physical training... everyone already has this - i tend to develop the flow and simpleness of effective tec followed with a floating elbow or 2..lol/ as time goes by a lot of masters lean this way- a softer yet effective way to unleash the inner mongrel which can come out to play and then is put away till its needed...{economy of motion and energy}
yes we do have a belt grading system- pretty standard - except we make you earn your white belt.
stratagy plays a big part in every battle and to be aware is to be prepared- our eskrima is applyed in everything we do in our lives- not just contained to the gym.
hope this and ricks hard work has aided you some insight to DBE..
danny |
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| Rick_nz |
| Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 4:17 am |
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Site Admin
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 1167
Location: Levin,New Zealand
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Cheers Danny.
Im DBE drained now
Now that i started the ball rolling I shall now leave it up to you experts
*bows out gracefully with a bottle of bourbon*
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YBIFMA
"Riki the PR Man"
“We have but one life and I intend to enjoy mine”.
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| DiamondBack |
| Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 5:00 am |
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Joined: 27 Jan 2007
Posts: 86
Location: Otago, New Zealand
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I would guess that 1521 is a daga technique if the #'s relate to strikes.
These strikes are
1 - Forehand Down Diag
5 - Thrust to gut / Groin / SP
2 - Backhand Down Diag
1 - see 1 above
However this strike pattern does not gel with me.
i.e. I dont think it relates to our strike #s - maybe Balintawak
Hope this helps |
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| Rick_nz |
| Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:23 pm |
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| Pat OMalley |
| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 5:49 am |
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Great article, gives a better understanding of Diamond Back Eskrima, I realy enjoyed reading it.
I will have to pull out some of my old articles for you guys to compare, I think you would be pleasently surprised.
Rick_nz wrote:
I would say Rapid Arnis and Diamond back system are very similar as both arts have its roots back to the Docepares family.
But the differance id say would be Rapid Arnis is more a Yang style and diamondback is more a yin style.
Ying and Yang, well having not done any Diamond back I cant compare, hard and soft, maybe both have a bit of both from a different perpestive based on our life expeariances.
Reading the article I would have to say the expeariances of both Greg and myself are more similar than different.
For instance I was bron in what is considered the roughest part of Scotland, Govan, Glasgow, at about 7 years old I moved to what many say is the roughest part of London, (Hackney). Having a different accent and ginger hair, I got into a lot of fights.
Worked some bars and clubs and yes all these things influence how you do things.
But I will leave that story for another day. But does sound like we are more similar than we are different.
YBIFMA
Pat |
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| Pat OMalley |
| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:10 am |
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Joined: 26 Jun 2006
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Hey Brother Riki, the admin cheif  I would say that with all this discussion on Diamond Back Eskrima, surely we should move them to their own section as opposed to just being in the other FMA styles.
After all there is more discussion going on here than in some of the more well known styles threads
YBIFMA
Pat |
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| Rick_nz |
| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:17 am |
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Site Admin
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
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Pat OMalley wrote: Hey Brother Riki, the admin cheif I would say that with all this discussion on Diamond Back Eskrima, surely we should move them to their own section as opposed to just being in the other FMA styles.
After all there is more discussion going on here than in some of the more well known styles threads
YBIFMA
Pat
Done Brother |
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"Riki the PR Man"
“We have but one life and I intend to enjoy mine”.
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| durka durka |
| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 11:07 pm |
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| just clicked onto wot you were talkn about with 1521- not the year lol....would seem logical if it was a knife drill but went 1diag slash down,5thrust,2diag slash down,5 repeat- bit boring but gets the repitition in... |
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