This week, everyone’s favorite gold coin-collecting assassin is back to unleash another onslaught of artsy, neo-noir violence on the big screen with John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. This time, Keanu Reeves’ Wick is putting his skills to the test as The High Table, its universe’s league of killers, puts a bounty on his head.
The film series has been praised for its stylized action, which includes some of the best martial arts action in recent memory. Expect more of that in this third installment—the main villain is played by martial arts movie stalwart Mark Dacascos, whose credentials include starring in the cheesy ‘90s classic Only The Strong (watch it on YouTube, you’ll thank us later).
Unlike the high-flying wire-fu action Reeves portrayed in the Matrix franchise, Wick’s style is much more grounded in gritty reality. For the role, Reeves studied a variety of martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Of course, we have our own homegrown forms of combat which can likewise give you assassin-level edge and hand-to-hand skills.
The Philippines is home to many native martial arts that go by a variety of names. One of these is the Abenir Kalis System, founded by Bong Abenir. This system is an amalgamation of all the arts Abenir has studied over the years under such legendary names as grandmasters Antonio ‘Tatang’ Ilustrisimo and Tony Diego, and includes the use of knives, sticks, and firearms.
Here, Abenir and his students demonstrate five moves you can use against an armed attacker. However, Abenir advises that the best form of defense is to not be there. “Pag may knife attacker, if you could find a way to get out of the scene, mas mabuti yun,” he advises.
Technique 1:
- In this scenario, both you and the attacker are wielding a knife.
- As the attacker steps in to thrust, step to the side and parry his knife hand. At the same time, slash your own knife against his bicep.
- Step in and finish the fight with a stab to the liver or kidney.
Technique 2:
- In this scenario, you are empty-handed against a knife-wielding assailant.
- As the attacker stabs downwards Psycho style, block with both hands. One hand will grab the attacker’s wrist, the other will block against his bicep.
- Pull the attacker’s arm towards your waist to pull him off balance. At the same time, take a backward step.
- Move your hand from his bicep to his wrist, and use your other hand to push against the knife to disarm.
Technique 3:
- In this scenario, a knife-wielding attacker grabs you from behind and places a knife on your throat.
- Immediately, grab the attacker’s knife hand with both your hands and pivot towards him in the same direction.
- Continue turning until you are facing him, keeping your hands gripped on his knife hand.
- Finish the fight by stabbing his own knife into his thigh.
Technique 4
- In this scenario, the attacker grabs you by the neck with one hand while attempting to stab you with the other.
- When the attacker thrusts, forcefully block the knife hand using your forearm.
- Grab his wrist with your other hand and immediately turn into an arm lock position.
- Apply pressure to his elbow and disarm the knife.
Technique 5
- In this scenario, both you and your attacker are wielding short swords.
- As the attacker slashes downward, block with the flat side of your blade and parry with your other hand.
- As your blade slides across his sword, keep a hold of his wrist, step to the side, and perform a downward slash of your own towards his head.
- Step into your opponent and push his wrist across your body. Disarm the blade with a wrist lock and finish with a stab to the liver.
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