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LevelI.YangGripBasics(Greenbelt)

1.Figure8s:downwardandupward 2.The14basicstrikes:stationary,retreating,andadvancing 3.The6Basicblocks:stationary,retreating,andadvancing 4.Four-countsinawali(doubletambo):sticks,partner,heavybag

LevelII.YinGripBasics(1Brownstripe) 1.Figure8s:downward 2.The14basicstrikes:stationary,retreating,andadvancing 3.The6Basicblocks:stationary,retreating,andadvancing 4.Six-countsinawali(doubleyang):sticks,partner,heavybag

LevelIII.Tambovs.TamboDisarms(2Brownstripes) 1.Longrange a.Usethebasicstrikestotargettheweaponhand 2.Mediumrange a.Pop:block,grab,anduseahardstyleblocktodisarm b.Hookingwiththebutt 3.Closerange a.Doubleendgrip:block,ram,andhook b.Snakingwiththefreearm

LevelIV.Tambo1andApplications(Brownbelt) 1.Tambo1andapplications 2.Tres-tresLevelV.Tambo2andApplications(2Blackstripes) 1.Tambo2andapplications 2.Louie-ta-ta-ta

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IntroductionTamboisaJapanesetermfortheshortstick,howevertheCuongNhutambocurriculum,inclassiceclecticfashion,findsitsrootsintheVietnamesestickarts.TheVietnamesewordforshortstickis“doancon,”andthelengthdependsonyourheight.Holdingyourtamboinanaturalgrip,withyourarmsatthesideofyourbody,thetipshouldreachjustbelowyourankle.Thetamboshouldbeaboutoneinchindiameter.Rattanissaferthanhardwood;itislighter,fibrous,anddoesnotsplinterandbreak.KatapracticeisanimportantpartoftheVietnamesestickarts,utilizinghardandfastwhippingmotionsaswellassoftfluidmotions.InVietnam,shortstickdemonstrationswerefrequentlyaccompaniedbydrumstoenhancerhythmandpower.

FightingStanceLeadwiththetamboheldinyourdominanthand,andfightfromacrouchedpositionwithyourkneesbentandbodyhollowedout.Staylightontheballsofyourfeet.Holdyourtambohighenoughthattheupperpartoftheweaponcaneasilycoveryourhead.Keepyourguardinghandupandready!

BasicStrategyThemostbasicstrategywiththetamboisto“beatyouropponenttothepunch”byattackingtheouteredgesofhisbody,rainingdownstrikesontheouterregions(i.e.,thetopandbackofthehead,theearshands,arms,neck,waist,thighs,kneecaps,andcalves;ofcourse,ifyouropponentisstandingsideways,youcanthenaimattheabdomen,nose,eyes,andgroinaswell).Toeffectivelypracticetotheair,youmustimagineyouropponentstandinginfrontofyou.Speedandaccuracyarethekeycomponentstousingthisstrategysuccessfully.

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LevelI.YangGripBasics(Greenbelt)Thenatural(yang)gripisthemostcommonoffensiveposition.Holdthetamboatoneendsothatitextendsoutwardfromthethumbsideofyourclenchedfist.Thebuttofthestickshouldextendoneinchfromtheknifeedgesideofyourhand.Thisgivesyouenoughtostrikewith,butnotenoughthatyouropponentcouldgrabtheendofthestickandpotentiallydisarmyou.

SixGuardingPositions(yanggrip)Therearesixguardingpositions,alsocalledreadypositionsor“parkinglots.”Eachofthepositionscanbeutilizedasatransitionbetweenstrikes.Eachofyourstrikesshouldstartandfinishatoneofthesereadypositions.Whenyourtambois“parked,”yourfreehandassumesaguardingpositiononyourcenterline.Noneoftheguardingpositionslimitthechoiceofstrikesthatyoucandeliver.Thefollowingsixguardingpositionsaregivenforarightyanggrip,howeveryoushouldpracticethemonbothsideswithbothyourrightandlefthands.Theyare: 1.Overyourleftshoulder 2.Overyourrightshoulder 3.Outsideyourleftarm(bytriceps) 4.Outsideyourrightarm(bytriceps) 5.Byyourlefthip 6.Byyourrighthip(palmfacingout)

Figure8s(yanggrip)Thefigure8isabasictwirlthatconsistsoftwostrikes,adownwarddiagonalstrikefromrighttoleftfollowedbyanotherfromlefttoright,formingan“X”infrontofyou.Theshapecouldalsobeseenasafigure8onitsside,likeaninfinitysymbol∞.

14BasicStrikesThereare14basicstrikesintheCuongNhutambocurriculum.Eachstrikecanbeperformedwithyourtambointheyangoryingrips,butonlytheyanggripstrikesarerequiredfortherankofonebrownstripe.Practicethestrikesseparatelyatfirst;checkingtomakesureyoufollowthesamepatheachtimeyoustrike.Useamirrortocheckwhetheryouarestrikingthroughthesamepointeachtime.Striveforprecisionandswinghard,followingthroughwithyourhipsandshouldersoneachstrike.Thepatternbelowisexplainedusingarightgrip.Whenyouhavemasteredtherightside,switchtotheleftgripandrepeatthepatternusingthemirrorimagestrikes(e.g.,arighttoleftdiagonalstrikeintherightgripbecomesalefttorightstrikewhenusinga leftgrip).Developstrikingpowerbyhittingaheavybagortire.

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Fromareadyposition: 1.Diagonallydownwardfromlefttoright 2.Diagonallydownwardfromrighttoleft 3.Horizontallyfromlefttoright 4.Horizontallyfromrighttoleft 5.Diagonallyupwardfromlefttoright 6.Diagonallyupwardfromrighttoleft 7.Verticallydownwardthroughcenterline (i.e.,throughopponent’snose,solarplexus,andgroin) 8.Verticallyupwardthroughcenterline (endwithtambobehindyourback,righthandatrightshoulder) 9.Horizontallyhigh(templelevel)fromrighttoleft 10.Horizontallylow(kneelevel)fromlefttoright 11.Horizontallylow(kneelevel)fromrighttoleft 12.Horizontallyhigh(templelevel)fromlefttoright 13.Jabforwardtosolarplexus 14.Jabbehindbyswitchingtambotoyingrip,reinforcingthetambo alongyourforearmandslidingbackintoabackstance

Focuson:PrecisionHitwiththetipofthesticktomaximizeyourpsi. Strikes#1-8shouldallpassthrougha6”targetatsolarplexuslevel. Useatargetsticktotestyourself(shootfor90%accuracy).Angle “Cut”fromshouldertohipondiagonalstrikes. Makeverticalstrikesasverticalaspossible. Checkyourselfinamirrororhavesomeonelookatyou.Stance Pivotontheballsofyourfeettogetthepowerofyourhipsintoyour strikes,butdonotturnyourbodysomuchthatyouleaveyourself opentoacounterattack.Follow-throughFinishinoneofthe“parkinglots”readytostrikeagain!

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SixBasicBlocksTherearesixbasicblocksintheCuongNhuTambocurriculum.Therearetwohighblocks,oneontheleftsideandoneontheright,twomiddleblocks(leftandright),andtwolowlevelblocks(leftandright).Blocktheweakestpartofyouropponent'sweapon(closetohishand)withthestrongestpartofyours(thelowerhalfofyourtambo).Immediatelyfolloweachblockwithswiftandlogicalcounterattacks.Targettheopponent'sweaponhandattheearliestopportunity.Doublestrikebyfollowingbuttstrikeswithtipstrikesandvice-versa.Asyougetmorecomfortablewiththetambo,trypracticingindifferentconditions:intherain,onunevensurfacessuchasstairs,whilesitting,orevenlyingonthefloor.Substituteyourtambowithimprovisedweapons(anumbrella,tennisracket,etc.).

TheBlockingProgression

Basic:StaticBlockingThisexerciseteachesyouto“taketheshot.”Keepthefreeendofthetambofirmlyanchoredagainstyourbody.Blockhandtohandandsticktostick.Onceyounolongerfeartheopponent'sweapon,youwillbegintomovewithmorestrengthandconfidence.Practiceinfrontofamirrortoperfectyourpositioning.

Intermediate:StaticBlockingwithMovementOption1.Moveintojamthestrikeintheaccelerationzone,beforeitreachesfull speed.Utilizechungchi(forwardflowingenergy).Strivetostrikehis handwithyourblockwhileyouuseyouremptyhandtocheckthe opponent’sarmorattackhisface.Option2.Moveintothedecelerationzonetoweakenthestrike,meetingitatits outerlimit.Thisleadstoadvanceddynamicblocking.

Advanced:DynamicBlockingUsefootwork,anglinginandawayfromtheattacktoavoidthestrike.Blocksticktostickandhandtohand,maintainingcohesionwiththeopponent'sweaponhandand/orcontrollingtheweapon.Thefreeendofyourtambodoesnottouchyourbody,butneutralizestheincomingattackwithashortbutpowerful“pulsestrike.”

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TheBlockingDrillBeginningwithhighdiagonalstrikesandhighblocks,continuewithmid-levelstrikesandmiddleblocks,andfinishwithlowstrikesandlowblocks.Onepartnerstrikeswhiletheotherblocksandthenstrikesbackatthesamelevel,allowingbothpartnerstoblockandstrike.Bothpartnersshouldmove,steppingaroundinacircularpatternastheystrikeandblock.Remembertoalwayschecktheopponent'sweaponhandwithyourguardinghand.Trydifferentvariationsonthisdrillbyholdingthetamboindifferentgrips,changingtheorderoftheblocks,etc. FourCountSinawaliSinawalireferstotheactivityof“weaving”,asappliedinthePilipinoartsofeskrima,arnis,andkaliusingtwoweaponswithorwithoutapartner.Sinawalitrainingisoftenintroducedtonovicestohelpthemdevelopcertainfundamentalskillssuchastiming,coordination,rhythm,footworkandbodyalignment.

Startwithbothstickschamberedonyourrightside,righthandontop,andlefthandunderneath.Swingtherightstickacrossyourcenterfromrighttoleft(1).Followitwiththeleftstick(2),whichcomestorestunderneaththerightarm.Swingtherightstickbackacrossyourcenterfromlefttoright(3).Followitwiththeleftstick(4),whichagaincomestorestunderneaththerightarm.Repeat.

Duringtheinitiallearningstages,itisacceptabletoperformhorizontalstrikes,butstrivetomakethemintodiagonaldownwardstrikes.

Practicefirsttotheair,thentoapartner’sstickswhichheholdsoutstationarybeforehim.Onceyouhavethepattern,performthedrillwithapartner,hittingeachother’ssticksinfrontofyou.Strikeaheavybagorhangingtiretodeveloppower.

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Level II. Yin Grip Basics (1 Brown stripe) Nowthatyouhavelearnedyourtambobasicsusingtheyanggrip,youwillneedtolearnthesametechniquesusingthereverse,oryingrip.Theyingripisconsideredadeceptivepositionbecausethestickcanbeeasilyhidden.Thebuttofthestickshouldextendoneinchfromthethumbsideofyourclenchedfist.Themajorityofthestickextendsfromtheknifeedgesideofyourhand.FiveGuardingPositions(yingrip)Therearefiveguardingpositionsutilizingtheyingrip.Eachofthepositionscanbeutilizedasatransitionbetweenreversegripstrikes.Eachofyourstrikesshouldstartandfinishatoneofthesereadypositions.Whenyourtambois“parked,”yourfreehandassumesaguardingpositiononyourcenterline.Noneoftheguardingpositionslimitthechoiceofstrikesyoucandeliver.Thesepositionscanalsobeusedtohideorconcealyourweapon.Thefollowingsixguardingpositionsaregivenforarightyingrip,howeveryoushouldpracticethemonbothsideswithyourrightandlefthand. 1.Overyourleftshoulder 2.Insideyourleftarm(bytriceps) 3.Behindyourrightarm(lockedagainstforearm) 4.Byyourlefthip 5.Byyourrighthip(palmfacingout)SixBlocks(yingrip)JustastherearesixbasicyanggripblocksintheCuongNhuTambocurriculum,sotooaretheresixbasicyingripblocks.Therearetwohighblocks,oneontheleftsideandoneontheright,twomiddleblocks(leftandright),andtwolowlevelblocks(leftandright).Eachblockcanbeperformedwithyourtambointheyangoryingrips,andsincethecurriculumiscumulative,botharerequiredfortherankofonebrownstripe.

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14BasicStrikes(yin/amgrip)Thereare14basicstrikesintheCuongNhutambocurriculum.Eachstrikecanbeperformedwithyourtambointheyangoryingrips.Botharerequiredfortherankofonebrownstripes.Practicetheyinstrikesseparatelyatfirst,checkingtomakesureyoufollowthesamepatheachtimeyoustrike.Useamirrortocheckwhetheryouarestrikingthroughthesamepointeachtime.Striveforprecisionandswinghard,followingthroughwithyourhipsandshouldersoneachstrike.Thepatternbelowisexplainedfromarightgrip.Whenyouhavemasteredtherightside,switchtotheleftgripandrepeatthepatternusingthemirrorimagestrikes(e.g.,arighttoleftdiagonalstrikeintherightgripbecomesalefttorightstrikewhenusingaleftgrip).

Fromareadypositionandthetamboinarighthandyingrip,strike: 1.Diagonallyupwardfromrighttoleft(palmdown) 2.Diagonallyupwardfromlefttoright(palmup) 3.Horizontallyfromrighttoleft(palmdown) 4.Horizontallyfromlefttoright(palmup) 5.Diagonallydownwardfromrighttoleft 6.Diagonallydownwardfromlefttoright 7.Verticallyupward,throughcenterline (i.e.,throughopponent’snose,solarplexus,andgroin) 8.Verticallydownwardthroughcenterline (endwithtamboinfrontofyou,righthandatyourlefthip) 9.Horizontallylow(kneelevel)fromlefttoright(palmdown) 10.Horizontallyhigh(templelevel)fromrighttoleft(palmup) 11.Horizontallyhigh(templelevel)fromlefttoright(palmdown) 12.Horizontallylow(kneelevel)fromrighttoleft(palmup) 13.Jabbehindbyreinforcingthetamboalongyourforearmand slidingyourrightfootbackintoabackstance

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14.FlipthetambotoyanggripandstepforwardwithajabtosolarplexusLevelIII.Tambovs.TamboDisarms(2Brownstripes)Whenconfrontedwithanarmedopponent,itistoyouradvantagetodisarmhimattheearliestopportunity.TheFourRangesThrowingRangeYourlongestrangewiththetamboisactuallythrowingrange.Throwingyourweaponcancomeasabigsurprisetoyouropponent,givingyoutheopportunitytoclosethegapbetweenyouandneutralizehimbeforehecanrecover.Itcanbeagoodstrategyagainstalongerweaponorwhenyouhaveanextraweaponandcanaffordtoloseone.Throwyourtamboverticallytomaximizeyourchancesofhittingtheattackerandclosethegapimmediately,rushinginbehindyoursticktochecktheopponent'sweaponandendtheconfrontationwithanemptyhanddisarm.LongRangeCuongNhuencouragesyoutoattackyouropponent’shandswithyourowntambo.Youropponent’shandistheclosestpartoftheirbodytoyourweapon.Ahandstrikeusuallyrequireslesspoweranddoeslessbodilyharmtoyouropponentthanaheadorbodyshot.Movejustoutofrangeofyouropponent'sattackandstrikehishandtodisarm. MiddleRangeAnotheropportunitytodisarmyouropponentcomesimmediatelyfollowingablock,beforeyouropponentcanretracthisstrike.Thistakesgoodtimingandabasicunderstandingofhowtodisarmyouropponent.Tosetupadisarm,block“stick-to-stickandhand-to-hand,”interceptingyouropponent’sweaponwithyourown,andputtingyouremptyhandtoyouropponent’sweaponhand.Fromthere,quicklyslideyourhandandgrabyouropponent’sweapon.Formaximumcontrol,grabyouropponent’stamboclosetohishand.Fromthispositionthereareavarietyofdisarmstochoosefrom,buttheeasiestandmosteffectivedisarmsinvolvesimplygrabbingyouropponent’stamboandtwistingitsharply,breakinghisgripthroughthegapbetweenthethumbandforefinger.Youcouldalsostrikehishandwitheitherthebuttorthetipofyourtambotodisarmhim.Ifyoumissthedisarm,youcanfollowupbyflowingdirectlyintoahookingorsnakingdisarm.CloseRangeMoveintoblocktheopponent'sstrikeand,inonesmooth,fluidmotion,graspthefreeendofyourtambowithyourfreehandandslidealongtheopponent'sweapon,usingchungchi(forwardflowingenergy)todrivethemiddleofyourtambosharplyintohisweaponhandasyoudrivethebuttofthestickintohisface.Hookhisweaponhandwiththebuttendandtwistyourbodysharplytodisarmtheopponent.

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LevelIV.Tambo1andApplications(Brownbelt)

SingleTamboKataandApplicationsOSenseiNgoDongandGrandmasterQuynhNgocreatedthesingletambokata.Theyweredesignedtotakeyourtambotrainingtothenextlevel,addingnewstrikesandblocksandintroducingmorecomplexfootworkpatterns.Eachformshouldbepracticeduntilitcanbeperformedfluidly,precisely,andpowerfully.RefertotheCuongNhuTrainingmanualsforthespecificmovesofeachform.Onceyouhavethoroughlyfamiliarizedyourselfwiththeform,itistimetostartapplyingthemovestoactualopponents.Workwithyourdojomatestocreateasmoothandeffectivesetofapplicationstoeachkata.

Tambo1Stance Action 1. Natural stance (north) Attention stance Bow with tambo in right yang grip by right side Natural stance 2. Slide back into RCS (north) Roof block (right hand high) 3. Step into RFPS Left to right downward diagonal strike 4. Shuffle forward in RFPS (north) Right to left downward diagonal strike 5. Shuffle forward in RFPS (north) Left to right downward diagonal strike 6. Step 180°to RFPS (south) Right to left upward diagonal strike 7. Shuffle forward in RFPS (south) Left to right upward diagonal strike 8. Shuffle forward into RFS (south) Right yang grip thrust, left hand wu sao 9. Step forward to LSS (south) Block behind back, left hand yin grip 10. Shift to LFS (south) Left horizontal strike left to right (yin grip) 11. 180° right turtle stance (north) Left rising block (yin grip) 12. Step up to LSS (north) Left yin grip horizontal strike left to right 13. Shift to LFS (north) Left yin thrust to face (right hand reinforces left) 14. Maintain LFS (north) Bring tip of stick up, grab with right yang grip 15. 180° right turtle stance (south) Left to right low strike into right downward stab 16. Rise up to RFS Right upward vertical strike 17. Jump 180° counter clockwise, Downward figure 8 (right to left then left to right), land in RFS (north) finish figure 8 in right low block to right side 18. Step to left crescent stance Reinforced high block (tip of tambo on left arm) 19. Spin 360° clockwise into RFS Right vertical downward strike with butt of tambo 20. Step right foot back into LBS Flip tambo to yin grip, reinforced back thrust 21. Step into RFS (north) Flip tambo to right yang, R to L horizontal strike 22. Step right foot in front of left Circle tambo counter clockwise around head 23. Slide left foot into LCS (north) Right to left horizontal strike, left arm across chest 24. Slide right foot in RFS Horizontal strike forward from left to right 25. Lift left foot into kicking stance Pass over head into left yang grip, left low block to 26. Jump into left X stance (south) Left vertical downward strike, right hand reinforces 27. Pivot 180° to RCS (north) Right circular chop block, tambo blocking right side 28 Right front snap kick (north) Left horizontal strike right to left, right hand hikite 29. Rectangular stance (north) Two-handed downward block then upward block 30. Right foot attention stance Right hand switches to yin, downward butt strike 31. Maintain attention stance Release left hand and bring right arm to side, bow. 31. Natural stance Hold tambo low in right yang grip

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Tres-TresSingleTamboDrillTres-tresisaneskrimadrillthatwasadaptedfromSpanishfencing.Itteachessimpleblockingandstrikingtechniquesinalogicalsequenceofattackanddefense.Itisastepping-stonetothemorecomplexLouieTa-ta-tasdrill.Startdevelopingbasicfootworkandbodymovementbyshiftingbackonblockingtechniquesandforwardwhenyouattack.Yourfreehandshouldbecheckandcontrolyourpartner'sweaponhandwheneverpossible.

A:Downwarddiagonalstriketotheopponent'sleftknee(low) B:Leftsideinvertedblock,palmfacingout(low) B:Verticaldownwardabaniko(fan)striketorightshoulder(middle) A:Rightsidewingblock(middle) A:Verticaldownwardstriketopartner'shead(high) B:Roofblock(high) Reverserolesandrepeat.

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LevelV.Tambo2andApplications(2Blackstripes)Tambo2Stance Action1.Naturalstance(north)Attentionstance BowwithtamboinrighthandbyrightsideNaturalstance Holdtambohorizontallyinbothhands2.StepbackintoRBS(north) UpwarddiagonalstrikeRtoL,shortpause3.SlideforwardinRBS DownwarddiagonalstrikeLtoR,continue...4.SlideforwardinRBS Upwardverticalstrike,continue...5.SlideforwardinRBS Figureeight(RtoL,LtoR),continue...6.SlideforwardintoRFS Frontthrust,shortpause7.Stepintoleftlunge,lookbehindLowblock,righthandhigh8.ShiftintoRFS(south) diagonalupwardRtoL,thendownwardRtoL9.MaintainRFS(south) HorizontalstrikeLtoR(leftarmextended)10.StepforwardintoLFS Twohandedthrust(lefthandontop),continue...11.MaintainLFS Twohandedupwardverticalstrike,continue...12.Rfootintorightlungestance Twohandedroofblock,continue...13.Shiftweighttoright TwohandedhorizontalstrikeRtoL,continue...14.Rfoottonaturalstance(west)Lefthandslidestoendoftambo,shortpause15.StepintoLFPS(west) LeftyingripupwarddiagonalstrikeRtoL16.MaintainLFPS(west) Switchtorightyingrip,roofblock,continue...17.MaintainLFPS(west) Rightyindownwardfigureeight(RtoL,LtoR)18.MaintainLFPS(west) RighthorizontalyinstrikeRtoL,continue...19.SlidebackintoLBS(west) Rightyingripbackreinforcedthrust20.Turn180°intoRFS(east) Rightyingriplowblockthenrisingblock21.MaintainRFS Rightyingrippunchwithbuttendoftambo22.MaintainRFS Rightyinupwardverticalstrike,continue...23.DropleftkneeintoRTS(east) LowwidesweepLtoRintodownwardstrike24.SteptoleftintoLFS(north) Oarblock(lefthandgrabsmid-tambo),25.MaintainLFS(north) Leftmiddlegripfrontthrust26.Rightlungestance(north) Rightyangroofblockreinforcedonleftshoulder27.Shifttoleft DownwarddiagonalstrikeRtoL,continue...28.Rightupwardknee(north) Pullintokneekick29.Rightdiagonalstance(north) Twohandedverticaldownwardstrike30.ShiftintoRFS(north) Rightmiddlegrip,twisttambotoright(CW)31.SlideforwardinRFS(north) Twisttambobacktoleft(CCW)32.Shuffleforward Threefigureeightswithtamboinmiddlegrip33.Shufflebacktostartingplace Threefigureeightswithtamboinmiddlegrip34.RFS(north) Makelastpartoffigureeightafocusedstrike35.Rightfoottonaturalstance Bringtambotorightsideofbody36.Attentionstance Bow.Pulltambotorightyanggrip31.Naturalstance Holdtambohorizontallywithbothhands

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LouieTatata'sSingleTamboDrillAgooddrillfordemonstrations,LouieTatata'sisapartnerexerciseforpracticingblockingandstrikingtechniques.Withpracticeyourspeedandtimingwillimprove,andasyoubecomemorefamiliarwiththedrillyoucanswitchroles.Yourfreehandisyour“checking”handthatcontrolsthepartner'sweaponhandandprovidestheopportunityfordisarming(seeSingleTamboManual,Vol2).1. A:Downwarddiagonalstriketothepocketbetweenneckandshoulder B:Roofblock(high)

2. B:Horizontalstriketoopponent'sneck A:Leftsideverticalblock

3. A:Horizontalstriketoexposedribs B:Lowdownwarddeflection

4. B:Middlelevelthrusttosolarplexus A:Leftinvertedverticalsweepingblock

5. A:Buttstrike(punio)toface B:CatchA'swristwithapaksao

6. B:Verticaldownwardabaniko(fan)striketoopponent'shead A:Rightwingblock

7. A:GraspB'swristandpullarmdownwardasyoustriketoknee B:Retreatintocatstancewithdownwardstriketoknee

8. B:Strike/thrusttomidsection A:Fliphandintoleftsideinvertedblock

9. A:Rightverticalstriketoshoulder B:Rightwingblock,lefthandchecks

10. B:Lefttorighthorizontalstrike A:Rightsideverticalblock,lefthandchecks

11. A:Righttolefthorizontalstrike B:Ducks(bendatknees,notatwaist)

12. B:Rightlowdiagonalstrike A:Rightlowdiagonalblock

Repeatand/orreverseroles.

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TheTamboversusotherWeaponsIfyoueverneedtotrulydefendyourselfwiththetambo,itisunlikelythatyouwouldfaceanopponentwiththesameweaponasyou.Thebiggestdifferencebetweenweaponsisusuallytheireffectiverange,andtherearecertainstrategiesthatyoushouldbefamiliarwiththatcanhelpyoutocopeeffectivelywhenfacedwithalongerorshorterweapon.Tambovs.KnifeThetamboshouldprovideaveryeffectivedefenseagainstashorterweaponsuchasaknife.Targettheopponent'sweaponhandwithprecisestrikesusingthetipofyoursticktostrikehimatmaximumrange.Useyourfootworktokeeptheopponentatthatrangeanddonotlethimclosethegapbetweenyou.Youshouldbeabletoeffectadisarmwithasinglesolidstrike,butkeepyourstrikesshortandholdyourcenterlineintheeventthatyoumissyourinitialtarget,allowingyoutoquicklystrikeagain.Tambovs.BoWhenconfrontedwithalongerweapon,itisnaturaltofeelthatyouareatadisadvantage.However,thetambocanstillbeusedeffectivelyagainstlongerweaponssuchasthebo.Thekeytosuccessistoclosethegapbetweenyouusingkeenfootworkandsuperiorstrategy.Thisisbestaccomplishedbeforetheopponenthasonopportunitytolaunchanattackofhisown.Stayoutofrangeuntilyousensetherightmomenttoattack,butdon'twaittoolong!Youmustmoveinstinctivelyandwithgoodtimingtoavoidgettinghit.Asmostfightersarerighthanddominant,useyourtambotochecktherightsideofhisweaponasyouquicklystepin(remember,thisisaguidelineonly).Onceyouhavemadecontactwithhisbo,trytomaintaincohesion,“ridingup”theweapontotheopponent.Whenyouhavesuccessfullygotteninsideofyouropponent'seffectivestrikingrange,keephisweaponincheckbygrabbingitwithyourfreehandandrainstrikesdownonhishands,arms,andheadtoeffectadisarmandneutralizehim.Applicableconceptshereinclude“staticblockingwithmovement”and“throwingrange.”HookHookingistheactionofstrippingtheopponent’shandfromhisweaponusingthebuttofyourtambo.Youcanhooktheopponent’slefthandorrighthand,fromtheinsideortheoutside,andfromthetoporthebottom,totaling8differentpossiblehookingdisarms.Itismoreimportant,however,tounderstandtheprincipleofthehookingdisarmandbeabletoapplyitfromanyposition.LeverLeveringistheactionofusingtheopponent’sstaffasafulcrumtoprytheopponent’shandfromtheirweapon.Asinhooking,thereareatleast8basicwaystoapplythelever,butitismoreimportanttounderstandandbeabletoapplytheprinciple.

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PopPoppingistheactionofusingasharpforcetodislodgetheopponent’sstafffromhisgrip.Topopthestaff,youmustfirstbasetheopponent’sarm,thenstrikethestaffinadirectionthatwilleffectarelease,usuallyagainstthegapbetweenthethumbandforefinger.Itisalsopossibletobasetheopponent’sbobygrabbingitwithyourfreehandthenstrikingtheopponent’sarmtogetthesameresult.SparringwiththeTamboWhenwesparweusespeciallypaddedsticksandwearprotectivegear,aminimumofafencingmask,acup,andapairofheavyworkgloves.Foamsparringhandgearissatisfactory,butwasnotdesignedforthehandtobeholdingaweaponandsotendstoleavethethumbvulnerabletoinjury.Thefencingheadgearprotectsthefaceandhead.Sincetheweaponsarepadded,simpleworkglovesseemtobeenoughtowardoffthestingofanyhandblows.Whilewedowearaminimumofprotection,feelfreetoexperimentwithdifferentpads(forearms,elbows,knees,etc.)sothatYOUfeelsafeandprotected.Ohyeah,gentlemen…wearacup!KeepinmindthatthisisjustMOCKcombat,andthatnoamountofpaddingorprotectivegearcanmakeupforagoodtemperament,goodtechnique,andgoodcontrol.Thefactisthatinjuriescanoccurwheneveryouareengaginginactivitiesthatinvolvephysicalcontact,andevenmoresowhenfightingwithweapons.Rememberalwaysthatyouarenotouttoactuallyhurtyourpartner(atleastIshouldhopeyouarenot!),sodon’t!Discusshowhardofahityouareeachcomfortablewith,aswellasotherrulessuchas“nokicking”or“onlycontrolledtake-downs.”Startoutfightingslowlyandwithlittlepower.Suchfightingisgoodasbothamentalandphysicalwarm-up,aswellasanopportunitytofeeloutyouropponent.Afterafewmomentsyoucangraduallystepitupalittle,untilyouarefightingatanintensitylevelthatisagreeabletobothcombatants. Alwayskeepyourheadandneverloseyourcool.Takeyourweaponsandthefightseriously,alwayskeepinginyourmindthatifthesewererealweapons,asingleblow,evenjustashottothehand,coulddecideeverything.Trainingwithsuchamindsetwillimproveyourweaponsskillsmuchmorequicklythana“hitthemmorethantheyhitme”attitude.Rememberthatagooddefenseisessential.Trytoanticipatewhereyouropponentwillstrikeyouandthenblockormoveoutofrange,butrememberthatdefensealonewillnotwinafight.

Mostimportantly,trainhard,trainsafe,andhavefun!

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What,youstillwantmore?Okay,thentrytheseadditionaltambodrills:

Slideandtossthetambobackandforth,grabbingatthethreepositions (natural,reverse,andmiddlegrips). Flipthetambointotheairandcatchit,firstcatchingtheotherend(½rotation), thencatchingafter1,2,ormorerotations.Tryflippingitwith onehandandcatchingitwiththeother. Rollwiththetambo.Trypickingitupoffthegroundwitharollordiveroll. Practicefigure8'sandreversefigure8'swithnatural,reverse,andmiddlegrips. Usetambosinpunchingdrillsasyouwouldyourfists(inrectangularstance,etc.). Practiceblockingandstrikingwhilesittingorlyingonthefloor. Hanganoldtireorheavybagandpracticestrikinghardtoatarget. Tossatambotoapartner(playcatch),thentrytossingtwotambos,oneforeach hand,alternatelyorsimultaneously. Throwthetambotothefloorandcatchitonthebounce,thenaddstrikesafter catchingit. Spinthetamboonyourpalm(palmup,grab,turnpalmdownandstrike,repeat spinningandstrikingintheotherdirection(CWthenCCW). Practicepickingthetamboupwithyourfeet(rollitwiththeballofthefootup ontothetoesandthenflipitintoyourhand). Practicelockingandchokingtechniqueswiththetambo. ReadtheCuongNhuSingleTamboManual,Vol.1&2 byMastersJohnBurnsand MasterMikePonzio PZOPublications,1988and1991respectively.