Self Defense Moves – What Is Jurus Silat?

One of the self defense moves that help many silat exponents to master Silat is known as Jurus Silat. Based on Malaysian dictionary (Kamus Dewan), jurus silat means repetition, continuation or moving towards specific direction. This word is used in silat to explain the movements of silat either attacking, defensive or counter-attack towards any aimed target. It also explained the movement of silat which means one should ‘sambut’ (avoid, block or catch) first followed by counter attack towards the target or enemy.

In order to master this skill, any silat exponent can train jurus in single movement (tunggal) or repetitions (berulang). It also can be trained either in one direction (one straight line) or multiple directions combining with difference level of surface or also known as ‘aras’. The movements of jurus silat in every level of silat curriculum are based from the movements of Bunga Silat. Here are the seven self defense moves that exist in jurus:

1. Tumbuk or punch (e.g. Straight punch or ‘tumbuk terus’)

2. Tendang or kick (e.g. Front kick or ‘tendang terus’)

3. Sepak or roundhouses kick (e.g. 180 degree roundhouse kick or lengkar)

4. Sangga or blocking (e.g. inside arm block or ‘hambat dalam’)

5. Depak or side kick (e.g. Side kick using outside feet or ‘pepisau’)

6. Kacip or crossing (e.g. used to block or catch either with up or down)

7. Terajang or trampling under foot

Jurus silat expand the skills of self defense either in defensive or attacking positions. For examples, training variety hand strike techniques such as rejam (straight punch), sauk (uppercut), rejuk (palm strike), ceduk (straight-short punch) and many others can develop silat exponent martial arts techniques in close contact fight. While, training variety kicks such as tendang (front kick), sepak (roundhouse kick), depak (side kick), terajang (tramp kick) and melutut (knee strike) can develop speed, flexibility and accuracy of kicks particularly in silat competition.

Every silat exponent will upgrade their jurus or self defense movements every time they moved to higher level until black belt. In black belt level, the students will need to combine all the 6 levels syllabus of jurus discipline to create continues movement of silat performance known as Solo. The maturity of silat exponent’s moves and fluidity of performing silat skills in solo will show to the silat guru the level of development they achieved in silat training. The ability of mastering self defense moves increased once the students can develop their own silat jurus without any help from their guru.

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