Cerada, Serada, Serrada, Cerrada, Sirado?
- John Russell
- Dec 13, 2014
- 2 min read
Serrada
Cerrada/o or Cerrar are Spanish terms and depending on the context, means: To Close, Is Closing, even Secretive or Concealed. With the fighting theory of Filipino Kali, Cerrada has evolved to the Filipino/U.S.American, Serrada and to the Bisayan term Sirado. They, in several different spellings, have come to mean, a closing, close quarters, a close in, or short range style of combat, that in our school, Evolve CQC, has a counter to counter basis. This basis then moves into the Sumbrada-Girada/Hirada Intermediate and Advanced training methods. Some other Serrada schools training methods are said to resemble a number of Quebec Drills.
Sulod – Gawas
Another way Quebec Serrada Kali has been described, is with the V/Bisayan terms of ‘Sulod/Gawas’. Their loose translation to English means ‘In and Out’. Quebec Serrada Kali’s counter to counter moves, are said to resemble the abstract theory of, in and out motion, used to teach and later, used to fight with.
The two physical aspects of this, in and out abstract theory for Quebec Serrada Kali are:
1: Quebec Kali’s constant hand motions. The hand/s are striking in and then pulling out to cover. This is done by the motions of the left and right hand alternately, of one hand in and the other hand out but all in a motioned grouping of fluid moves. This is executed whilst the opponent or training partner, counters the strike/s with a block/cover and counter strikes the opponents moves. All actions (for training), are being perpetually neutralised by each participant, with in and out, alternate hand movements. What is fed in, is nullified and countered, so the striker pulls their attacking hand back out to cover the counter strike, which itself is fed in, neutralised and then pulled back out.
2: Quebec Kali’s ‘In and Out’ mobile footwork. Not triangular stepping but simply feet a shoulder width apart, one forward and one back. Both feet able to take as many steps forward or backward as the fight dictates. Then this footwork in conjunction with either of these in/out body and feet movements allows a combination of being able to rush forwards in or backwards out, whilst the trainers are also simultaneously using it’s offensive/defensive, in-out hand actions.
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