Sempok/Dempok

[Dr. Heineken]

Selamat All,
Let's see how we handle this one.

As I learned it:
Sempok - when the stepping foot crosses behind the planted foot.
Dempok - when the stepping foot crosses in front of the planted foot.

These are fairly commonly used steps, even in every day life. They can both be taken to extremes and wind up in full silohs, and can be used when goating and prepairing to engage. I can recall two techniques that were discussed in the "Tiga" thread, where a sempok and dempok could be used.

A dempok step with the right foot into "sambut 8"(shoulder throw). Or the same technique: sempok left foot behind to "sambut 8"(shoulder throw).

I have seen and done techniques and can say that a small dempok step can lead to a pretty powerful elbow. It is an effective way to move with an opponent, and then unwind with a lot of hip torque.
The sempok is useful in evasion type stepping. Not to say that it is strictly defensive in nature, but it covers a lot of ground quite quickly.

How does the Guru Plinck camp cover this area? BN Camp? VDT camp? Cimande camp?

How is it worked into solo training?

Thank you all in advance for your time.

Christopher

[SilatSeeker]

Just as importantly would be a discussion of when not to sempok/dempok. You are essentially crossing yourself - which in many cases would be bad ju-ju against an experienced fighter.

S&D make nice "sneak steps" to get closer for kick after bridging with hand from distance. Say you catch opponents hand - but are at a distance - dempok and kick. Builds momentum nicely. Conversely, if you are crowded during an attack, you can take a small sempok to create a little distance and come right back with a kick.

[Steve Perry]

Selamat All,
Let's see how we handle this one.

As I learned it:
Sempok - when the stepping foot crosses behind the planted foot.
Dempok - when the stepping foot crosses in front of the planted foot.

These are fairly commonly used steps, even in every day life. They can both be taken to extremes and wind up in full silohs, and can be used when goating and prepairing to engage. I can recall two techniques that were discussed in the "Tiga" thread, where a sempok and dempok could be used.

A dempok step with the right foot into "sambut 8"(shoulder throw). Or the same technique: sempok left foot behind to "sambut 8"(shoulder throw).

I have seen and done techniques and can say that a small dempok step can lead to a pretty powerful elbow. It is an effective way to move with an opponent, and then unwind with a lot of hip torque.
The sempok is useful in evasion type stepping. Not to say that it is strictly defensive in nature, but it covers a lot of ground quite quickly.

How does the Guru Plinck camp cover this area? BN Camp? VDT camp? Cimande camp?

How is it worked into solo training?

Thank you all in advance for your time.

Christopher

Useful for getting out of a low-slung car ...

We find he back cross-step works well not just for evasion, but for finishing certain techniques -- sometimes a turn against a push or hit is just the thing for guiding an attack.

The front cross-step is riskier against an opponent who is close -- offering a weak base. There are times when you can do this, especially if you are trying to draw an attack, maybe turn your defense into a quick beset using the side of the foot rather than the heel, but it is tricky to nail the timing.

Going to a full siloh and sitting on the ground in a match is more of an advanced technique (at least for me it is), but since you might be sitting when a problem arrives, it's good to know how to move from that position.
How to defend while on the ground, and how to get up or down in a hurry is sometimes necessary.

[bela diri]

hi guys

We use the dempok for attack by using the crossing over leg in front as a kick to hit or clear the way for entry. its bit of an open explanation but i have used it my self. We also use it to clamp with. We use the sempok in attack as a take down. In the seated posistion we train a kick from all directions. Also we practise using the sempok dempok against the shins/leg. we use them in defence to either jumping or stepping.

regards
bela diri :)

[tellner]

We use the dempok for attack by using the crossing over leg in front as a kick to hit or clear the way for entry. its bit of an open explanation but i have used it my self.

Sounds a little dangerous as described. You're crossed up and have to shift your weight pretty seriously if you have to move. And if it's the same cross-stepping side kick it sounds like, well, it's powerful but terribly slow. Maybe I'm just visualizing the wrong thing.

[Fireshadow]

Christopher,
Depok and sempok provide a multitude of skills. Solo practice improves core strength, knee stability, hip flexibility, and overall balance. When practicing solo it is important that we concentrate on shoulder alignment and posture. Posture is important because there are many ways to compensate by not having good posture,in which you will not receive the benefits of the drill. If you feel yourself rocking or "slumping" when you are in siloh you probably don't have good posture. I like to train my guys (and gals) in two modes: slow-motion and smooth with jumping movements. Slow-motion lets the practitioner refine balance and posture, while jumping out of the siloh position, develops explosive power.
In most silat systems, depok and sempok seem to be integral to the training and part of the flavor of those arts. If that is the case, it must be important to their training.?
When circling for combat, depok can be used to draw your opponent to attack. As several of the members said you present in a "crossed-up" position. Seemingly, you are vulnerable, but if you have balance, recognize the tools that are in front of you, and have developed some explosive power you should not be afraid to use this stepping pattern when circling. In front of you is the beset (depok and full), the side kick, inside crescent, all your hand tools, etc. You also have the crescent kick from the rear foot and foot changes. Train to activate these tools. You don't have to step big. If you are going to do this when you are close to an opponent you must have safeties in place or pressure on your opponent.
There are many specific instances to use depok/sempok, but as I said it is also important to practice it for the "flavor". Sometimes there are things you do just because you train, and you can't necessarily define them. BN says "those things which I do not see." Bart

[Monyet Nakal]

I've found that one of the best places to use depok is when you are in close and and are using certain techniques where you have your opponent tied up pretty good and would normally include a diagonal step out. Often if you use a depok instead of that step you can get a lot more torque and compression adding some damage to your technique.

[Orang Jawa]

I've found that one of the best places to use depok is when you are in close and and are using certain techniques where you have your opponent tied up pretty good and would normally include a diagonal step out. Often if you use a depok instead of that step you can get a lot more torque and compression adding some damage to your technique.

In old silat magazine that I read, page 1.
Another technique using sepok/depok is what we called slide and ride :)
Deflect with left hand follow with circular block with right hand at the same time step forward to 11 o'clock to depok. Finish with a sweep with left leg at the same time a reverse sword hand to the throat.
Worthless comment...

[bela diri]

Sounds a little dangerous as described. You're crossed up and have to shift your weight pretty seriously if you have to move. And if it's the same cross-stepping side kick it sounds like, well, it's powerful but terribly slow. Maybe I'm just visualizing the wrong thing.
hi tellner

The leg your lifting to cross into sempok is used as kick so its only the same as going into sempok so no weight change or direction shift.

[Pekir]

Hormat

We are probably a weird style but we almost never use sempok (at least if we are all talking about the same thing) We do use a lot of dempok. We prefer not to step back when attacked and the dempok (amongst others) is then used in order to close in, hook the front foot and take down the opponent whilst using other defensive hand, elbow or techniques.

This technique is not without risk because you indeed close in to your opponent. Therefor you need to fully understand what other options there are to get out if your timing is of or your opponent is just quicker than you are :)

Pekir

[Sgt_Major]

Sempok can be used to pull your opponent off balance, and into a returning elbow or headbutt.

[DragonSpawn]

Interesting, this sounds similar to the Vietnamese style of kung fu I practice. We don't call them "sempok" and "dempok" but we use both pretty often.

[Kiai Carita]

Christopher,
Depok and sempok provide a multitude of skills. Solo practice improves core strength, knee stability, hip flexibility, and overall balance. When practicing solo it is important that we concentrate on shoulder alignment and posture. Posture is important because there are many ways to compensate by not having good posture,in which you will not receive the benefits of the drill. If you feel yourself rocking or "slumping" when you are in siloh you probably don't have good posture. I like to train my guys (and gals) in two modes: slow-motion and smooth with jumping movements. Slow-motion lets the practitioner refine balance and posture, while jumping out of the siloh position, develops explosive power. Bart

Salaams to all,

What Bart says is more or less the same as I have been taught. The move, from sila-sempok-ngadheg-depok-sila-depok-ngadheg are essential in developing the circular energy (ngadheg- standing). It must be practised many-many times with concentration on all what Bart says about alignment and posture but also we must be waspada, allert but relaxed.

Wassalam,

Bram.