"Pattern drills," I have heard it said, "exist to be smashed."

That may be so, but pattern drills also serve a very useful function, provided one understands their purpose and their place.  Pattern drills help develop dexterity and flow while developing muscle memory for certain strikes.  One does not train a single pattern drill to the exclusion of all else, but working through a variety of them definitely helps ingrain the mechanics of effective fighting.  That is, it helps if the mechanics are practiced properly.  Only perfect practice makes perfect, as my Wing Chun instructor is fond of quoting.

The following "Seventeen Angles" are a Kali pattern, the components of which will be familiar to anyone who has studied Filipino Martial Arts (FMA).  This particular pattern was taught by Sifu Eric Winfree to Sifu Anthony Iglesias of the Syracuse Wing Chun Academy (where I learned it).  Any variations not in keeping with Sifu Winfree's teaching are purely my own, so I accept both responsibility and blame.  (In some cases, the exact targeting of the knife strikes illustrated is slightly adjusted to accomodate camera angles, so be sure to consult the accompanying descriptions.)

WARNING! Knife training is inherently dangerous.  The staff and publisher of The Martialist are not responsible for any injury that occurs during such training.  Use a safe, dull TRAINING KNIFE only in learning and practicing any pattern drill.

The drill is presented from a right-hand perspective, so mirror the presentation for left-handed use.  This drill can be and is practiced both with escrima and with knives.  Obviously, certain moves are exaggerated when used with sticks (or machetes), while the entire set becomes tighter when a knife is used.  When done properly, the entire pattern flows back and forth and from above to below (and back again) on the body.  (Thrusts are retracted when necessary to rechamber for the next thrust in sequence.)  Text descriptions are from the viewpoint of the knife-wielder, while photos are obviously of that same knife-wielder facing the camera.

Basic 17-Angle Kali Drill

	ANGLE 01 This is a standard diagonal slash across the torso, starting at the shoulder and traveling down and to your left across the body.
	ANGLE 02 This is the backhand counterpart to Angle 01, traveling from your left to your right.
	ANGLE 03 This is a horizontal cut across the body about mid-torso level, from your right to your left.
	ANGLE 04 This is the return horizontal cut across the body about mid-torso level, from your left to your right.
	ANGLE 05 This is a straight thrust to the stomach or abdomen (shown a bit high here).
	ANGLE 06 This is a backhanded thrust at eye level on your left side.
	ANGLE 07 This is the return eye-level thrust on your right side.
	ANGLE 08 This is a cut straight down from shoulder to waist level on the torso, on your right side.  Assuming a right-handed opponent, this is the side of his body that has no weapon.
	ANGLE 09 This is a diagonal strike like Angle 01, but low across the leg.  It moves from your right to your left.
	ANGLE 10 This is the return low diagonal strike, corresponding to the backhand Angle 02.  It moves from your left to your right.
	ANGLE 11 We move up the body again with Angle 11, which travels from your right to your left diagonally upward across the torso.
	ANGLE 12 Looping back and dropping back to waist level, the blade travels backhand diagonally across the torso from waist to shoulder level, from your left to your right.
	ANGLE 13 This is a horizontal cut at neck level, from your right to your left.
	ANGLE 14 This is the return horizontal cut at neck level, from your left to your right.
	ANGLE 15 (Beginning) This strike starts from an overhand position to attack from above, straight down at head level...
	ANGLE 15 (Ending) ...and ends as it is angled out the eye at (obviously) eye level on your right side.
	ANGLE 16 (Beginning) Angle 16 begins with a maneuver more appropriate to escrima, as the off hand meets the weapon hand as it is drawn back and slightly above the head in a protective gesture.  (With a stick, this forms a shield for the head.)
	ANGLE 16 (Ending) The angle then becomes a reinforced cut powered down the centerline of the body.
	ANGLE 17 This is a simple angled thrust to the abdomen, ideally on your right side.  It's a very natural "pig-sticking" move.

In practicing the drill, students learn to execute a forward or backward step with each angle.  Angles 05, 06, and 07 are done while stationary, as are angles 15, 16, and 17.

This pattern is relatively easy to learn.  Those familiar with FMA ought to be able to pick it up in a single session.

Train safely with appropriate gear and under the supervision of an instructor when necessary.