Buah pukulan

Applied silat, Silat beladiri or permainan buah pukulan (in malaysian silat jargon) is an exercise whereby silat steps is taken off the training floor and stress tested into what is perceivable to be a simulation real life. Jurus on their own are like scriptures; beautiful, structured, but still abstract. Applied silat is the interpretation of those movements when facing real attacks, real pressure, and real danger.

1. First, about function. Applied silat is not only punching and kicking, but the integration of footwork, stances, strikes, locks, and takedowns as live responses. For example, the same jurus step you practice in sequence can become a side evasion that puts you in the opponent’s blind spot, followed immediately by a sweep or counter strike. What was once just “form” becomes a working tool.

2. Second, about adaptation. In application training, silat techniques are tested against different types of attacks—straight punches, kicks, grappling, even weapons. A silat practitioner learns to convert jurus into spontaneous responses. For instance: facing a straight punch, you slip slightly off-line (elak sambut), catch the arm, then lock the joint or off-balance the attacker.

3. Third, about spirit. Applied silat today means standing alongside other combat disciplines, whether in modern sparring, street defense, or professional security. Yet it keeps its roots: the philosophy of silat stresses not just defeating, but controlling,neutralizing threats without unnecessary harm, and moving with wisdom. Spirit here does not always equate to spirituality, but a metaphor for a certain fighting mentality that aligns with the silat warrior mentality.  

"Buah pukulan" is a term more commonly associated with traditional beladiri (self defence) silat styles, This study focusing on the “how” and “why” of applications. In Indonesia it is commonly called “kaidah”, “Beladiri silat praktis” or “Silat applikasi”.  It literally means “strike technique” or “application.”

"Buah pukulan" refers to short, compact striking techniques in the sub category of the study of silat systems.

· Close-range interception with Body alignment for explosive burst

· Snap-back counterstrikes with Minimal telegraphing

· Direct breaking mechanics (sendi, saraf, urat)

· Takedowns

These attributes are highly suited for CQC, especially because:

· Economy of Motion : Perfect for tight spaces (hallways, elevators, inside vehicles).

· Simplicity and Repeatability : Stress-friendly. No fancy locks, just enter, destroy, exit.

· High-impact targeting : Ribs, neck, solar plexus, groin, knees. CQC gold standard.

· Built-in takedowns : Using "buang" or "kuncian" without needing grappling endurance.

· Verticality : You stay upright. Good for police/military or real-world defense.

Since “buah pukul” is culturally specific and often varies by lineage and style, it doesn’t fit into the formalized silat sport taxonomy under "PERSILAT" like :

· Jurus Wajib (forms/kesenian)

· Tanding (sparring/Olahraga)

· Jurus Ganda dan Massal (Pair and Team forms) 

Ironically in my experience, it is especially more taught in traditional silat schools than proclaimed “traditional perguruan” but still rooted in “competition-silat” standard which is a fatally flawed model.  “Buah pukul” or practical combat applications are often preserved more authentically in traditional or village-level silat schools compared to more prominent perguruan that market themselves as "traditional" yet rely heavily on modernized, sanitized, or sportified models. This paradox arises because the moment a perguruan is absorbed into modernity, federation  or formal sport competition, the curriculum becomes standardized, safety-focused, and ultimately detached from the perception of real-world violence self defence.

So in summary the deeper, more authentic layers of buah pukulan lessons (applied silat) often survive at the grassroots, while “federated” silat drifts toward formality and sportification. One set of expertise does not necessarily co-relate to the other

I seriously believe If silat teachers want to rectify this gap, there are three main duties,

• Stress-test under pressure: drills with intensity, timed constraints, and adrenaline to prepare the nervous system. Train scenarios: confined spaces, multiple attackers, weapons, modern contexts (hallways, cars, stairwells).
• Filter everything through silat’s own philosophy and ethics (for training safety). The downside of chasing after "realism" doing drills can sometimes lead some trainers to compromise safety. 
• Teach control as much as destruction. Applied silat is not about brutality alone, but about efficiency, restraint, and survival.

Do understand that I am not against Federated silat competion and it is not wrong to learn sports silat,. but as a propogator of Self-defence silat, I do feel that drill based self defence application under-appreciated. Perguruan should try re-instate back the applications training outside their "Sports Excellence" pursuit.