CFWSILAT Harimau Pose Tutorial
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Harimau·Conditioning Fighting Warrior
Head Instructor Stewart Francis Demonstrating many possibilities using just one of many postures in Pencak Silat
Harimau
SubFamilyハリマウ(Harimau)
descriptiveTranslation: tiger (Pencak Silat ground-based fighting stance)
Overview
Harimau (Tiger) is a ground-based fighting style and stance system within Pencak Silat, the martial art of Indonesia and Malaysia. [1] The practitioner fights from an extremely low position — often on the ground with one or both hands touching the floor — mimicking the crouching, pouncing movements of a tiger. [1] Harimau techniques include low sweeps, takedowns, and strikes delivered from ground level, as well as rapid transitions between ground and standing positions. [1] It is one of the most distinctive fighting systems in Southeast Asian martial arts, designed for uneven terrain and multiple-opponent scenarios. [1]
Tiger StyleHarimau SilatSilat HarimauPencak Silat Tiger Style
History & Origin
Harimau originates from the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, Indonesia. [1] It is one of the oldest and most recognizable styles within the Pencak Silat family. The tiger imagery reflects the Minangkabau cultural reverence for the Sumatran tiger, and the ground-fighting approach was developed for the mountainous terrain of West Sumatra where standing fights were impractical. [1]
Effectiveness
Highly effective in unstructured combat scenarios, especially on uneven ground where standing fighters lose balance. [1] The low position makes the Harimau practitioner difficult to strike while their sweeps and takedowns target the standing opponent's vulnerable base. Less effective in regulated sport fighting where rules favor standing exchanges. [1]
Lineage
Pencak Silat lineage: indigenous fighting systems of the Malay Archipelago — transmitted through regional aliran (styles) and guru (masters) across Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and the southern Philippines. Minangkabau lineage for Harimau style from West Sumatra. [1]
Competition Record
Used in IPSF Pencak Silat tanding (match) competition. Pencak Silat was featured as a medal sport at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Regional Silat tournaments are held across Southeast Asia. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Fighting from an extremely low crouch or ground position — using the ground for stability and sweeps
Joints Involved — Deep hip and knee flexion (low stance), hands on ground (support), legs (sweeps and takedowns)
Force Vector — Low-to-high attacks — sweeps from ground level, pouncing attacks upward
Position & Entry
From standing — Drop to a low crouch with one or both hands on the ground, legs coiled for sweeping
Transition from standing fight — Drop level suddenly to avoid a high attack and launch a low sweep
Variants
Harimau depan — forward-facing tiger stance
Harimau duduk — sitting tiger position
Harimau loncat — leaping tiger attack
Harimau berguling — rolling tiger (ground transitions)
Videos
Pentjak Silat: Harimau Techniques
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Harimau·Sakan Lam
Learn Silat at Home Through My New Online Course! https://members.corecombatchiangmaionline.com/courses/solo-silat-at-ho…
Ruthless Silat Blinding Techniques for Knife Fighting (Harimau)
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Harimau·Total Urban Survival
#knifefighting #silat #harimau These are some of the most ruthless Silat techniques for Knife Fighting coming from the …
Silat Harimau technique
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Harimau·Malay Combat Systems
Filipino Entry to counter the Jab/Cross, striking the tricep or hyperextension of the elbow; transition to Pencak Silat …
SILAT PERISAI DIRI - HARIMAU (TIGER) TECHNIQUE TRAINING
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Harimau·Southside Academy of Combat - Silat PD
Training the harimau technique in training can prove to be very taxing as its characteristics is strong and wild in its …
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5 videosWhat Instructors Say
Harimau (tiger) is a foundational stance and movement pattern in Pentjak Silat that serves multiple applications across empty-hand, bladed, and self-defense contexts. According to Conditioning Fighting Warrior, the harimau pose begins from a grounded position with the elbow leading the movement while simultaneously rotating the hip and foot, extending one leg while maintaining a straight back before returning to neutral—a drill that coordinates ankle, hip, and shoulder joints. Total Urban Survival emphasizes the functional application of harimau-derived techniques in bladed combat, demonstrating how the flowing, aesthetic movements conceal direct offensive actions: cuts and slashes executed with surprise and intensity, combined with secondary hand positioning for blade retention or follow-up strikes. The stance facilitates rapid directional changes and evasion, particularly useful in multi-opponent scenarios or low-light conditions. Sakan Lam focuses on grappling applications emerging from harimau positioning, showing arm-bar variations, head control, and leverage techniques that exploit opposite-lever mechanics for effective submissions. While Conditioning Fighting Warrior and Total Urban Survival emphasize the stance's mobility and striking efficiency, Sakan Lam demonstrates its utility as a base for ground-fighting transitions. The instructors collectively present harimau as a versatile foundational posture that generates power, conceals intent, and transitions fluidly between striking, cutting, and grappling ranges.
Synthesized from 4 instructors
- Conditioning Fighting Warrior — CFWSILAT Harimau Pose Tutorial: Detailed the foundational harimau pose mechanics: elbow-led rotation coordinating hip and foot movement, leg extension with straight back, and joint engagement (ankle, hip). Also noted self-defense applications including shoulder-based takedowns and kick transitions.
- Total Urban Survival — Ruthless Silat Blinding Techniques for Knife Fighting (Harimau): Demonstrated harimau applications in bladed combat: hidden blade positioning, crossing cuts to the vision/face, secondary hand coverage, and multi-directional cutting sequences. Emphasized surprise and violence as functional principles underlying the technique's effectiveness.
- Sakan Lam — Pentjak Silat: Harimau Techniques: Focused on grappling transitions from harimau: arm-bar variations, head control and smashing mechanics, opposite-lever principles for arm control, and ground-fighting positioning with heel and chin placement.
- Southside Academy of Combat - Silat PD — SILAT PERISAI DIRI - HARIMAU (TIGER) TECHNIQUE TRAINING: Provided visual demonstration of harimau technique training (transcript unavailable for specific content detail).
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
5
High5/10
Sweeps and takedowns can cause impact injuries, but the style emphasizes control.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
IPSF— Restricted in some point categories — ground time limits ...
Legal
IPSF Pencak Silat— match
Unified MMA— ground fighting and low stances permitted
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFTraining Notes
✓Build leg strength and flexibility for deep crouching positions
✓Practice ground-to-standing transitions until they are fluid and fast
✓Harimau sweeps target the ankles and knees of standing opponents
✓The hands on the ground provide balance AND can strike
✓Train on uneven surfaces to develop the adaptability Harimau requires
Common Mistakes
!Staying on the ground too long — the low position is vulnerable to kicks
!Not transitioning between levels — Harimau requires constant movement
!Poor ground contact — the hands must be active, not just resting
!Ignoring multiple opponents — Harimau was designed for multiple-attacker scenarios
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Opponent attacks high → drop to Harimau → sweep their front leg
2Evade a kick by dropping low → Harimau sweep from the ground
3Close distance → drop level → tiger pounce takedown
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Weapons and Fighting Arts of Indonesia.
1BookThe Weapons and Fighting Arts of Indonesia.
[1] The Weapons and Fighting Arts of Indonesia, Pencak Silat chapter
2CitationThe Weapons and Fighting Arts of Indonesia.
[1] The Weapons and Fighting Arts of Indonesia, Pencak Silat chapter
Community
Athletics
Requires
exceptional leg strength and flexibility, ground mobility, balance in low positions
Key muscles
quadriceps, hip flexors, core, forearms (ground support)
Notes
Harimau (Tiger) is a ground-based fighting style within Pencak Silat originating from the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, Indonesia. The practitioner fights from an extremely low position mimicking tiger movements — one of the most distinctive fighting systems in Southeast Asian martial arts. Draeger's Weapons and Fighting Arts of Indonesia documents Silat ground-fighting traditions. (Draeger, Weapons and Fighting Arts of Indonesia; de Bordes, Pukulan Pencak Silat)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I conceal the blade when using Harimau knife techniques?
Hide the blade from your opponent's view before deploying it, then move to the side and execute cuts and slashes from a concealed position. This prevents telegraphing your attack.
What do I do if I want to disarm an opponent's knife in Harimau?
You can punch to create an opening, then use your hand to strip or remove the blade away from the opponent, either by opening your hand or taking control at the end of their arm.
How does footwork protect me from a straight knife attack?
Shimmy or move to the side as the knife comes in toward vulnerable areas like the leg, pelvis, or stomach, while maintaining a tight grip to control the engagement.
How does the Harimau work?
Harimau (Tiger) is a ground-based fighting style and stance system within Pencak Silat, the martial art of Indonesia and Malaysia. The practitioner fights from an extremely low position — often on the ground with one or both hands touching the floor — mimicking the crouching, pouncing movements of a tiger.
Where does the Harimau come from?
Harimau originates from the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is one of the oldest and most recognizable styles within the Pencak Silat family.
Is the Harimau legal in competition?
IPSF Pencak Silat: Legal: legal — traditional technique in tanding (match) division; Unified MMA: Legal: legal — ground fighting and low stances permitted; IPSF: Restricted in some point categories: restricted — ground time limits may apply
How dangerous is the Harimau?
Danger rating 5/10. Moderate — sweeps and takedowns can cause impact injuries, but the style emphasizes control.
How do I set up the Harimau?
The standard setup chain: Opponent attacks high → drop to Harimau → sweep their front leg → Evade a kick by dropping low → Harimau sweep from the ground → Close distance → drop level → tiger pounce takedown.
How do I defend against the Harimau?
Standard counters include: Maintain distance — Harimau needs close range for sweeps / Kick to the body — target the exposed torso in the low position / Move laterally — don't stand directly in front of the sweep range.
What are the variants of the Harimau?
Common variants: Harimau depan (forward-facing tiger stance); Harimau duduk (sitting tiger position); Harimau loncat (leaping tiger attack); Harimau berguling (rolling tiger (ground transitions)).
How effective is the Harimau in competition?
Used in IPSF Pencak Silat tanding (match) competition. Pencak Silat was featured as a medal sport at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
What are common mistakes when doing the Harimau?
Top errors to watch for: Staying on the ground too long — the low position is vulnerable to kicks / Not transitioning between levels — Harimau requires constant movement / Poor ground contact — the hands must be active, not just resting / Ignoring multiple opponents — Harimau was designed for multiple-attacker scenarios.
What are other names for the Harimau?
The Harimau is also known as Harimau, Tiger Style, Harimau Silat, Silat Harimau, Pencak Silat Tiger Style.