Silat Pertempuran Masukan

There are several different categories of Masukan. They include: Kaki, Tangan, Lutut, Siku, and Sepak methods. Through the implementation of these entries, a pesilat has the ability to not only "find" their current location in relationship to the attack and the adversary, but also through the study of the rest of the system components they can use this Combat Positioning System as a method to more easily find the "destination" or the end the conflict.

Often the term Masukan is used to differentiate between the specific application of a movement to "bridge the gap" or "enter" into an opponents space versus the general use of a movement without application. To clarify, the term Masukan Kaki refers to the act of entering the opponent's space by the use of a step. A step or stepping pattern is often referred to as Langkah. For sure, the steps involved in the Masukan Kaki could be considered Langkah. However, these steps are specific and purposefully created to be used as methods of entry into an opponents space and are thereby given the title of Masukan Kaki.

Masukan Kaki

As with most things in Pencak Silat Pertemuran, there are eight primary and 12 total Masukan Kaki. The eight entries are designed to give the practitioner a sense of location in relationship to an adversary. They also acknowledge the primary possibilities of leg positions in that relationship.

Initially practice should be performed against an adversary who steps forward with the right foot only. Later, practice the same entries against an adversary who steps forward with their left foot also. In addition, when beginning to train in Masukan, initially you should practice your Ales and add the Masukan onto it. In other words, your Ales are the beginning movements to the Masukan. Eventually when you are more comfortable the emphasis on Ales disappears and the Ales almost become transparent or invisible.
[Excerpt from An Indo-Malay Martial Art: Pencak Silat Pertempuran Volume 1]

Masukan Tangan

In Combat Silat the Masukan Tangan do not focus on a specific counter attacking tool such as a back fist, rather, the tool itself is an option or variable that is determined by the pesilat depending on the outcome desired. For example, if a person attacks with a straight punch to my stomach I may choose from several different strikes. I may choose a Hammer Fist, Back Fist, Cobra Head, Knife Hand, Palm Heel, etc. Further, depending on what blow I choose, will determine the path that should be used for greatest efficiency and power delivery. Of course, whatever is chosen as the attack, determines the path of the counter, which determines the necessary timing and ultimately the outcome.

The Masukan Tangan besides being the hand entries of the system ultimately lead to most of the other facets of the system and should be trained diligently. The eight primary hand entries should initially be trained against a right straight punch delivered either high or low. The first four would be delivered low and the last four would be delivered high. Secondly, start by applying the Ales first and then adding the Masukan Tangan to it. Later make the Ales disappear slightly and eventually add the Masukan Kaki in. All number one Ales and entries should correspond at this point. For example, my partner might strike at my stomach with a right straight punch. I decide to perform Ales Satu (Evasion One) then I immediately perform Masukan Tangan Satu (Hand Entry One) and follow it with my Masukan Kaki Satu (Leg Entry One). This is the beginning of one chain. There are eight primary chains in Combat Silat.
[Excerpt from An Indo-Malay Martial Art: Pencak Silat Pertempuran Volume 1]

Masukan Lutut

As with the Elbow Entries, the Knee Entries of Combat Silat or Masukan Lutut are designed to teach the student how to enter with the knees secondarily, but primarily they begin to teach the necessity for having a close range arsenal and targeting… for after the entry process. In addition, they begin to introduce the idea of destructions and disruptions.
[Excerpt from An Indo-Malay Martial Art: Pencak Silat Pertempuran Volume 1]

Masukan Siku

The elbow entries of Combat Silat or Masukan Siku are designed to teach the student how to enter with the elbows secondarily, but primarily they begin to teach the necessity for having a close range arsenal… for after the entry process. In addition, they begin to introduce the idea of destructions on attacking limbs.

The Masukan Siku follow the same pattern of entries for Masukan Tangan and are easily learned. However, the value of the Siku should not be overlooked. Sometimes the need for entering is not necessary, if the adversary enters through his or her own attacks. At this point, you may actually use the elbows as "shields" versus "spears" to use an analogy. In so doing, you not only effectively "shield" yourself from incoming "spears", but you also damage the "spears" and eventually pass beyond the "weapons" to become the "weapon bearer".
[Excerpt from An Indo-Malay Martial Art: Pencak Silat Pertempuran Volume 1]

Masukan Sepak

The Masukan Sepak or Kicking Entries of Combat Silat are designed to allow you a longer range starting point for an entry. They are used as a method to control and disrupt the base of an attacker and to enter while doing so.

They are not typically thought of as being an end in and of themselves but the beginning of further "entering" to finish what has been started though these kicks are potentially dangerous to the knee joint and can cause permanent structural damage to the knee.
[Excerpt from An Indo-Malay Martial Art: Pencak Silat Pertempuran Volume 1]