What are the 12 angles of attack ( also known as 12 strikes ) ?
The twelve strikes/angles are common to most FMA styles. They are the basic strikes or direction of strikes covering all angles of attack. Most styles use basically the same numbering system with slight variation. The point is to learn how to dissect and classify the strikes and develop methods of defense and offense using these 12 angles. At an advanced level the student should learn the similarities of the these 12 angles and further simplify classification and responses to their attacks. The first five angles are common to many of the styles. There is usually one set of numbers used for defensive angles and offensive strikes. These numbers are based on attacks with the right hand only. As an example …. A backhand strike with the right hand would be a number two strike coming in at angle #2 ( therefore 2 at 2 ). If the same attack is done with the left hand the strike is still a number two however it is at angle #1( therefore 2 at 1 ).
