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Technique Breakdown

The 12 Angles of Attack: A Complete Breakdown

By allard.steve Published October 12, 2026 Category Technique Breakdown 1 min read

The 12 angles of attack give practitioners a complete mental map of how attacks arrive — from any weapon, any opponent, at any range. Once internalized, the system becomes automatic.

The 12 Angles

  1. Angle 1: Diagonal forehand — high to low, targeting left temple or neck
  2. Angle 2: Diagonal backhand — high to low, targeting right side
  3. Angle 3: Horizontal forehand — targeting left ribs or weapon arm
  4. Angle 4: Horizontal backhand — targeting right ribs
  5. Angle 5: Thrust to the face or chest
  6. Angle 6: Thrust to the stomach
  7. Angle 7: Diagonal forehand upward
  8. Angle 8: Diagonal backhand upward
  9. Angle 9: Horizontal forehand low — knee or leg
  10. Angle 10: Horizontal backhand low
  11. Angle 11: Forehand downward strike
  12. Angle 12: Backhand downward strike

The 12 angles are not just a striking map — they are a defense map. Every attack in Kali is met with a technique that addresses the angle of the attack, not the weapon delivering it.