The Platform: A Pathway to Deeper Understanding
The use of a platform in training has long been a defining yet often understated element in various styles of Indonesian martial arts. My first encounter with it came in 1978, when we were training Pukulan under Bapak Flohr. Back then, the platform was simple—a large square at the center of the training area. We practiced our Jurus on it, without any explanation. It was just there, and we accepted it as part of the training. No questions were asked.
Years later, when I began training with the de Vries family, the idea of the platform became much more structured. Every movement and form was explained in relation to it. Although we didn’t have a painted platform like today, Oom Jelle would place coasters on the floor to mark out the corners of a square or triangle. That was our “platform.” It helped guide our walks and forms, bringing direction and strategy into play. For me, it was a revelation—a bridge back to what I had experienced with Bapak Flohr, now made clearer and more systematic.
The real turning point came when I visited Oom Paul for the first time. In his garage, a full platform was painted on the floor—hidden under his car. It wasn’t for everyone to see. Yet the moment he moved the car and revealed it, everything clicked. I already knew how and why to move along specific lines, but the visual clarity of his platform transformed my understanding. It became a tool not only for training but for teaching.
“It helps you create the ideal position and line. But also, how to create the ideal movement to maintain the maximum result out of it.”
— Oom Paul
Table of Contents
The Origins of the Platform
The platform is often said to have roots in Serak. According to Oom Paul, it was Mas Jud who introduced the guardian hand, walking patterns, and langkah. If true, it would make sense to credit him with the creation of the platform. However, walking patterns are present in all West-Javanese styles, and Bapak Flohr—who never trained Serak—still used a platform. Its true origins remain ambiguous, hinting at a shared martial lineage rather than a single point of invention.
There are three main components to the platform:
- The large square in the middle
- The triangle at the top
- The small square at the bottom
While the central square is used for basic forms, the triangle and small square introduce crucial concepts like distance and timing. These outer elements prepare practitioners for the center platform—where strategy expands to include multiple opponents and directions. The platform isn’t just a floor diagram; it’s a three-dimensional training tool. It visualizes where to place your feet, how to align your shoulders, and how to maneuver your body for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
Secrets in the Garage
Oom Paul was notably cautious about revealing his Serak platform (Read the article about “The secret of teaching Serak” here). He never showed the complete platform in his Bukti Negara. Instead, he extracted and adapted stepping patterns from it. One story illustrates just how secretive he was:
In Oom Paul’s garage, his car would always be parked over the painted platform. When training began, he’d drive the car out, revealing the lines beneath. Then he would shut the garage door—despite the sweltering 30°C+ temperatures. The sole reason? To prevent anyone from outside seeing the platform.
This careful approach highlights how deeply personal and protected the platform was in his practice. It wasn’t just a training tool; it was a vessel of lineage and knowledge.
The Double Triangle: Base, Leverage, and Angle
One of Oom Paul’s unique contributions was the Double Triangle, a form he created to instill the principles of:
- Base: A solid and well-positioned stance
- Leverage: Creating opposing directional force
- Angle: Applying the correct angulation for maximum effect
The Double Triangle is formed by unfolding the small triangle at the bottom of the platform. It teaches the technical skills needed for flawless execution of sapu and beset—two essential finishing techniques. Through this form, you learn how to optimally position your feet and shoulders to manipulate your opponent’s balance and line of attack, bringing him to your shoulder line for efficient takedowns.
“Base, leverage and angle are key words. It forms an important foundation learning step-by-step why and how those three words are the key.”
— Oom Paul
From Visualization to Application
Training on the platform lines deepens your understanding of positioning—of your feet, shoulders, and even your hands. At the Naga Kuning Institute, we’ve printed the platform onto sailcloth to make it portable and usable across various drills. Whether you’re doing partner exercises like entries and sambuts, or individual work like seBpkdrills and Jurus, the platform guides every movement toward technical perfection.
“Perfect drills bring you to perfect techniques.”
— Oom Paul
Ultimately, the platform isn’t just a method of teaching or a spatial diagram. It’s a path toward mastering the art. It reveals the logic behind movement and offers a lens through which we can better understand our tradition and ourselves.
“The joy of learning is understanding.”
— Oom Paul the Thouars
Walter van den Broeke
Naga Kuning Institute
Direttore Tecnico e Presidente
