Fight by concept
Understand distance, timing, angle and pressure so you can solve a changing problem instead of searching for a memorised answer.
Philosophy & history
A living martial art—built to keep learning
Kali Self Defence was created as a learning arena: a place to test ideas, connect ranges and develop people who can think, adapt and act under pressure.
Photo: Kjell Martin Wiestad
Why it exists
Not a fixed collection of techniques
Kali Self Defence grew from a simple question: how can knowledge from different martial traditions become practical, connected and relevant without being trapped by style boundaries?
The system draws its core movement and weapon understanding from Kali, Arnis, Eskrima and Silat, while Richard Haye’s experience in Karate, Muay Thai Boran, Krav Maga and Jiu Jitsu helped shape the way those ideas are tested across striking, clinch, grappling and ground survival.
It is not designed to replace another martial art. It gives instructors and practitioners transferable concepts that can strengthen what they already train.
“Kali Self Defence is your Jeet Kune Do.” Richard S. Bustillo to Richard Haye
The ideas behind the training
Principles that travel across ranges
Offense over defense
Create initiative, interrupt the threat and improve your position. The principle is trained with judgment and appropriate control.
Feed your mind. Protect your body.
Physical skill and personal development belong together. Training should build awareness, resilience and the willingness to keep learning.
How concepts become practical
See the line. Change the angle. Control what can strike.
Angles give practitioners a shared map for recognising attacks and responses. Cross-lines, offline and online movement, limb control and high-frequency threats are trained as connected problems rather than isolated demonstrations.
Weapon training makes distance, timing and consequence unmistakable. That understanding feeds directly back into empty-hand movement, striking, clinch work and survival under pressure.
- One movement language across sticks, blades and empty hands
- Concepts that adapt to different ranges and levels of experience
- Progressive pressure testing with responsibility and control
The birth of the system
Built through decades of study, testing and reflection
The foundation
Richard Haye began Karate in Kristiansand. Structure, discipline and strong fundamentals became the first layer of his martial arts path.
A new direction
A camp in Mandal with Johan Skålberg and Jeff Espinous introduced Richard to Filipino martial arts and a more fluid relationship between weapons and empty hands.
A learning arena
Richard founded Kristiansand Kampsport Club as a place to explore ideas across styles and ranges without imposing unnecessary limits.
Richard S. Bustillo
Richard became Bustillo’s student. Bustillo encouraged an individual, adaptable path and later approved the Kali Self Defence curriculum.
Founder & Punong Guro
Jeff Espinous recognised Richard as Founder and Punong Guro of Kali Self Defence and promoted him to 8th Dan.
The work continues
KSD remains a living system. Instructors and practitioners are expected to question, test, refine and take responsibility for its development.
The symbol
A reminder to look inward
Jeff Espinous designed the original Kali Self Defence triangle after conversations with Richard about the system’s values, vision and philosophy.
The triangle represents a strong foundation, balance and continued growth. The inward arrow points towards the most important opponent and the most important responsibility: yourself.
Hansei—honest self-reflection—is therefore not separate from the training. It is how practitioners recognise weakness, learn from experience and continue to develop without being blinded by rank.
A living martial art
Independent thinkers—not followers
A living art cannot depend on unquestioned repetition. Coaches have a responsibility to improve how they teach. Practitioners have a responsibility to ask useful questions, test their understanding and remain willing to learn.
The aim is not to make every person move identically. It is to give them strong principles, an honest training process and enough understanding to make sound decisions for themselves.
Continue exploring
See how the philosophy becomes training
Explore the connected training areas, or read more about the founder and the teachers who shaped Kali Self Defence.