The Black Panther System is one of the nine major animal systems practiced by in the Bando System. Ancient Burmese masters began studying and imitating panther movements hundreds of years ago and developed explosive and strong fighting techniques based upon the study of the Black Panther. An efficient fighting system is the result. Evasion is a major part of the system…footwork and stances provide the basis for evasion and explosive long-range attacks. There are low, medium and high stances…the panther fights from all levels…and close, medium and long-range attacks. A cat stance where most of the weight is on the stylist’s back leg, allows forward, backward and lateral movement. Springing backward, forward and laterally are parts of the evasive strategies for moving just beyond the enemy’s reach.

In Bando, once one achieves the rank of Black Belt, it is the time to select and to begin training in one of the nine major Bando animal Styles: Tiger, Panther, Cobra, Python, Viper, Scorpion, Eagle, Bull and Boar. Certain weapons, targets, techniques and fighting strategies as well as specific physical, mental and philosophical attributes characterize each of these animal styles. In choosing an animal style, one must insure that the requisite physical, mental and philosophical characteristics of the chosen animal style coincide with those of the practitioner. A common mistake is to choose an intellectually appealing animal style for which one may lack the potential to acquire the requisite characteristics.
Critical attributes of a successful Panther stylist are exceptional strength, speed, flexibility, stealth, stamina and adaptability.

The panther is the ultimate pragmatist…whatever is required to survive will be done. It exhibits supreme efficiency in its actions…it only uses techniques that promise the greatest chance of success. One of the methods the Panther uses to increase the likelihood of success is to use simple, powerful techniques in a unique way. Panthers in nature are infamous for appearing silently, unexpectedly and then disappearing so quickly and completely that people wonder if the panther was really there…if they are lucky enough to survive.

The panther is the epitome of adaptability. It must be able to operate in all environments, using stealth, skill and specialized knowledge to survive. The panther is the ultimate survivalist…certainly excellent survival skills are needed to be able to exist in all the different environments that the panther uses.

The three most important principles that define a panther’s approach to survival are safety, escape and deception. Safety is paramount for the panther…an injured panther may not be able to hunt and will starve…or it may become sick from the injury and be unable to defend itself from its enemies…or it may simply die from the injury. Escape and deception help the panther insure its safety.

Some animals, such as the tiger, will hunt not only for food but for sport – the tiger may kill for no apparent reason other than to simply kill. The panther kills to survive – either for food or in self-defense – it does not risk injury for the sake of sport.

Some animals when confronted will make a display to discourage further attack…this display may involve physical posturing, such as a King Cobra when it rears up to face a threat, or sound, such as the roar of a tiger that is startled. The panther is a silent killer…it does not want its prey to be aware of its presence…it attacks with speed and surprise.

Some animals employ a gradation of attacks against an enemy…the python may simply grasp its prey within its coils and hold it…or it may crush it. The cobra sometimes strikes prey with a closed mouth…injection of venom is not always part of an attack. For the panther there are only two choices…no attack or death.