How to Learn Escrima
Asian cultures are rich in many forms and styles of martial arts and self-defense techniques. In the Philippines, one of the most well-known and well-developed forms of martial arts is arnis de mano, also called escrima. If you want to learn how to practice this unique and effective system of fighting skills, here are ways to get you started.
What is Escrima?
Escrima is a system in Filipino Martial Arts, or FMA. It is also known as kali or arnis. Escrima incorporates the use of sticks, swords, staves, and batons into an effective fighting and self-defense system. Escrima evolved as a self-defense system of common townsfolk, where sticks and farm tools were used to ward off enemies and invaders. The most important part of escrima is dueling or sparring between two opponents or students of the art.
The fighting style is very versatile and flexible to accommodate many new techniques and strategies. Escrima emphasizes flowing, effective movements with no wasted motion. The goal of escrima is to immobilize or neutralize the opponent with the most effective blows or strikes from a weapon possible.
Tools of Escrima
Escrima is a weapons-based fighting system, where weapons become extensions of the limbs and the body. Many weapons can be used with and incorporated into escrima. There are three essential weapons used in the martial art:
Baston refers to any stick that can be used for fighting and self-defense. A typical baston used in escrima is as long as a practicioner’s arm, to enable him or her to use it as an extension of his or her body. A practicioner of escrima typically wields two sticks, although some people are proficient with just one stick. Baston are usually made from rattan or bamboo, although ebony (kamagong)is often used for sticks used by experts.
Espada. Many techniques in escrima are similar to sword fighting and close-quarter combat with weapons. A wooden sword, called an espada, is often used in escrima as an accompaniment to a baston. The espada more closely resembles a knife or a dagger than a Western long-sword.
Sibat. For long-range combat, a staff called a sibat is incorporated into the escrima system. The versatility of the fighting system can accommodate any variant or length of a staff, whether it’s a bamboo cane or a long pipe.
Training in Escrima
Escrima is an adaptive system of fighting techniques; there’s no such thing as a single method to escrima. Many schools and dojos that offer FMA develop techniques from different fighting situations. Escrima is a system, which means that there are as many ways to effectively neutralize your opponent.
While there are similarities and conventions that are followed in escrima, the techniques are developed depending on the fighting philosophy of the master who develops it. Here are some of the common techniques used in escrima:
Strikes almost always involve the use of the weapons held by an escrima practicioner, but it may also involve offensive attacks like kicks and body-blocks.
Parries are used to negate the ability of the opponent to land a strike. Parrying and blocking strikes are almost always done with weapons.
Footwork is very important in escrima. Good footwork and movement improves leverage, as well as increases the speed or the power of a strike.
Learning a new martial art not only helps you in times that you need it, but also gives you a wider appreciation of other cultures. With the right training and knowledge of escrima, you’ll never be fighting with the short end of a stick ever again.