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Escrima Fighting


     The Escrima form and techniques listed here are based on a sword fighting style taught in the Philippines. The techniques described here are are described as if using short swords, but they can be practiced just as easily with sticks or other small objects.
     Escrima practice sticks can be made easily from a dowel rod. The thickness of the rod should be just the right width that you can wrap your thumb and index finger around the stick and grip the first knuckle of your index finger with your thumb. This is usually around an inch, but may be smaller if you have small hands. The length of the sticks should be about the length of your arm from your armpit to your wrist. The ends of the sticks can be rounded off with a sander to keep them from splintering or cutting. The sticks should be wrapped in some sort of tape -- electrical tape works well, but can be slippery in sweaty palms. Bicycle tape is more cloth-like and prevents slipping.
     Whether working with sticks or actual swords, it is important to remember the direction of the blade. When practicing the techniques below, be sure to cut with the blade instead of sweeping the flat side of the sword around. This can be difficult to practice with sticks. Just remember that the blade will be in the direction of the knuckles closest to the hand. If you have trouble remembering this, or if you aren't sure that you're doing it right, try marking your sticks with different colored tape on one side to represent the blade.


Stances and Basics for Escrimas
     Many of the common stances in Tae Kwon Do are used in the form described below. Crance stance is executed with the hanging foot wrapped around the back of the standing knee. Additional stances are listed below.
     Basics for escrimas are often similar to the concepts of Tae Kwon Do basics, but the escrima is used as an additional or extended limb. For example, an Escrima Low Block consists of sweeping the escrima down over the front leg, as the Tae Kwon Do Low Block, but the part meant to actually block a strike is the blade of the sword instead of the forearm. Additional basics are described below.
Kneeling Stance ~ House Block
Kneeling Stance:
The kneeling stance is often taken strikes that aim for someone lying on the ground, or a low portion of the body. Usually, this stance is only adopted for one step at a time.
How described: "Right Kneeling Stance" means a kneeling stance in which the right foot is forward and the left knee is on the ground.
Feet & Legs: The front foot is flat on the floor in front of the body. The rear knee is on the floor directly beneath the body, and the ball of the rear foot is on the floor behind the body. The front knee should be at about a right angle with the thigh parallel to the ground.
Body: Usually, hips and shoulders should be squared off to the front, not turned to an angle.
Weight: Weight is evenly distributed.
House Block:
The House Block is a high block protecting the head and neck. It is so named because the forearm and the escrima form a "roof" over the head. The stick is held at a right angle to the forearm, and the gripping hand is over the head. The blade points in the blocking direction.


Techniques
     Techniques are composed of a series of strikes or blocks executed by each hand. Usually, they involve moving the focus from one side of the body to the other, and they can be performed in reverse to end up in the starting position. These techniques can be practiced with a partner, facing each other and striking the escrimas together at each strike or block.

Technique 1: Check
Starting position: Start in a check position with both hands on the right hip. The left hand is palm down, with the left escrima sticking straight out behind the body (as though punching to the right across the hip). The right palm is toward the body, with the right escrima sticking straight up parallel to the body.
Strike 1: Strike with the left escrima blade toward the middle of the body. This can be low, middle or high, as desired. End this strike by bringing the left hand to the left hip, palm in, with the left escrima sticking straight up parallel to the body.
Strike 2: Strike with the right escrima blade toward the middle of the body. This can be low or middle, but a high strike is awkward. End this strike by sweeping the right escrima all the way around the left side of the body so that the right hand is palm down on the left hip with the right escrima sticking straight out behind the body (as though punching to the left across the hip).
Ending position: The ending position should be a mirror of the starting position.
Reverse: Perform the same motions, but with the opposite hands.

Technique 2: Sinewali
Starting position: Start in a check position with both hands on the right hip. The left hand is palm down, with the left escrima sticking straight out behind the body (as though punching to the right across the hip). The right palm is toward the body, with the right escrima sticking straight up parallel to the body.
Strike 1: Strike with the right escrima blade toward the middle of the body. This can be high, middle or low, but all three strikes should be to the same level. After striking, return the hand and escrima to the starting position (hand palm in on hip, escrima sticking straight up parallel to the body).
Strike 2: Strike with the left escrima blade toward the middle of the body. The height should be the same as the first strike. Finish by bringing the left hand to the left hip, palm in, with the left escrima sticking straight up parallel to the body.
Strike 3: Strike with the right escrima blade toward the middle of the body. The height should be the same as the first and second strikes. Finish by sweeping the right escrima all the way around the left side of the body so that the right hand is palm down on the left hip with the right escrima sticking straight out behind the body (as though punching to the left across the hip).
Ending position: The ending position should be a mirror of the starting position.
Reverse: Perform the same motions, but with the opposite hands.

Technique 3: Unnamed
Starting position: Start in a check position with both hands on the right hip. The left hand is palm down, with the left escrima sticking straight out behind the body (as though punching to the right across the hip). The right palm is toward the body, with the right escrima sticking straight up parallel to the body.
Strike 1: Strike with the right escrima blade toward the middle of the body. This is a high strike. Finish by bringing the hand back to the right hip with the escrima sticking straight up parallel to the body (where it started).
Strike 2: Strike with the left escrima blade toward the middle of the body. This is a low strike. Finish by bringing the left hand to the left hip with the escrima sticking straight up parallel to the body.
Strike 3: Strike with the right escrima blade toward the middle of the body. This is a high strike. Finish by sweeping the right escrima all the way around the left side of the body so that the right hand is palm down on the left hip (as though punching to the left across the hip) with the right escrima sticking straight out behind the body.
Ending position: The ending position should be a mirror of the starting position.
Reverse: Perform the same motions, but with the opposite hands.


Si Yow

  1. Bow Feet together, escrima blade-flats resting on forearms, bow.
  2. Show weapons Step with right foot into ready position, double low block with escrimas, ending with the tips forming a 90° angle in front of the knees.
  3. Ready Position Bring right foot back to left into attention stance. Bring escrimas back up in front of body, pointed straight up. Right hand is in front of left hand which is in front of the solar plexus. The right blade is pointing to the left corner and the left blade is pointing at the right corner.
  4. Reverse Front Stance Double Block Step back with the right foot and pivot hips to the right into left reverse front stance. Low block over the left leg with the left escrima. House block with the right escrima over the head, with the right escrima perfectly lined up with the left escrima.
  5. Turning Double Slash Pivot to the left into left front stance. As you turn, sweep inward with both blades, ending with the right arm tucked over the left, the right escrima sticking straight out behind the left side of the body and the left escrima sticking straight out behind the right side of the body.
  6. Sinewali Start with "Strike 2" of the sinewali. All strikes should be low. Proceed through Strikes 2 and 3, on the right side, then perform Strikes 1, 2 and 3 in reverse (a.k.a.: on the left side). Finish by performing Strike 1 on the right side.
  7. Reverse Front Stance Double Block Pivot to the right into left reverse front stance. Low block over the left leg with the left escrima. House block with the right escrima over the head, with the right escrima perfectly lined up with the left escrima.
  8. Three Cuts Pivot to the left again into left front stance. Sweep the left escrima blade across (low or middle) so that it ends with the left hand on the right hip and the left escrima sticking straight out behind the body. As the pivot ends, cut high from right to left with the right escrima. Withdraw and circle the right escrima over the head and cut inward from left to right with the right escrima. Circle the escrima back directly over the head and cut forward and downward with the right escrima. All three cuts should be at head or neck level.
  9. Withdraw, Kick, Double Stab Pull the left foot back into left walking stance. Pull both hands to their respective hips with escrimas pointing straight out to the front of the body. Front kick with the right foot and set it down in right front stance. As the step finishes, stab straight forward at chest level with both escrimas.
  10. Withdraw, Scissor Block Pull both hands to their respective hips with escrimas pointing straight out to the front of the body. Thrust them forward again, but, this time, cross them in an X at neck level, blades in (like a pair of scissors).
  11. Double Block Lift the left leg into right crane stance (remember to wrap the left foot around behind the right knee). Low block with the left escrima to the left side. House block with the right escrima so that the blade is aimed to the left side (lined up with the left escrima).
  12. Check to left Step to the left into right back stance -- you should now be facing 90° to the left of the direction you were facing when you started the form. Perform strikes 1 and 2 of the Check technique.
  13. Check to right Briefly lift the right foot into left crane stance, then step out 90° to the right into left back stance facing the direction in which you started. Perform the reverse of the Check technique.
  14. Turning High Cut Start a 270° turn by bringing the left foot to the right of the right foot. In the transition of the turn, pause at 90° to the left in left back stance, and cut high and inward with the right escrima.
  15. Turning Check Finish with the remaining 180° into right back stance and perform the Check technique. You should now be facing 90° to the left of the direction you were facing when you started.
  16. Check to right Briefly lift the right foot into left crane stance, then step out 90° to the right into left back stance facing the opposite direction from the starting direction. Perform the reverse of the Check technique.
  17. Double Upward Cut Step forward into a long left tiger stance. Bring both escrimas from low on the right side and cut upward lined up with the left leg, left escrima to shoulder height, right escrima below it. Blades should be up.
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