Eskrima Class

Some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug. But it's always better if you're the windshield...

Just had to write about this. We had an awesome sparring session last night, with the minimal padding rule, and I just seemed to be “on”. I suddenly became aware of about 7 points in one shot, and corrected them in an instant and started fighting better. It was amazing, I could see my opponent’s intentions as he was applying them, as well as the counter. To anybody who trains Filipino Martial Arts, I have a message for you: Double stick drills are IMPORTANT, and if you learn how to fight with them they will be the catalyst that lets your other weapons transcend from simple drills to absolute realistic application in a fight.

The minimum padding rule is something I developed in response to the false sense of confidence you get from full padded stick sparring. Minimum padding is an Eskrima helmet and hockey gloves.

Nothing else.

This has a special purpose, it doesn’t encourage clashes and “point” scoring the way you see in most Eskrima tournaments. It imposes a harsher reality, making you pay for any lack of attention or over commitment in striking. The exposed forearms, elbows and knees can give you a REAL wakeup call as to how far over the line you really are in a fight.

Now don’t get me wrong, full padding has it’s place. I simply prefer the minimalist approach: If you miss a shot, you should pay for it.

Full padding, with the arms and legs completely protected, tends to lull the practitioner into a method of fighting that appears real superficially, but encourages habits that will get you killed without it. For instance, you don’t have to keep a good guard up, or have good targeting. You can leave your head exposed to get a leg shot in, and you won’t suffer a concussion for it. You can block with your empty hand, it’s not going to feel any pain, and don’t get me started on the head-on collision of forces that two fighters employ in a tournament. Gaaah!

Minimal padding puts a stop to that real quick. You are aware of your footwork or say goodbye to your toes. Becoming set in a pattern or leaving your hand in one place will earn you a broken metacarpal in a blink. If you overextend your arm, you pay for it. Several months ago one of my students cracked my weapon arm under the elbow with a TASTY reverse figure-8. All my fault, I got greedy with the head strikes and stepped in way past my recovery zone…which was what he wanted in the first place. I am just this month able to use it with full mobility again, after icing it down almost every night since May.

I don’t overextend my thrust anymore.

We’ve been sparring like this for a few years now, and the change in my school’s fighting has been eye-opening. In the hands of a good teacher, this approach can really bring out some interesting advancements in Eskrima technique, sometimes from places you wouldn’t expect. I used to hate double stick, now it’s my favorite weapon system. Because you now have to employ more strategic defenses and attacks, you evolve in your approach to technique. As I was saying, last night I figured a few of them out, and got hit maybe three times. Joel (my sparring partner) took some pretty hellish shots, almost a dozen.

Just so you know, Joel is a Cebuano Eskrimador with his own family system, and a natural fighter. He’s fast as hell, and scares people twice as big as him, usually bullies them across the floor. He’s no slouch, and not at all afraid of pain. I seriously want to get him and Mariah Moore in the same room & then evacuate the surrounding neighborhood.

This is an older video of Joel and I using the minimum rule. We are trying MOSTLY to hit the hand, although we go for head shots and legs as well. The video doesn't really do this style justice, but it's an okay example of the kind of training I am talking about. You can see what I mean about Joel's ability from this, though.