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A Filipino martial art that focuses on armed combat with a stick, a sword, or a machete, eskrima is characterized by its battle-proven techniques. It is also known as “escrima,” “kali”-particularly in the United States and Europe-and “amis de mano” (meaning “harness of the hand” in Spanish).

Although many eskrima schools can trace their lineage back to different tribes and regions of the Philippines, little is known of the art’s origins because it was passed on in an oral tradition. Some people suggest it was influenced by early Indian and Malay martial arts, as well as by silat from the Malay Archipelago. What is known, however, is that the Spanish conquistadors, after arriving in the Philippines in the 16th century, engaged in skirmishes with tribesmen who used indigenous weapons and techniques.

Order out of chaos

During the country’s conflict-wrought history, martial arts developed into highly efficient systems, and recent systemization of the arts has enabled them to be passed on to students in an easily absorbable curriculum. The art is also taught to Filipino military organizations.

Eskrima has many different forms and most emphasize weapons-based training followed by empty-hand movements. The stick is the most common weapon. Students initially train with a padded stick and also a slightly thicker wooden training stick. Then they train with a rattan cane, which is about 2 ft (0.6 m) in length and which has been fire-hardened and varnished; employed swiftly, it can easily crack a coconut with a flick of the wrist. Students also train with blades-the most common weapon employed in street crime in the Philippines.

Keeping it simple

Eskrima is taught en masse and in a simplified manner. Flashy and spectacular movements are often refined during sparring matches, in which practitioners wear padded body armor, helmets, and hand mitts. However, while simplicity is favored for teaching purposes, the system also has a deeper and more complex methodology that can take decades to master.

Experienced practitioners can fight with either weapons or with empty hands. The system uses any method that might work in a fight, and includes hand and foot strikes, some grappling and throwing moves, biting, and gouging. Practitioners may also include gouging, punching, throwing, or shoving when using weapons.

Common training techniques include the use of the solo stick, double stick, sword and stick, or stick and dagger (known as “espada y daga”). Some systems specialize in other weapons, such as the whip, staff, and a projectile-based weapon that resembles a 9 in (23 cm) nail. It is common to see the latter being thrown into bamboo trees as a way of developing accuracy. When used in combat it is unlikely to kill, but it will distract an opponent long enough to either escape or to draw another weapon.

Diverse beginnings

Eskrima is practiced as a sport in some parts of the Philippines, although there is little standardization of rules. Traditional practitioners claim the set of rules promoted by the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation-in which practitioners fight according to a 10-point system-tends to overemphasize offensive techniques rather than deflective and defensive ones.

Critics also point out the disorganized appearance of the fights, with participants bashing each other as quickly as they can with a stick, as opposed to applying good, solid techniques.

Varying techniques

In combat, a player must study his body alignment in relation to his opponent and ensure that the tip of the weapon strikes vulnerable spots of an opponent’s body. In competition, however, points are more likely to be awarded for reasonably effective touches.

Weapons are considered to be an extension of the body, and footwork generally follows a triangular pattern. Thus, when a participant moves in any direction, his two feet always occupy the two corners of an imaginary triangle on the floor. If he steps forward, he steps onto the triangle’s imaginary third corner so that no leg ever crosses the other at any time. This ensures a degree of stability and allows the player to use good leverage in his techniques and throw physical force from the ground into his hand or weapon.

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The dojo or training hall is the place where judo is practiced and where the judo player is introduced to the sport and taught mat etiquette and safety procedures. The tatami or mat is a vital piece of equipment because of the very nature of the sport. Ideally the mat should be on a sprung surface, as this considerably reduces the kinetic energy created by the impact of falling.

Judo is a combat sport involving close bodily contact so discipline and hygiene are important considerations. The judogi should be washed after every training session, the finger-nails and toe-nails should be clipped regularly and kept short to prevent the risk of injury and feet should be kept clean and, if necessary, washed before practice. A pair of zori, or slippers, or flip-flops should be worn when walking from the changing rooms to the dojo to avoid transferring dirt and germs to the mat. If hair is long it should be tied back and female competitors must wear a T-shirt under the judogi. All jewellery, chains, rings and such like must be removed before practising.

In randori the prohibited actions should be clearly understood. Kicking, punching, hair-pulling, biting or indeed any action likely to cause injury to an opponent are all unacceptable on a judo mat. Foul language and displays of bad temper are also unacceptable. Judo has an excellent reputation for sportsmanship and continues to fulfil Kano’s ideal of mutual respect and mutual benefit in a competitive framework.The motto of Gunji Koizumi, who founded the Budokwai in 1918, was ‘In skill opposed, in spirit united’, which expresses the ideal rather succinctly. Practice fighting should never become personal. There is nothing wrong with fighting spirit and aggression in a judo context, but it must be tempered with control and care for training partners. Of course, sometimes accidents happen or less skilful players prove to be clumsy, heads clash, shins are kicked when a foot sweep is mistimed, but such mishaps ought never to become an excuse for bullying. Anger has to be controlled. The hot-headed individual is his own worst enemy and can generally be easily provoked by a cunning opponent into making the kind of mistakes that can lose a contest.

The sensei, judo teacher or instructor, has the job of making sure these things are communicated to and understood by all beginners and new members of a judo club. Higher grades should guide and look after lower grades and all grades should behave in a mutually respectful way. Where beginners are concerned it is helpful for the sensei or instructor to have a few experienced players on the mat to help disseminate the information and teach these principles by example.

One of the procedures which helps to provide a framework of courtesy and discipline in which to train is the bow or salutation. Before and after each practice and each time they change partners within a practice players bow to one another. The bow or rei is also used to begin and end actual contests. This simple act is of immense value, since it allows both players to show mutual respect and appreciation for one another and clearly defines the beginning and the end of the combat situation.

On the mat the sensei’s word is law. It is truly important that there are senseis in judo and that they receive the respect they deserve. Particularly at area or national squad level, the players must not be allowed to run the mat. They do not as a rule have the maturity, the experience or the objectivity necessary to do so. Individuals’ perceptions of their strengths, weaknesses, abilities and needs are quite often far from accurate; the sensei, who will inevitably have many years of experience, is a much better judge of what they really