Abaniko is a great style to learn for scenarios where your back is against an obstruction or hazard. Uncle Leo used to tell us it was good for fighting up against a wall or car or other barrier. It's important to remember that "Abaniko" translates as Fan. This is both a metaphor and a practical application. With the Abaniko techniques, we use the side of the blade to redirect and propel the opponent's weapon off the attack line. It takes precise timing and accurate placement of the weapon to…

We certainly enjoyed the unseasonable weather this past weekend and got out to do more advanced training. Thanks Janelle and Patt for putting in the hard work and taking a few knocks. Trust me, they delivered a few too.

Saturday's lesson centered around elliptical striking and blocking and the way it helps cut down intervals of time. By applying the principal of ellipses to our work, we bring round movements closer to straight lines and therefore cut down t…

Estilo Macabebe is one of the 20 styles in the Giron system of Escrima. Uncle Leo explained that the name derived from the Macabebe tribe who were known for their double weapon fighting style. It is practiced with two similar length weapons and incorporates both Kob Kob and Sinawali techniques (more about those later). On the surface, defending yourself with two weapons rather than one seems a no brainer. More is better, right? But, the reality is much more complicated than the theory. Most…

I wanted to have a brief chat about style. One thing I have learned over the years is that each player has their own style; distinct, individual, unique. Yet, how does that square with the need for conformity and consistency in curriculum? I have to teach the same technique to a wide range of individuals. Does that mean that I have to change the technique for each student or is it the student who needs to change? My Dad was a strict Biology professor. His opinion was that it was the…