| Escrima is a popular Filipino martial art dating back to | | | | techniques. The Rattan stick is the most common |
| the 1500s, during the colonization of the Philippine | | | | weapon used in Escrima training, which includes hand |
| Islands by the Spanish. Escrima is a very simplified but | | | | and head protection when sparring. Other weapons |
| practical form of combat technique originally designed | | | | include burned and hardened stick made of hardwood, |
| as a self-defense tool. Escrima is also known by many | | | | such as Molave or Kamagong (ebony). Modern |
| other names such as Eskrima, Arnis, Arnis de Mano, | | | | versions may be made out of aluminum, other metals, |
| Kali and FMA (Filipino Martial Art). Because of its | | | | or high-impact plastics. The Nunchaku (also known as |
| effectiveness, Escrima is also taught extensively in | | | | Kung Fu sticks or Double sticks) weapon was |
| many Special Forces including the Navy Seals and | | | | popularized by actor Bruce Lee, an avid practitioner of |
| Army Special Forces. | | | | Escrima. |
| Brief History: | | | | Each range - the distance between opponents - in |
| Many believe that Escrima or Filipino Martial Art | | | | Escrima has its own characteristics and footwork |
| originated from Chinese influenced Indonesian fighting | | | | techniques. Good footwork enables efficient control of |
| tactics such as Kun Tao, Chuan Fa and Tai Chi double | | | | these ranges. The footwork is demonstrated in terms |
| stick forms. Others believe the Escrima art form to be | | | | of triangles with two feet occupying two corners of |
| wholly developed by the Filipino people. However, the | | | | the triangle and the step to the third corner. The shape |
| most plausible explanation seems to be rooted in the | | | | and size of the triangle is dependant on the particular |
| history of the Spanish colonization. | | | | situation. |
| When the Spanish occupied the Philippine Islands, a | | | | Escrima Facts: |
| form of art similar to Escrima had already existed but | | | | 1. Escrima is mixture of hard (like Karate) and soft (like |
| was only recreational. However, this art began to | | | | Tai Chi Ch'uan) styles. |
| develop into a more martial discipline when the Spanish | | | | 2. Escrima is taught on ideal street-fighting settings |
| prohibited indigenous Filipino weapons such as the Bolo | | | | without the need for uniforms. |
| (machete), daggers and fighting sticks in the 1700s. It | | | | 3. Restraining techniques are not focused on but rather |
| remained a clandestine art until the Americans took | | | | on offensive, combat styles. |
| over in 1898. From then on, the Filipino Martial Art | | | | 4. There are no official rankings in Escrima except for |
| started to gain recognition and popularity. | | | | titles to recognize seniority of instructors. |
| In the West, Escrima was introduced and popularized | | | | 5. Most of the power in Escrima is derived from body |
| by Filipino immigrants after the Second World War, | | | | movement and economy of motion, rather than |
| particularly in the American states of Hawaii and | | | | strength. |
| California. | | | | 6. Escrima is a complete martial art, focusing on |
| Weapons and Footwork in Escrima: | | | | weaponry and empty-hand techniques. |
| Unlike other forms of martial arts, the primary tool to | | | | 7. Escrima provides effective training in sparring |
| learn the basic concepts of Escrima is focus on | | | | against multiple opponents. |
| weaponry, which is followed by empty-hand | | | | |