Eskrima

Eskrima (also known as Kali or Arnis) is the national martial art and sport of the Philippines - a weapons-based fighting system built around sticks, knives and bladed weapons, with sophisticated empty-hand techniques derived from the same principles. One of the few martial arts in the world that teaches weapons before empty hands, Eskrima operates on the principle that all techniques - whether with a stick, a knife, or bare hands - share the same fundamental movements. Fast, practical and devastatingly effective, Filipino martial arts have become a staple of military and law enforcement training worldwide and a core component of reality-based self-defence systems.

Pre-Colonial Filipino Warrior Culture

Filipino martial arts predate recorded history, rooted in the warrior culture of the Philippine archipelago's indigenous peoples. When Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines in 1521, he was killed in the Battle of Mactan by Lapu-Lapu and his warriors - who defeated armoured Spanish soldiers using Eskrima techniques. This is the earliest recorded instance of Filipino martial arts defeating a European military force, and Lapu-Lapu is celebrated as a national hero to this day.

During the Spanish colonial period (1565-1898), the colonial authorities attempted to ban Eskrima, recognising it as a tool of resistance. Filipino practitioners preserved the art by embedding techniques into traditional dances (Sayaw) and folk performances - a survival strategy remarkably similar to Capoeira's use of dance in Brazil.

The Three Names - Eskrima, Kali, Arnis

The art is known by three names across the Philippines, reflecting its regional diversity. Arnis is the term used in Luzon (northern Philippines) and is the official name in Philippine law. Eskrima (from the Spanish esgrima, meaning fencing) is the term used in the Visayas (central Philippines). Kali is used in Mindanao (southern Philippines) and is the term most commonly used internationally, particularly in the United States. All three refer to the same fundamental art, though regional styles vary considerably in emphasis and technique.

The Weapons-First Principle

Eskrima's defining pedagogical principle is weapons-first training. Students learn to fight with a single stick (solo baston), double sticks (doble baston / sinawali), stick and dagger (espada y daga), and knife before progressing to empty-hand techniques. The logic is practical: in real combat, weapons are the primary threat, and all empty-hand techniques are derived from weapons movements anyway. A competent Eskrimador has the same motor patterns whether holding a stick, a knife, or nothing at all.

Global Influence - Military, LEO and MMA

Eskrima has been adopted by military and law enforcement organisations worldwide for its practical weapons and disarming techniques. The US Army's Modern Army Combatives Program incorporates FMA knife and stick elements. The FBI, DEA and numerous police forces train Eskrima-derived stick and knife techniques. In MMA, coaches like Xtreme Couture's Robert Ferguson have introduced FMA striking concepts to top-level fighters, and the influence of Eskrima's broken-rhythm striking is visible in elite MMA standup game.

Training in Eskrima

Eskrima training typically begins with the 12 angles of attack - a universal striking pattern that forms the foundation of all offensive and defensive work. Students learn: single stick (solo baston), double stick flow drills (sinawali), stick and dagger combinations (espada y daga), knife fighting (daga), and empty-hand applications (mano mano). Sparring uses padded rattan sticks and protective gear including helmet, gloves and body armour.

The alive, flow-drill approach of Eskrima training - particularly the sinawali double-stick patterns - develops extraordinary hand speed, coordination and ambidexterity. Many boxing and MMA coaches incorporate Eskrima stick drills into their athletes' training specifically for these benefits.

Eskrima Gear Guide

Rattan sticks: The standard training and competition weapon - typically 28 inches long, made from rattan cane which absorbs impact and splinters rather than shatters. Rattan sticks are replaced regularly as they wear. Diameter varies by preference and school (typically 3/4 to 1 inch).

Padded sticks / Arnis sticks: Foam-padded sticks for beginners and light contact sparring. Allow technique development without the impact risk of rattan.

Helmet / head guard: Full-face protection essential for stick sparring. Fencing-style helmets with mesh face guards are standard in WEKAF competition. Hockey helmets are a common alternative.

Gloves: Heavy padded gloves or lacrosse-style gloves protecting hands and wrists from stick strikes. Hand and wrist protection is critical - hand targeting is a primary Eskrima strategy.

Body armour: Chest and forearm protection for full-contact sparring and competition. Fencing jacket or dedicated Eskrima body armour.

Training knife (daga): Rubber or wooden training knife for dagger and knife work. Aluminium training knives ("alives") used by more experienced practitioners for realistic edge and point awareness.