| As a martial-arts writer, people ask my opinion on | | | | techniques translates directly into empty-hand |
| this martial art or that martial art. On more than | | | | fighting. This really is an interesting thought: you |
| one occasional, I have been asked if Filipino stick | | | | practice similar patterns; you discover ways to |
| fighting was practical. | | | | transfer the skills from one to the other ... which |
| My first response is usually to ask, "Practical for | | | | in itself is a valuable skill. |
| what?" | | | | Still, there are probably more efficient ways to |
| If you plan on having fighting sticks with you | | | | learn empty-hand self defense. If you want to |
| wherever you go, then yes, it's very practical. It | | | | learn hand-to-hand fighting, then find a style the |
| makes perfect sense to train stick fighting, if you | | | | focuses on empty-hand techniques. |
| intend to carry a stick or two with you. | | | | Note: Here's a similar example -- one way to build |
| Warning: Filipino sticks can be deemed lethal, even | | | | your chi sao (rolling, sticking hands training) is by |
| though they are "just sticks." In a court of law, | | | | swimming. Still, if you really want to improve at |
| carrying one under your coat might be | | | | chi sao, its much more efficient to practice chi |
| determined to be a concealed weapon. | | | | sao than to swim. It's the actual application; |
| Knowing how to fight with a stick is probably a | | | | swimming just works similar muscles. |
| good idea, also, if you work in a pool hall. You'll find | | | | Should you study a stick-fighting style? |
| lots of cue sticks in racks, and maybe even | | | | Answer: Do you have a use for that particular |
| strewn across tables. | | | | martial skill? |
| Umbrella As a Weapon | | | | Stick Fighting Benefits |
| Can your skills be transferred to an umbrella? | | | | Stick fighting "is" excellent at teaching students to |
| Maybe. At least some of them can -- but you | | | | move their hands both in concert and |
| might break your umbrella. So, make sure you | | | | independently of each other. |
| limit your actual umbrella striking to real self | | | | It also offers great coordination-building patterns. |
| defense. You and your partner don't want to | | | | And the pattern variations force you to develop |
| destroy a "pair of parasols while practicing." ;-) | | | | skill in adapting and changing the routine. |
| Filipino Empty-Hand Fighting | | | | Finally, you learn some interesting angles for |
| Of course, if you ask any escrimador, he or she | | | | martial application. They are tighter lines than |
| would be the first to claim that all of the stick | | | | many are accustomed to taking. |