1. GENERAL  PRINCIPLES AND EXERCISES

The student must learn to deliver the basic twelve strikes and the variations. These consist of slashing strikes, hammer blows, thrusts, horizontal and flicking or fan blows (paypay or abanico).  The latter is used more for exercise or distraction rather than as a power strike.  It is also used in ruses (lansis). Regardless, if you are hit by any strike, it will sting. In doing these exercises, power, balance and accuracy is emphasized.

1. SHADOW FIGHTING
   The student must practice delivery of strikes and thrusts with proper footwork in forward and backward motion. One way to practice in delivery of blows is by hanging a string or small rope and tying a knot at the end of the rope. Practice hitting the knot from various angles and at different heights. In the Philippines, where vegetation is lush, we would pick the tip of a particular leaf and practice hitting just the tip of that leaf from different directions or practice abrupt stops.
   

2. POWER STRIKES
   Power blows are the result of a combination of proper weight shift, hip twist, shoulder and forearm with wrist action creating torque with the fullest speed at the point of impact.  The stick is held firmly but not tight. A tight grip loses power from forearm tension. The stick must be at 90-degree angle with the arm. The wrist should not be limp and bent. The greatest ripping power is at the tip of the stick. It will tear off the flesh. There is a “sweet spot” on the stick when delivering the blow for power strikes. The best impact point will be about from three inches below the tip to about eight to inches from that point above the middle of the stick. Strike through the target for maximum power as you would do in block breaking. A good power strike obtains maximum impact on contact. A good power strike will end the fight abruptly. Work on it!

3. BLADED WEAPON CONCEPT
   To hit with power, it is important to think of the stick as a machete. After all, the machete is substituted today with the eskrima stick as a training tool for machete fighting. Imagine that you are slashing with the blade hitting at the point of contact. The blade of the imagined machete would be in line with the second digit of your gripping fingers.  Regardless of the direction of the blow, the same rule applies, whether the strike is downward upward or sideways. It must be remembered that the stick was used as a training tool for the bolo, sundang or pinute’, machete duels. Upon closer analysis, it has been discovered that it was indeed the power strike. At the end of the strike, it must however be observed that the striker must roll or pronate the wrist; otherwise, it will cause great strain and eventual damage on the wrist and elbow and even induce permanent injury. Thus in delivering strike number 1, it is a palm up to palm down delivery. Correspondingly, a number 2 strike starts with a palm down start and ends up with the palm-up.
   EXCEPTION: When the strike is a flick (abanico or paypay), or in case of a thrust. Most Balintawak practitioners do not use abanico as a power strike since it is easy to block although this has been demonstrated as an effective tool in ruses. With correct technique and practice, it can in fact be a powerful strike.

4. BERADA or PULL BACK
   In striking, do not pull back or swing the stick back before delivery of the blow. If you must pull back for power, do it before initiating the strike. Pulling back telegraphs your move, and you lose valuable split second time in the delivery of the blow. This split second time means a lot in the hands of an expert.  Obtain torque and power from the legs, hip, shoulder, forearm and wrist. Some exercise moves for loosening up, does this. This is precisely why the Balintawak masters were vehemently against the amara that will be discussed in a later segment.
   

5. RETRACTING THE STICK
   Another basic principle in delivering a strike is to retract the stick immediately after the strike. In other words, do not extend your hand, stick or any part of your body to be within reach or control by your opponent. This principle is followed in bare hand combat and knife fighting. Never allow any part of your body or weapon to be controlled by your opponent. An expert Balintawak practitioner can easily capture an opponent’s stick upon contact, thus the need to immediately retract your weapon.
   

6. AMARA  STYLE
   It is the fancy stick twirling including the flicking, whipping, fan blows (paypay or abanico). It looks fancy, circuitous and actually exhausting. It is also the signature move of old style and ornate eskrima that still find currency in some styles. This would be equivalent to the rococo style if this were an art.  It is ornate and fancy but adds little to its utility. It was used as an intimidation dance that exhausted the wielder. Balintawak eskrimadors are not impressed or intimidated. Balintawak moves are practical, economical and effective. The idea is to conserve your energy for the battle. The Balintawak masters were not too excited about it and ridiculed it. As an exercise, it may have its merits but even then, it may lead to tennis elbow and other arthritic pains.  The best argument for it is that it also sells seminars and video tapes, thus it find adherents. I have noticed that among US students, they love the stick twirling for demonstrations. Who can argue against that? As we have learned in grade school science, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.  This also applies in eskrima. Thus, avoid the circuitous amara. For your education, information and FOR ACADEMIC DISCUSSION, however, it goes in the following manner:

   a. Horizontal fan blow or flicking blows repeated five times.
   b. Horizontal blow as in number three, then drop hit to the floor followed with a dagger thrust from left to right and then from right to left.
   c. Diagonal fan blows similar motions as in (a).
   d. Twirl snap down, twirl snap up
   e. Double sticks

   1)  Strikes from the same side - left and right.
   2)  Strikes from opposite sides, one arm higher and one arm lower.
   3)  Vertical up and down parallel blows alternating.
   4)  Diagonal up and down parallel blows from both left and right alternating.
   5)  X or V strikes crossing in front of you with repeated.
   6)  Circular diagonal fanlike movements with your right hand on your right and your left hand on your left.
   7)  Figure of eight with dagger on t he left hand - Strike with a slashing number 1 strike, then a slashing number 2 strike:
   a)  Repeat the procedure above
   b)  Repeat strike number 1, and then number 3

   f. Hit the floor in a down motion and then a perpendicular strike upwards in a stabbing motion to the groin followed with a dagger thrust.

This is purely for academic discussion. Balintawak purists will never be caught doing these jazz; they have a visceral dislike for these moves. As I have suggested earlier, some younger masters in their effort to promote the art have adapted this elaborate moves in promoting their videos and seminars. For exercise and warm up, I will concede to its use. It can develop fluidity and grace of motion.

SAFETY CAUTION:  During practice and drills, thrusts to the eyes and even to the nipple are aimed outside the body area for safety to avoid injury. Safety cannot be over emphasized in practice and drill sessions. This warning will be repeated from time to time to warn of possible injury. An accidental thrust to the eyes can cause severe injury and even blindness and a thrust to the throat can be fatal.