Here are some basic stick fighting techniques for self-defense. It covers stance, stepping, strikes, and defense.

There are many stick fighting styles from around the world. This stick fighting training is a mixture of Filipino stick fighting forms.

I use the terms Kali, Escrima, and Filipino stick fighting interchangeably in this article. They all mean the same thing - fighting with a stick.

When Escrima fighting with a stick the first thing to learn is correct stance. It is one of the most important stick fighting basics.

When stationary stand with your feet a bit wider than shoulder width apart.

Hold the stick in your strongest hand and have your strong side as your lead. The bottom of your weapon extends between 1 and 2 inches below your little finger.

Unless striking or blocking, hold your stick over your shoulder. Your hand is near your ear on the same side and the tip of your weapon points to your rear. Doing this will:

Now you have a good kali stick fighting stance, you can learn to move.

The "spring semi-forward stepping" is a good stick fighting technique to close distance.

Your back heel is up. This turns your calf muscle into a double spring. One behind your knee and one at your heel. When you release these springs, it projects your whole body forward.

Step a small step forward with your lead foot and use your rear foot to take up the original position of your lead.

The next thing to learn in this stick fighting tutorial are basic stick strikes.

When practicing self taught stick fighting you want to stick to the basics. Here are the single stick elementary strikes.

The best strike in stick fighting by far is the "king strike". In Filipino stick fighting drills this is the number 7 strike and is a one of the most important stick fighting lessons

The number 7 strike comes straight down between your eyes. With it, you own the center-line, and who-ever owns the center-line has the advantage. This is what makes it one of the best stick fighting moves.

When striking, target your opponent’s face or the top of his head. In a defensive capability, it protects you from any angulated strike.

To do the number 7 strike, start in the basic stance. Bring your stick straight down the center into your target.

As the stick comes down your other hand comes up. This helps keep you balanced/symmetrical and is also a backup defense.

In this single stick training drill you will practice cutting strikes. It is based on one of the traditional Escrima stick fighting drills.

Cutting strikes are those that you follow through on. Like a slash with a sword.

This is as opposed to stopping or bouncing off when you make contact.

When practicing these kali stick fighting strikes, stand a little wider than shoulder width. Lead with your strong side and have your body at 45° to your target. Point your feet toward your enemy.

Practice using circular forces. Roll your strikes using your waist. The power comes from body motion, not your arm.

Using your arm and wrist lacks power. It is good for the sport to get fast points but not very effective on the street. Big hits end fights, and these stick fighting exercises capitalize on that.

These martial arts stick fighting techniques are short range. Do not extend your arm too much. You may get more distance but it loses power at your shoulder. It will also make it easier for your opponent to manipulate/grab your stick and/or arm.

Aim to hit your target with the top couple of inches of your stick. The strikes go through your opponent in a cutting motion.

Start with the stick on your left side to the top of your left shoulder. Strike diagonal and down across your body to your bottom right.

Bring the stick up to shoulder height and squat down to lower your body. Strike down at your opponent’s knee.

Raise the stick up to your left shoulder. Stay low.

Learning defensive Escrima stick fighting techniques is important.

The following are practical and easy to do.

If your opponent uses an angled attack, your number 7 will win.

When you both use king strikes then whoever is first to the target has the advantage. If you are not the first, you must turn your attack to defense.

Note: If both fighters use king strikes at the same time then the tips of the stick will clash. In reality, this is unlikely because doing a perfect king strike is rare. In most cases, it will angle a little to one side.

To make the king strike defensive place your rear hand behind your stick as you do the strike.

If needed you can turn a little toward the angle your opponent’s strike is coming on. Do not turn over 10°.

Creating triangles makes the defense structure strong.

Use the stick fighting parry when both you and your opponent strike but his timing is ahead of yours. You deflect your opponent’s attack (parry) and then counter with a strike or snatch.

If your opponent attacks with a number 7 strike you need to get off center to parry it.

To parry on your right side, take an angulated step forward and raise your hand a little. Your bent arm and stick form a triangle. This triangle will cause your opponent’s attack to glide off.

Do not angle your arm out. It will weaken the structure.

In this section you how to stick fight by taking your opponent's stick. This stick fighting instruction uses snatches.

These Eskrima techniques are not stick fighting locks, but you can adapt them to be.

When you learn stick fighting against another stick, 90% of the time using the king strike will beat your average opponent.

When your opponent knows what he is doing, using a snatch is your next best option. This is because most stick fighting martial arts do not grab the stick. So if you learn single stick grabbing techniques you will have a major advantage.

In these Eskrima techniques there are 3 base snatches:

Your opponent attacks with a forward downward strike. Block the strike.

Your opponent attacks with a forward downward strike. Block the strike.

Your opponent attacks with a backhand downward strike. Block the strike.

Your opponent attacks with a backhand downward strike. Block the strike.

Your opponent attacks with a backhand downward strike. Block the strike.

Stick fighting is a big subject with many techniques and strategic lessons. This article only covers the stick fighting basics you need for self-defense.

If you want to learn more, Sam Fury's Vortex Control Self-Defense is a good start.

You may also want to take stick fighting classes. And if you want to learn from the grand-masters, you can try stick fighting in the Philippines!

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