{"id":1570,"date":"2015-04-08T18:52:24","date_gmt":"2015-04-08T22:52:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/?p=1570"},"modified":"2023-07-24T15:06:10","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T19:06:10","slug":"preliminaries-of-derobio-escrima","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/preliminaries-of-derobio-escrima\/","title":{"rendered":"Preliminaries of Derobio Escrima"},"content":{"rendered":"
The following is excerpted from GM Dan Medina’s comprehensive new book, The Secret Art of Derobio Escrima<\/strong><\/em><\/a>, published by Tambuli Media. <\/span><\/p>\n The basis of Derobio Escrima is built on deflecting and controlling movements and techniques.\u00a0First and foremost, the most important aspect is the principal of \u201cpassing\u201d the attacking blow,\u00a0thus redirecting the energy of your attacker, while a counter-move is employed from the outside.\u00a0It is this basic idea that gives this art the ability to level the playing field, allowing you to defend\u00a0yourself against attackers that may be larger and stronger than you. By redirecting the attacker\u2019s\u00a0energy, instead of meeting it force to force, Derobio has proven itself to be an effective self-defense\u00a0art for practitioners of all ages, genders and physical fitness levels.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/a>That being said, as with anything, there are no absolutes. There may be times when you will\u00a0need to adapt to the given situation and a \u201cforce to force\u201d response is unavoidable. Even in\u00a0this case, the passing techniques can seamlessly be integrated into these situations, giving you\u00a0a wider range of responses and options.\u00a0Derobio Escrima emphasizes disarming techniques and defensive behavior rather than\u00a0aggressive actions. Disarming and rendering an attacker incapable of further aggression is the\u00a0<\/span>primary goal.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Training Overview<\/strong><\/span> Once the student has become proficient in these basic movements they are paired and they\u00a0begin striking and defending alternately. These drills are done slowly at first but soon move to\u00a0\u201creal time\u201d speed, allowing for automatic or reflexive actions to be ingrained into the student\u2019s\u00a0subconscious behaviors.\u00a0Basic counters are quickly added to the defensive strikes which may include strikes to the wrist,\u00a0elbow and collarbone. As the student progresses, more counters are added including knees,\u00a0ankles, head strikes, punching, kicking, locks, disarms, takedowns and chokes.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/a>Because of the efficiency of the Derobio system, locks and disarms become more accessible;\u00a0that is, easier to do. Each counter has a series of locks, counter locks, counter-to-the-counter\u00a0locks, disarms and tie-ups. These methods are practiced single stick to single stick, single stick\u00a0to double stick, double stick to double stick, single stick to empty hand, double sticks to empty\u00a0hand, and hand to hand. Derobio students work to cover as many situations as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n Double sticks or \u201cdoble cada\u201d teaches the weaving stick motions of Sinawali, gunting or scissor\u00a0blocks, following blocks, double stick attacks and, of course, disarms and locks. Sinawali\u00a0(double stick weaving patterns) are learned not as individual sets but as a single exercise using\u00a0different Siniwalli patterns, flowing one into the other with no pause. All double stick defenses\u00a0are practiced in a flowing series against the 12 strikes. As the student becomes more proficient\u00a0multiple counters are added as are disarms, locks and counter locks. At an advanced level these\u00a0are practiced with live blades.<\/span><\/p>\n It is a common misconception that the art of Escrima is exclusively practiced with the famed\u00a0Escrima sticks. Although the primary focus is on weapons, whether a stick, a bolo, pocket knife\u00a0or any weapon available, it would be a severe underestimation to assume it ends there. Bone\u00a0crushing kicking techniques are employed in combination with aggressive footwork, empty\u00a0hand techniques, boxing, wrestling and groundwork skills. Basically, if it can be done with a\u00a0weapon, it can be done without one.<\/span><\/p>\n Sparring drills can consist of padded stick sparring, live stick sparring with minimal gear,\u00a0multiple attackers against one person (armed or unarmed). Any or all of the drills are practiced\u00a0in standing and low point positions.<\/span><\/p>\n Four Stages of Development<\/strong><\/span> The Mental Stage involves focus, improved learning skills, concentration and the ability to\u00a0\u201cread\u201d the opponent. Th e mental level student moves beyond the physical lessons and the\u00a0student begins to learn and understand history, terminology, and the cultural aspects and\u00a0influences of the art.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nDerobio training begins with the basic exercises, the first 12 strikes and 12 defenses. The 12\u00a0strikes or Doce Teros are similar to many other Filipino martial arts. They are practiced on the\u00a0instructor\u2019s count (in Spanish) and are continuous in movement. These strikes are practiced in\u00a0a four corner pattern, striking all 12 angles then turning a quarter turn to the left (moving in\u00a0a counter clockwise direction), and repeating to all four sides.\u00a0The 12 defenses are not blocks in the traditional sense; there is no force-to-force contact.\u00a0Instead, opposing strikes are deflected or passed. The defenses are also practiced in a four\u00a0corner pattern although the quarter turn is now to the right (moving in a clockwise direction).<\/span><\/p>\n
\nThe student of Derobio strives to reach the four stages of development: Physical, Mental,\u00a0<\/span>Moral and Spiritual. In the Physical Stage the student develops his balance, studies the 12 main\u00a0<\/span>body joints and learns to relax and fl ow fluidly from one movement to another. At this level he\u00a0<\/span>gains accuracy and control. Physical fitness and flexibility is improved in addition to a better\u00a0<\/span>understanding of the human body and its weaknesses\u00a0and\u00a0strengths.<\/span><\/p>\n