By Mark V. Wiley<\/p>\n
The Serrada Escrima system was developed in the mid-1960s by the late Grandmaster Angel Cabales. While a teenager living in Cebu, Philippines, Cabales studied boxing and later de Cuerdas Escrima under Felicisimo Dizon. Upon relocating to the United States, Cabales systematized the de Cuerdas style and added an empty hand aspect he had not previously learned from Dizon, thus creating the Cabales Serrada Escrima system.<\/span><\/p>\n A primary method of training the blocking techniques finds practitioners pairing off, with one attacking and the other blocking and countering. After the basic counters have been perfected, practitioners move on to the art\u2019s three principal drills, which leads them to be able to apply block and counter techniques in an appropriate and reflexive manner.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”6px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Serrada_2.jpg” title_text=”Mark Wiley and Tony Somera” align=”center” admin_label=”Mark and Tony” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”||16px|||”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/12799159_536315583203172_5469117809424270358_n.jpg” alt=”image” title_text=”GM Angel Cabales” align=”center” admin_label=”Angel” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-32px|||” custom_padding=”|1px|18px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Mark_Angel-Cabales_1.jpg” title_text=”Mark Wiley and Angel Cabales” align=”center” admin_label=”Angel and Mark” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”190px”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”8px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n The first drill is known as \u201clock and block,\u201d and refers to a \u201clocked\u201d or \u201cset\u201d fighting guard, which assumes lateral movement of the practitioner\u2019s arms and weapons to overcome inertia, thus allowing one to respond more quickly to a given attack. As with basic defense training, \u201clock and block\u201d begins with two partners facing one another\u2014one is the defender; the other is the attacker. The defender is armed with a single stick and must effectively defend himself against an opponent aggressively wielding both a stick and dagger. In the initial levels of this drill, the defender\u2019s goal is to block the attacker\u2019s stick attack, complete an entire counter sequence, and return to his \u201clocked\u201d position prior to the initiation of the attacker\u2019s follow-up dagger thrust. At this level, the attacker strikes in sequence (i.e., angle one, dagger thrust, angle two, dagger thrust, angle three, etc.). During the latter stages of the drill, the attacker strikes and thrusts at will, thus forcing the defender to depend on honed reflexive actions to support his transition from one counter sequence to the next without hesitation or disruption. At advanced stages, \u201clock and block\u201d is performed with no attacking sequence, and with both attacker and defender armed with stick and dagger.<\/span><\/p>\n Another dill taught concurrently with \u201clock and block\u201d is known as \u201cflow sparring,\u201d which develops fundamental skills in single stick direct blocking and countering. This drill finds its participants facing off and engaging in an even exchange of strikes and blocks. That is, when one partner strikes, the second partner blocks, and when the second partner counter strikes, the first partner blocks. \u201cFlow sparring\u201d is primarily employed as a tool to teach practitioners how to block effectively and counter efficiently in a somewhat reflexive manner.<\/span><\/p>\n An advanced training drill is built around the techniques of \u201cpicking\u201d or feinting techniques. While \u201cpicking\u201d is a primary fighting strategy, when trained with a partner it becomes a drill to further develop reflexes and the ability to defend against such strikes. Practitioners are first taught how to properly execute the \u201cpicking\u201d (or feinting) combinations and then how to time those of an opponent. This develops in the exponent the ability to decipher when an opponent has sufficiently committed to a strike, thus affording one the opportunity to \u201cpick\u201d him \u2014 or strike his open areas. To develop the skills and reflexes necessary to defend such strikes, one partner will execute single strikes against the other partner, who will counter. At an undetermined time, the attacker will feint the first strike(s) and pick his opponent, who must then react accordingly and then follow up after the fakes have finished.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”293px” custom_margin=”-18px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Stockton-20120220-00107.jpg” title_text=”GM Darren Tibon” align=”center” admin_label=”darren” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_5989.jpg” title_text=”GM Wade Williams” admin_label=”Wade” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/034.jpg” title_text=”GM Angel Cabales and GMD” align=”center” admin_label=”Angel and GMD” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”4px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n Like the compact nature of the Cabales Serrada system itself, its number of articulated fighting strategies are also few, but nonetheless effective. Among the more prevalent are methods of controlling distance and spatial relationship through footwork, techniques of feinting for luring an opponent to commit to a false attack, and methods for countering an opponent\u2019s counter attack by going with the force of his strikes. In terms of an overall basic strategy of maneuvering, practitioners\u2019 step along standard isosceles triangles. To maneuver to the outside of an on-coming attack, practitioners step forward with their left leg along the left line of an inverted triangle. To face the on-coming attack, exponents replace their lead leg without changing distance, by stepping to the apex of the triangle with the rear leg and then back with the front leg. At times when an opponent\u2019s weapon is long or the Cabales Serrada exponent finds himself out of position, either a one-and-a-half stepping back combination or a series of short, stomping shuffle steps are used to adjust to the extra distance needed to move off the line of attack.<\/span><\/p>\n As described above, another key strategy used Cabales Serrada Escrima is known as \u201cpicking.\u201d This refers to methods of using fakes or feinting maneuvers to cause an opponent to open his guard in response to the false strikes, thus providing the attacker an opening to strike. Picks are executed as a series of strikes, and each of the system\u2019s twelve strikes has a specific picking combination that may be employed to fake the opponent.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Angel_Max_1.jpg” title_text=”Angel Cabales and Max Sarmiento” align=”center” admin_label=”angel and max” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|-35px||||”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Serrada_5c.jpg” title_text=”Ron Saturno” align=”center” admin_label=”saturno” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|10px||||”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/gallery1.jpg” title_text=”Angel Cabales and Darren Tibon” align=”center” admin_label=”Angel inside a” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-12px|-29px||” custom_padding=”|||2px||”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n As described above, another key strategy used Cabales Serrada Escrima is known as \u201cpicking.\u201d This refers to methods of using fakes or feinting maneuvers to cause an opponent to open his guard in response to the false strikes, thus providing the attacker an opening to strike. Picks are executed as a series of strikes, and each of the system\u2019s twelve strikes has a specific picking combination that may be employed to fake the opponent.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”2px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Filipino-Fighting-Arts-Vol.-1-Cover-scaled.jpg” alt=”product image” title_text=”Filipino Fighting Arts – Mark V. Wiley” url=”https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/filipino-martial-arts-welcome\/filipino-fighting-arts-volume-1\/?et_fb=1&PageSpeed=off” url_new_window=”on” admin_label=”FFA” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” custom_margin=”||-11px|||”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|||-7px||”]<\/p>\n