FMA Sticks 36" and Over?

K Williams

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 17, 1998
Messages
3,286
Has anyone here done any training with sticks/staffs 36" and longer? What techniques are used? Are they held with one hand or two? What's the average length of a staff in the Filipino martial arts? Also, what are the names of the arts in which they are used?



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K. Williams
kel620@aol.com
Modern Arnis Student
 
Leo Giron uses some pretty long sticks. See the "Secrets of Giron Arnis Escrima" by Antonio Somera. Giron has some videos available through I&I Martial Arts supplies.

The staff, or long stick is known as Sibat in FMA. Kelly Worden has some instructional material on Sibat. www.kellyworden.com

Its a good question; "when does a stick become a staff?" It depends on the person and the stick. I sometimes train with a 4' jo staff, and on occasion find myself breaking into 1hand arnis moves with it, but I am of above average build with long arms. There are occasions when it is tactically effective to use 2 hands even with the shortest stick.
 
I work from a western boxing structure. I like to use a 4 foot length. First because its pretty much the same as a broom-handle, rake-handle, etc that you are likely to encounter and use as an environmental weapon. Second, because its long enough to function as a staff, but still short enough to use as a "big stick," making multiple grips workable. My favorite is the old "Little John" grip from Robin Hood movie fame. :-) This allows you to throw combinations of strikes just like in boxing.

Keith

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Attitude Is Everything!
 
disregard.


[This message has been edited by jrf (edited 12-26-2000).]
 
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