Intro to Kabaroan Escrima VHS

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Just saw this little 37 min gem from KIL/Bloodsport.com filmed at the RAW Gym and GM Ramiro Estalilla's home in Fountain Valley, CA.

Intro
Lines of strikes
Lines of blocks
6 Types of strikes
2 Types of Defense (meet, merge, 4 ways to merge)
Basic 5 ct drill
Intro to Double Weapons
Basic Sinawalli (1-3 cts)
Bambollian Sinawalli (short staff & stick)
Disarms (3 modes, quadrant theory)
Ethics

Kabaroan Escrima uses an asterisk inside an octagon to symbolize the lines of attacks (asterisk) and blocks (octagon). Blocks are used according to the weapon defended against and are defined by the opponent's strike. The strike system also includes 2 handed strikes patterned after rifle/bayonet techniques

Bambolilian Sinawalli involves a short staff and a stick, the former is grasped at the middle and used as an improvised shield and stick. According to an old Black Belt article, Bambollia translates as "to shock" and refers to this systems 2 handed stick material. Short Staff and Spear is also shown with some flashy yet deceptive techniques. Disarms covers the 3 methods of disarms; using the empty hand, using one's weapon, using both empty hand and weapon.

During the credits, there's more footage of GM Estallila demonstrating
disarms during short staff & stick, footwork, and empty hand sinawalli.

I've seen the Bambollian Sinawallil in magazines but pictures couldn't fully convey the timing and flow of the moves. I would've like to see more of the Bambollian disarms rather than the standard stick and empty hand disarms. The tape is a bit steep but I was pleasantly surprised at what I saw as there's a bit of similarity with the Zulu stick & shield and German sword & long shield material.

 

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Speaking of Zulu Stick, I guessing posting this here would be more appropriate than PT.

Zulu Stickfighting Series from Jkdunlimited.com
A 2-tape series hosted and filmed by Burton Richardson, containing footage
from an 8 day trip to South Africa. Richardson states Zulu stick & shield play is an exercise where the goal is to get around your opponent's shield and score a hit. The audience is told to note the twirling, faking, and compound striking during each bought. Besides stick bouts, there is footage of spear throwing, a lecture on Zulu weapons, Zulu singing, and Richardson
learning and participating in a few bouts.

Tape 1 (50 min) covers weapon construction, blocking with the shield, Zulu fighting strategy before and after Shaka Zulu's influence. There are 10 bouts between Zulu fighters and 3 bouts where Richardson fights. Tape 2 (52 min) also has 10 bouts between fighters, 3 bout with Richardson training, more spear throwing, and footage of Zulu wedding ceremonies.

Technical notes
Zulu stick bouts end when a clean hit has been scored, a fighter quits, or disarmed. There are no multiple opponent fights, no thrusts to the body, and besides one instance of a clinch there is no grappling. Each bout starts with the fighters slowly striking at each other, the non-dominant hand
holes a 'defense stick'/staff in the middle while holding a short, padded shield. The defense stick blocks in the same manner as Western fencing but some traditional factors are taken out of the modern game.

a) The Defense stick is pointed at the enemy, b) the butt end of the Defense stick and/or the short stick conceal a double edged blade, and c) depending on the size of the shield, the off hand may be carrying another weapon behind the shield.

Before Shaka Zulu, spear throwing was the main method of attack in skirmishes where Shaka emphasized close quarter fighting. Charging the enemy, banging a weapon against one's shield, then closing in and stabbing with a hidden short spear. The ax was also used to hook and chop
in conjunction with the shield.

During the bouts, I would say 1 fighter was very good at faking and compound techiques and diagonal strikes where used in only 1 bout. Richardson's performance was better on the second tape and you could see him use some FMA footwork. Speaking of footwork, it was all linear
and charging at the opponent was rarely done.

Cultural notes
Warriors apparently sang/announced themselves upon entering a village. During weddings the bride carries a knife and shield instead of a bouquet. Wedding attendees can grab a stick or stick and shield and dance in mock battles. Stick bouts are used to establish dominance where the strong are
deemed 'bulls' and weak 'cows'.

The sound was faint due to high winds and a waterfall, but the picture quality was okay.