March 2009 Archives

Just wanted to add a note on starting out on the decuardes sticks. First off this is definitely an A+ way to build reaction time and reinforce basics. I would recommend anyone serious about sparring or just wanting to build up their stills set one up in the garage, basement or outside. Beginners should start out slow and hit in a pattern of two, just working with the top stick. Try not to spin it quickly or use alot of power as this will be more challenge then you really need and be dangerous. Distancing from the rope is important, you should be "challenging" the sticks, be at least an arms reach from the rope. Once you are handling the top stick start with a downward strike to the bottom stick, you should not be blocking but evading all strikes.

Just a quick note on beginning training with the decuardes stick.

Thanks.

I was doing some bio-stick practice and was thinking about how such a famous weapon seems so neglected by many systems. I see myriads of videos on YouTube of groups doing their counters and sparring but rarely do you see them using a long stick or apply any techniques that use both hands in a way that would utilize the arsenal of the Kampilan. Maybe the rarity of soft weapons longer the 28 inches is the culprit but even those you can play with the techniques. I'm not saying that systems don't practice techniques for the weapon, but if you were just researching on the web you would certainly think this to be the case. One of the reasons could be a general misunderstanding of how the weapon is used or it could be that most systems view it as an awkward two handed sword with a handle that really only fits one hand. Is it really the platypus of the Moro weapons? Maybe to some it's the elephant man of the blade world. It's always fun to find the occasional Ebay sale or in a few cases new production Kampilans with the handle backwards where someone tried to 'fix it'. I feel it's a very effective weapon worthy of it's status as legendary.

Just another week until we are officially open for classes at Sparrow Institute.  We are excited to get the tires and sticks up and start classes.