The Offensive Strikes
The Pedoy School of Derobio Escrima 12 Offensive Strikes
1. The First Lesson Taught
2. The Basic Strikes
3. Footwork and Angle
4. Things to Keep in Mind
5. In Closing
The First Lesson Taught
The “12 basic offensive strikes” is the first lesson taught to the beginning student. This lesson is drilled repeatedly until the student knows where each strike in succession is coming from. Teaching the offense first serves 3 purposes:
• First, it teaches the student the 12 basic offense movements and the triangle footwork.
• Second, it gives the student a better understanding of what to expect when learning the 12 defensive movements which are taught once the 12 offense movements are memorized.
• Third, it starts to imprint the angles of attack in the student’s mind as well as learning how to strike correctly.
In initial training the student will practice the strikes without a partner. As the student becomes proficient the student learns to perform each offensive strike with a training partner. When working with a training partner it is essential to know what direction the 12 strikes are coming from. It is not uncommon for a beginning student to hit a more advanced student because the beginner threw a different strike than the advanced student expected. It is for moments like that one should recall one of Great Grandmaster Pedoy’s favorite sayings: ” Protect yourself at all times.”
The Basic Strikes
The 12 offensive strikes are first taught using the student’s power hand (right for right-handed, left for left handed). As the student progresses however, he/she will eventually learn to do the offensive strikes with either hand.
Each strike is done as if one is cutting with a bladed weapon. The cutting edge or power edge is forward. Even when using a garrote, the strike is still done as if one was holding a bladed weapon.
The following strikes are done with power right (right-handed). Power left is a mirror image of the right hand offensive: The two opponents are standing face to face about 36 inches apart. You should be able to reach out and easily touch your target with the tip of your garrote, without a full extension of your arm. Never lock your elbows or knees when striking or blocking. It is best to try to keep your elbows close to your side, while at the same time delivering a good solid strike with knees bent and feet planted. Do not over extend your arms or feet. Every stance is a fighting stance. If you over-commit, you will lose, if you under-commit, you will lose, balance is the secret!
1. Uno: (right foot forward) is a downward diagonal strike to the opponent’s neck (left side) from the striker’s right side.
2. Dos: (left foot forward) is a downward diagonal strike to the opponent’s neck (right side) from the striker’s left side.
3. Tres: (right foot forward) is a low horizontal strike to the opponent’s (left side) waist/belt line from the striker’s right side.
4. Cuatro: (left foot forward) is a low horizontal strike to the opponent’s (right side) waist/belt line from the striker’s left side.
5. Cinco: (right foot forward) is a low thrust to the opponent’s stomach (belly button). The striker should have a natural position of the hand. The thrust should angle up a little, with the cutting edge down or turned to the left a little. After the thrust, withdraw the strike back a few inches, to simulate withdrawing the bladed weapon.
6. Seis: (left foot forward) is a high thrust to the opponent’s throat from the striker’s left side. You must throw your left shoulder behind the thrust, be sure your left foot is forward.
7. Siete: (right foot forward) is a high thrust to the opponent’s throat/chest area from the striker’s right side. This is like the Matador’s thrust, be aware that your weapon arm and elbow is not up, but rather downward. You have to throw your shoulder into the thrust.
8. Ocho: (right foot forward) is a low upward diagonal strike to the opponent’s left knee from the striker’s right side. Make sure you keep your head up when striking Ocho. Try to keep your vision line focused on your opponent’s face and this way you can protect your high line when making the low strikes.
9. Nueve: (left foot forward) is a low upward diagonal strike to the opponent’s right knee from the striker’s left side. The same rules for striking Ocho also apply to Nueve, do not drop your vision line down when striking numbers eight and nine.
10. Diez: (right foot forward) is a high horizontal strike to the opponent’s left side head/temple from the striker’s right side. This strike is similar to the number 1 strike, except the target is now the head rather than the neck and the strike is horizontal as opposed to downward.
11. Once: (left foot forward) is a high horizontal strike to the opponent’s right side head/temple from the striker’s left side. This strike is similar to the number 2 strike, except the target is now the head rather than the neck and the strike is horizontal as opposed to downward.
12. Doce: (right foot forward) is a vertical strike to the (center) top of the opponent’s head. For the striker this blow is similar to number 1, except the blow comes straight down as opposed to coming across at an angle.
Footwork and Angle
The offensive footwork of the Derobio Escrima System is based on a triangle. On the offensive striking, the student stands at the base of the triangle in the ready/neutral position (see image #1 – “Ready/Neutral Position”) below, with the point toward the direction the student is striking. When the student strikes with his/her right-hand we refer to it as “Power Right” and when the student strikes with his/her left-hand we refer to it as “Power Left”. As the student strikes, the foot that is on the same side that the student is striking from moves toward the point of the triangle, Example: “Uno” uses the right foot (see image #2 – “Uno” Right Foot Forward) below, and “Dos” uses the left foot (see image #3 – “Dos” Left Foot Forward) below, the images shown below for both “Uno” and “Dos” strikes are from the power right offensive footwork. After each strike the student returns to the ready/neutral position.
Things to Keep in Mind
The transition from one strike to the next should be fluid (ie. avoid choppy movements). The weapon should be in front of you after each strike ready to attack or defend. Your elbows should be at your side with the tip of your weapon pointing toward your opponent. Your weapon should not end up behind you or completely to one side. Remember, “every number is a fighting stance”. Try to keep your footwork tight with 50/50 balance on each foot. Your weight should be centered above your hips with your feet about shoulder width apart. It is critical that you be able to move your legs out of the line of attack without losing your balance.
When performing the offensive or defensive strikes in practice count each number aloud. Counting trains you to breathe and helps you to learn how to adjust your timing and rhythm when working with various opponents. It is essential that an Escrimador learns how to adjust his/her timing and rhythm in order to be able to defeat his/her opponent.
When training offensive strikes with a partner, be sure to strike at the target. Sometimes a student may intentionally try to miss his/her opponent by striking too high or to the side. It is essential that one learn how to defend from attacks that are aimed at the target. Do keep in mind that when striking at your partner, be sure your partner is paying attention (they should be), but it is often seen in class that students are looking around rather than paying attention to the person that is in front of them with a weapon. When striking at your partner you should have control over your weapon so as to be able to pull your strike if needed.
Accuracy is extremely important and developing control over your strike will insure that your strike hits its mark, No matter how fast your hands or weapons are, a miss is a miss, whether it is a fraction of an inch or a mile.
In Closing
This information is presented for instructional purposes only. Never should any of the above techniques be attempted except under the guidance of a certified Derobio instructor. Safety should be maintained in class. Wear the proper training and protective gear, especially safety glasses.
