Applications of Escrima to Aiki-jo
April 28, 1992
Mark J. Norton
Jeff Turbide has been showing Joe Caulfield and myself a selection of weapon techniques
from Modern Arnis called Escrima. Escrima is a two weapon fighting style which uses
two hardwood clubs, knives, or machetes. The first practice form pits two people
armed with one club each against each other. Together, they execute four block/strike
combinations which run together to form a cycle.
During last Monday's weapons class, I thought that these club techniques might also
be applied to longer weapons such as the jo. I will describe the form we developed
from Escrima. Two people face each other with jo's standing in a neutral stance.
The jo is held at the end by the left hand, and at the two thirds point by the right.
Without stepping, the jo is brought up to a forehand, head-level strike. The opponent
does likewise, and both meet in the middle. From this middle position, the high
end of the jo is brought around to the left and down to a low, forehand strike at knee-level.
The jo is the brought up to (move again to the left) to a head-level backhand strike.
Then, moving down and to the right, a low backhand strike is delivered at knee-level. By executing the initial high forehand strike from here, the form can be repeated
over and over, gradually building up speed.
These moves seem to be quite useful as frontal body blocks, or as close-in strikes
to the hand, head, or knee. By repeating the form over and over, speed and coordination
are built. Body movement can be introduced by sliding in on the right foot on the
high forehand strike, and forward on the left for the high backhand strike. The exercise
can also be practiced solo by using a slender tree or pole as a target.