5 Beginner Arnis Double Stick Moves You can do today! Filipino Martial Arts
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Double Sinawali·Kali Center
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Double Sinawali
Genusダブルシナワリ(Daburu Shinawari)
TransliterationTranslation: double sinawali
Overview
Double Sinawali (also called Heaven Six or Redonda) is the sinawali pattern where both sticks strike the same target area simultaneously or in rapid succession, creating a doubled striking pattern that overwhelms the opponent's ability to block both strikes at once. [1] In double sinawali, both sticks swing to the same side — for example, both sticks strike the opponent's left side in succession, then both swing to the right side — creating a powerful, concentrated attack pattern. [1],[2] The double sinawali develops power generation with both hands and trains the practitioner to deliver coordinated maximum-force strikes. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Double sinawali is a core pattern in Filipino martial arts training, taught across most Arnis and Eskrima systems as an intermediate-level doble baston technique. [1] The pattern emphasises offensive power through doubled strikes, reflecting the aggressive combat philosophy of many Filipino fighting systems. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Double sinawali is an advanced double-stick weaving pattern where both sticks follow the same path, creating continuous striking patterns. [1]
Competition Record
Double sinawali is performed in FMA forms competition and used as a training method for double-stick fighting. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Striking, blocking, or thrusting with a long rigid weapon — the staff's length creates leverage and reach advantage
Joints Involved — Both hands (sliding and rotating grip positions), wrists (snap for strikes), hips (rotation for power)
Force Vector — The rear hand pushes while the lead hand acts as fulcrum — staff rotation generates speed at the striking tip
Weapon Mechanic — The staff can be used from either end and at any range — versatility from long-range strikes to short-range blocks
Position & Entry
From fighting stance (stick in hand) — Hold the stick in the dominant hand, establish range, execute angles of attack (numbered striking patterns)
As counter (after block) — Block the opponent's strike with the stick, counter-strike to the exposed target immediately
From double-stick position — Coordinate both sticks — one attacks while the other covers or follows up
Variants
Angle 1 (forehand diagonal) — downward diagonal strike from the dominant side
Angle 2 (backhand diagonal) — downward diagonal strike from the off side
Angle 5 (thrust) — straight thrust with the tip of the stick
Redonda (continuous) — flowing circular strikes chaining multiple angles
Videos
7 DIFFERENT SINAWALI STRIKES I Arnis Double Stick Techniques
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Double Sinawali·RageNova TV
The 7 Different Sinawali variations that are very useful in self-defense because it offers unique but very effective fig…
Foundation Elements Sinawali Lesson - Kali Method
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Double Sinawali·kalimethod
Academy http://www.kalimethod.com 1st Lesson in the Foundation Elements Curriculum. The basic Sinawali is the Mother of …
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
Double Sinawali is a foundational double-stick weaving pattern in Filipino martial arts (Kali, Arnis, Eskrima) characterized by alternating diagonal strikes executed in continuous six-count sequences. According to kalimethod's pedagogical framework, the technique begins in chamber position with one stick held under the armpit and the other ready to strike diagonally. The "mother Sinawali" comprises three primary variations: heaven (all strikes at head level), standard (alternating high and low strikes), and combo (integrating knee-level strikes with footwork). Each variation uses identical arm mechanics; only the striking height changes. Kalimethod emphasizes maintaining parallel stick alignment to prevent collision and keeping the torso upright during low strikes. The pattern transitions into footwork coordination where practitioners synchronize contralateral limbs—right leg with right hand, left leg with left hand—progressing through heaven, standard, and combo before descending into earth variations (all strikes targeting lower targets). Kali Center presents Double Sinawali as a progression from foundational broken and fluid strikes in the open and chamber positions, treating the weaving pattern as an intermediate skill combining strike mechanics with rhythm coordination. Both instructors stress slow, deliberate practice before increasing speed, emphasizing that proficiency develops through repetitive training hours rather than years of unfocused practice.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Kali Center — 5 Beginner Arnis Double Stick Moves You can do today! Filipino Martial Arts: Provided foundational double-stick drills (broken strikes, circular strikes, cressata crosses, fluid chamber strikes, V strikes) that precede and support Sinawali execution; emphasized progression from simple to complex patterns and karenza (freestyle flow) integration.
- RageNova TV — 7 DIFFERENT SINAWALI STRIKES I Arnis Double Stick Techniques: Video title indicates coverage of seven Sinawali strike variations, though transcript content was not provided; presumably demonstrates technical variations beyond foundational patterns.
- kalimethod — Foundation Elements Sinawali Lesson - Kali Method: Comprehensive pedagogical breakdown of mother Sinawali framework including heaven/standard/combo variations, earth variations with modified footwork, detailed chamber mechanics, stick alignment principles, and progressive integration of footwork coordination; provided primary instructional structure for the technique.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Arnis/Escrima/Kali stick and blade techniques; designed for close-range lethality
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
WEKAF — Legal in padded stick competition {srcHEMA — Legal in applicable weapon categories {src
Training Notes
✓Double sinawali (doble sinawali) uses a high-high striking pattern — both sticks strike from the same high angle before alternating, creating an 'X' pattern in the air (Inosanto, The Filipino Martial Arts, 1980)
✓The double sinawali pattern: right high forehand, left high backhand, right low forehand, left low backhand — forming a continuous double-X
✓This pattern develops the ability to deliver rapid successive strikes from the same angle — overwhelming the opponent's defence
✓Double sinawali trains power transfer: as one hand delivers a strike, the other is chambering — creating a piston-like alternation
✓The pattern naturally develops the ability to strike with either hand from either side — building true ambidexterity
✓Double sinawali is the most common partner drill in FMA demonstrations and is often the first sinawali pattern taught
✓When performed at speed, double sinawali creates a wall of strikes that is extremely difficult to penetrate
Common Mistakes
!Making both strikes the same power — the first strike sets up the second; vary power for tactical effect
!Not chambering the non-striking hand — while one hand strikes, the other must chamber for the next strike
!Striking at different heights unintentionally — both high strikes should be at the same level for the pattern to work
!Leaning back from the partner — maintain proper distance by standing your ground
!Losing count of the pattern — the double sinawali has a specific sequence; practice slowly until the count is automatic
!Not transitioning to other patterns — double sinawali should flow into single and reverse sinawali seamlessly
!Treating it as only a drill — the double sinawali contains real combat applications; understand the fighting applications
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Grip and Stance — hold the weapon in the correct grip with a balanced stance
2Chamber — draw the weapon back to generate striking power
3Strike — deliver the blow along the correct angle of attack
4Recovery — return to guard position and prepare for the next action
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Filipino Martial Arts (Dan Inosanto, 1980)
1BookFilipino Martial Arts (Inosanto, 1980)
Alias sources — [1] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1994) [2] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1994) [3] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1994)
2BookEskrima (Presas, 1983)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Inosanto, D., The Filipino Martial Arts (Know Now Publishing, 1980)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationFilipino Martial Arts (Inosanto, 1980)
Alias sources — [1] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1994) [2] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1994) [3] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1994)
5CitationEskrima (Presas, 1983)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Inosanto, D., The Filipino Martial Arts (Know Now Publishing, 1980)
Community
Athletics
Requires
wrist speed, hand coordination (especially double stick), cardiovascular endurance
Favours
quick hands, conditioned forearms, coordination
Key muscles
forearms, wrists, shoulders, core rotators
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the correct hand position when practicing Sinawali?
Keep your hands diagonal rather than perpendicular to avoid the sticks catching each other. According to Kali Method's instruction, beginners often make the mistake of putting their hand out perpendicular when it should be diagonal so that when you strike, the stick will turn over properly.
How should I coordinate my footwork with my hand strikes in double stick Sinawali?
Match your footwork to your strikes by moving your right leg forward with your right hand and your left leg forward with your left hand. Kali Method emphasizes keeping your back straight and starting slowly before building up speed, moving through patterns like 'heaven' and 'earth' with synchronized leg and arm movements.
What should I do if I don't have proper training sticks yet?
You can start training immediately by using whatever you have on hand or even just your hands to practice the motions. Paul Ingram at Kali Center recommends grabbing anything available to get started with your training today while you wait for proper rattan sticks to arrive.
How do I progress after learning the basic double stick drills?
Once you master the five basic drills, practice karenza—a solitary free flow where you creatively explore how the drills link together. Start slow for about 60 seconds, mixing up the movements in different orders to develop fluidity without rushing.
How does the Double Sinawali work?
Double Sinawali (also called Heaven Six or Redonda) is the sinawali pattern where both sticks strike the same target area simultaneously or in rapid succession, creating a doubled striking pattern that overwhelms the opponent's ability to block both strikes at once. In double sinawali, both sticks swing to the same side — for example, both sticks strike the opponent's left side in succession, then both swing to the right side — creating a powerful, concentrated attack pattern.
Where does the Double Sinawali come from?
Double sinawali is a core pattern in Filipino martial arts training, taught across most Arnis and Eskrima systems as an intermediate-level doble baston technique. The pattern emphasises offensive power through doubled strikes, reflecting the aggressive combat philosophy of many Filipino fighting systems.
Is the Double Sinawali legal in competition?
WEKAF: legal — Legal in padded stick competition; HEMA: legal — Legal in applicable weapon categories
How dangerous is the Double Sinawali?
Danger rating 8/10. Very High — Arnis/Escrima/Kali stick and blade techniques; designed for close-range lethality
How do I set up the Double Sinawali?
The standard setup chain: Grip and Stance → Chamber → Strike → Recovery.
How do I defend against the Double Sinawali?
Standard counters include: Umbrella Block — raise the stick overhead to intercept a downward strike / Cross Block — meet the incoming strike with a perpendicular block / Disarm — strip the opponent's weapon through leverage on the hand or wrist.
What are the variants of the Double Sinawali?
Common variants: Angle 1 (forehand diagonal) (downward diagonal strike from the dominant side); Angle 2 (backhand diagonal) (downward diagonal strike from the off side); Angle 5 (thrust) (straight thrust with the tip of the stick); Redonda (continuous) (flowing circular strikes chaining multiple angles).
How effective is the Double Sinawali in competition?
Double sinawali is performed in FMA forms competition and used as a training method for double-stick fighting.
What are common mistakes when doing the Double Sinawali?
Top errors to watch for: Making both strikes the same power — the first strike sets up the second; vary power for tactical effect / Not chambering the non-striking hand — while one hand strikes, the other must chamber for the next strike / Striking at different heights unintentionally — both high strikes should be at the same level for the pattern to work / Leaning back from the partner — maintain proper distance by standing your ground.
What are other names for the Double Sinawali?
The Double Sinawali is also known as Daburu Shinawari, Double Weave, X-Pattern Sinawali, Standard Double Weave.