10 Stick and Dagger 6 Count Drills in 10 Minutes
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Standard Espada Y Daga Technique·Martial Arts Unlimited
Thanks for checking out our channel. Guro JD brings you 10 Espada y Daga or Stick and Dagger six-count drills that you …
Standard Espada Y Daga Technique
Genusスタンダードエスパダイダガ技(Sutandādo Esupada i Daga Waza)
HybridTranslation: standard espada y daga technique
Overview
The Standard Espada Y Daga Technique executes the core coordination drill where the long weapon delivers a numbered angle strike while the short weapon simultaneously performs a checking, blocking, or trapping action, followed by the short weapon delivering its own counter-strike while the long weapon recovers or blocks. [1] The fundamental drill cycles through the angle system, training the practitioner to pair each long-weapon angle strike with the appropriate short-weapon action. [1],[2] Execution requires developing independent hand coordination — the ability to strike with one hand while blocking or checking with the other, a skill that transfers directly to empty-hand combat. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Standard espada y daga technique drills have been part of Filipino martial arts training for centuries, representing one of the most sophisticated dual-weapon coordination exercises in any fighting system. [1] The drills are designed to build the reflexive bilateral coordination needed for effective dual-weapon combat. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Standard espada y daga technique covers the fundamental combinations of long and short weapon work in Filipino martial arts. [1]
Lineage
Standard espada y daga techniques were systematised within major FMA systems like Doce Pares, Balintawak, and Modern Arnis. [1]
Competition Record
Standard espada y daga techniques are performed in FMA tournament competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Cutting, thrusting, or striking with a bladed weapon — edge alignment and trajectory determine cutting effectiveness
Joints Involved — Wrists (edge alignment and rotation), elbows (extension for thrusts, chambering for cuts), shoulders (arc of the cut), hips (power generation)
Force Vector — Varies — downward diagonal cut (kesa-giri), horizontal cut (yoko-giri), thrust (tsuki), or rising cut (kiri-age)
Weapon Mechanic — Edge alignment (hasuji) is critical — the blade must travel along its cutting plane for effective cuts
Position & Entry
From fighting stance (knife in hand) — Establish grip (forward or reverse), maintain distance, attack with thrusts or cuts from appropriate angle
As close-range technique — In close quarters, use short arcs for cuts or direct thrusts to the target
From defensive position — Use the knife to deflect or redirect the opponent's attack, then counter
Variants
Forward grip slash — cutting with the blade in a forward (hammer) grip
Reverse grip stab — thrusting with the blade in an icepick (reverse) grip
Forward grip thrust — straight thrust targeting the body or limbs
Defensive cut — slashing the opponent's attacking limb to disable it
Videos
ESCRIMA Espada Y Daga Drill
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Standard Espada Y Daga Technique·Kali Center
Espada Y Daga is the 3rd area of Kali and is considered the most sophisticated of the areas. Here are 3 great basic dril…
Kali Espada y Daga Tutorial
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Standard Espada Y Daga Technique·Sakan Lam
#kali #espadaydaga #tutorial Tutorial on the basics of Espada y Daga. -Make sure to become proficient with the basic an…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
Standard Espada y Daga technique involves coordinated striking and thrusting with a long weapon (espada/stick) and short weapon (daga/knife) in Filipino martial arts. All three instructors—Kali Center, Sakan Lam, and Martial Arts Unlimited—emphasize foundational competency in the twelve angles of attack before combining weapons. Kali Center's approach focuses on sequential drilling: striking angles 1-2 down the X with the espada while chambering the daga at the hip, then alternating with angles 3-4, interspersed with high and low daga thrusts. The daga hand must remain controlled near the hip to avoid self-injury. Sakan Lam similarly advocates mastering the twelve angles individually, then alternating espada strikes with daga thrusts after every two angles, preferring spiral thrusts reminiscent of overhand punching mechanics. Martial Arts Unlimited presents the technique through six-count drills based on figure-8 patterns (downward, upward, flat) and abaniko (fan) sequences (high-low-high, low-high-low, triple high, triple low), each followed by a consistent finishing sequence: stab-hit-stab. All instructors stress the importance of chamber points—typically the hip for the daga—and recommend practicing drills individually before flowing between them. The instructors agree on foundational principles but vary in drill structure: Kali Center uses angle-based progressions, Sakan Lam emphasizes angle mastery with alternating thrusts, and Martial Arts Unlimited organizes training through repetitive six-count figure patterns.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Kali Center — ESCRIMA Espada Y Daga Drill: Presents three progressive drills emphasizing angle sequences (1-2-3-4) with alternating espada and daga strikes, daga thrusting, and daga passing techniques; stresses hip chambering and hand safety.
- Sakan Lam — Kali Espada y Daga Tutorial: Establishes the twelve angles of attack as prerequisite foundation; demonstrates alternating espada and daga strikes with thrusts after every two angles; introduces spiral thrust mechanics based on overhand punch and freestyle swimming stroke analogies.
- Martial Arts Unlimited — 10 Stick and Dagger 6 Count Drills in 10 Minutes: Organizes training through ten six-count drills using figure-8 patterns (downward, upward, flat) and abaniko sequences; establishes consistent finishing pattern (stab-hit-stab) across all drills; emphasizes positional variation and directional changes.
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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
✓The standard espada y daga technique combines a stick angle-one strike with a dagger check and follow-up thrust — the most fundamental two-weapon combination (Wiley, Filipino Martial Culture, 1997)
✓Execution: deliver a forehand diagonal strike (angle one) with the stick, simultaneously checking the opponent's weapon arm with the dagger's spine
✓If the stick strike lands, follow with a dagger thrust to the midsection while the stick recovers to guard position
✓If the opponent blocks the stick strike, the dagger immediately checks their blocking arm and the stick delivers a follow-up strike from a different angle
✓The technique demonstrates the core espada y daga principle: one weapon always covers while the other attacks — continuous alternating protection
✓Timing is critical: the stick strike and dagger check must occur simultaneously — if the dagger check is late, the opponent can counter during the exchange
✓The feet step into range with the stick strike and then adjust for dagger range — the stance narrows as the engagement closes
Common Mistakes
!Delivering the stick strike without the simultaneous dagger check — both weapons must work at the same time
!Thrusting with the dagger before the stick strike has created an opening — the stick must go first to draw the opponent's defence
!Not recovering the stick to guard after the initial strike — the stick must protect while the dagger attacks at close range
!Using the dagger to cut rather than thrust at close range — in tight quarters, the thrust is more effective and harder to defend
!Not adjusting footwork for the range change — moving from stick range to dagger range requires a step forward
!Pausing between the stick strike and dagger follow-up — the combination must be continuous; any pause allows the opponent to recover
!Practising only one combination — the technique should be trained from all five primary angles, not just angle one
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Ready Position — assume the guard stance appropriate for the weapon
2Distance Control — manage spacing relative to the opponent
3Execute Technique — perform the offensive or defensive action with correct form
4Return to Guard — recover to a defensive ready position
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] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1997)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
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] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1997)
Community
Athletics
Requires
close-range reflexes, wrist dexterity, grip transitions
Favours
quick hands, strong wrists for grip changes
Key muscles
forearm flexors, wrist rotators, deltoids, core
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do with my knife hand when I'm striking with the stick in Espada y Daga?
Chamber the weapon that's not being used at the hip, and slide it down next to your hip when striking. Make sure to keep the tip pointing down and clear it out of the way to avoid accidentally cutting or thrusting yourself.
What are the different ways to perform the thrust after every two angles?
Some practitioners prefer a straight thrust, while others like a spiral thrust. Sakan Lam recommends thinking of the spiral thrust as an overhand punch combined with a freestyle swimmer stroke, which also helps improve your overall punching technique.
How should I progress once I've learned the individual drills?
Once you have all three drills accomplished individually, start experimenting by flowing all the drills into one continuous flow drill, such as a SIA or karenza (solitary free flow), but only after you have mastered each drill separately.
How does the Standard Espada Y Daga Technique work?
The Standard Espada Y Daga Technique executes the core coordination drill where the long weapon delivers a numbered angle strike while the short weapon simultaneously performs a checking, blocking, or trapping action, followed by the short weapon delivering its own counter-strike while the long weapon recovers or blocks. The fundamental drill cycles through the angle system, training the practitioner to pair each long-weapon angle strike with the appropriate short-weapon action.
Where does the Standard Espada Y Daga Technique come from?
Standard espada y daga technique drills have been part of Filipino martial arts training for centuries, representing one of the most sophisticated dual-weapon coordination exercises in any fighting system. The drills are designed to build the reflexive bilateral coordination needed for effective dual-weapon combat.
Is the Standard Espada Y Daga Technique legal in competition?
WEKAF: legal — Legal in padded stick competition; HEMA: legal — Legal in applicable weapon categories
How dangerous is the Standard Espada Y Daga Technique?
Danger rating 8/10. Very High — Arnis/Escrima/Kali stick and blade techniques; designed for close-range lethality
How do I set up the Standard Espada Y Daga Technique?
The standard setup chain: Ready Position → Distance Control → Execute Technique → Return to Guard.
How do I defend against the Standard Espada Y Daga Technique?
Standard counters include: Parry (Absetzen) — deflect the incoming blade with a counter-displacement / Void (Step Back) — withdraw from measure to avoid the cutting arc / Counter-Cut (Nachreisen) — strike into the opponent's opening during their attack.
What are the variants of the Standard Espada Y Daga Technique?
Common variants: Forward grip slash (cutting with the blade in a forward (hammer) grip); Reverse grip stab (thrusting with the blade in an icepick (reverse) grip); Forward grip thrust (straight thrust targeting the body or limbs); Defensive cut (slashing the opponent's attacking limb to disable it).
How effective is the Standard Espada Y Daga Technique in competition?
Standard espada y daga techniques are performed in FMA tournament competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Espada Y Daga Technique?
Top errors to watch for: Delivering the stick strike without the simultaneous dagger check — both weapons must work at the same time / Thrusting with the dagger before the stick strike has created an opening — the stick must go first to draw the oppone… / Not recovering the stick to guard after the initial strike — the stick must protect while the dagger attacks at close… / Using the dagger to cut rather than thrust at close range — in tight quarters, the thrust is more effective and harde….
What are other names for the Standard Espada Y Daga Technique?
The Standard Espada Y Daga Technique is also known as Sutandādo Esupada i Daga Waza, Basic Espada Y Daga, Long-and-Short Combination, Olisi Y Baraw Basic.