Basic Eskrima Curriculum

These requirements are to be referred to as a minimum guideline only, and are subject to being changed, added to, subtracted from, shifted around and altered in any other way that the Head Guro determines will be of greatest benefit to the students of Heartland School of Eskrima.  Any student who achieves a rank level will retain that level while learning any new material that has been added to the levels below the level he or she is currently working toward.

Level 1– Knowledge and proficiency in the following areas:

Various salutes (salute to senior, equal, junior, unknown), and their meanings.

Stick signals:  Basics, Lock and Block, Sparring, and Matches.

Hand signals:  hard, moderate, soft, fast, slow, Kadena de Mano, Serrada, Larga Mano, Dequerdas, Espada y Daga, and Sinawali.

Triangular footwork patterns:  male, female, advancing, retreating, revolving and lateral. 

Basic anatomy for strikes 1 through 5, and reasons for attacking specific targets.

Serrada counters and disarms to strikes 1 through 5.

Basic Tinakling, 4-count, and 6-count Sinawalis.

Kadena de Mano tap drill #1.

Punches:  Jab, Hook, Straight, Back Fist, Hammer Fist, Knife/Ridge Hand and Uppercut.

Kicks:  Front, Side, Inverted, and Roundhouse.

Phase 1 Lock and Block.

Phase 1 Flow Sparring.

Phase 1 Range Drill.

Level 2–Knowledge and proficiency in the following areas:

Basic anatomy for strikes 6 through 12, and reasons for attacking specific targets.

Serrada counters and disarms to strikes 6 through 12.

6-count Sinawali transitions from heaven to earth to regular.

Basic 4-count Larga Mano, both “against” and “with” countering.

Basic one-for-one Larga Mano.

Basic one-for-one Kadena de Mano.

Kadena de Mano tap drill #2.

Phase 2 Lock and Block.

Phase 2 Flow Sparring.

Phase 2 Range Drill.

Level 3–Knowledge and proficiency in the following areas:

Basic Serrada hand and knife translations for angles 1 through 12.

Basic Trapping with and without the weapon.

Basic 4-count Larga Mano deception hitting drill.

Basic 4-count Larga Mano staff hitting with countering drills.

Larga Mano boat drill.

Kadena de Mano footwork and empty hand defense against solid weapons.

Basic Single Stick Carenza (freestyle form).

Phase 3 Lock and Block.

Phase 3 Flow Sparring.

Phase 3 Range Drill.

Dequerdas style and training implement.

Level 4–Knowledge and proficiency in the following areas:

The use of other weapons such as flexible weapons (chains, rope, jackets, scarves, whips, etc.), palm weapons, the environment, etc.

Fighting Multiple Attackers, Fighting with Partners, Protecting Vulnerable Companions (spouse/ children), Economy of Motion, Shielding, Flanking (Zoning), and the Use of the Environment.

Kadena de Mano empty hand defense against flexible weapons.

Unarmed Reverse and Reverse.

Espada y Daga Carenza (freestyle form).

Pressure Point Tactics.

Phase 4 Lock and Block.

Phase 4 Flow Sparring.

Phase 4 Range Drill.

Level 5 (Apprentice Instructor)–Knowledge and proficiency in the following areas:

Improvised weapons such as 2x4 boards, tire irons, books, plates, utensils, keys, etc.

Counter to Counter.

Force Continuum.

Phase 5 Lock and Block.

Phase 5 Flow Sparring.

Phase 5 Range Drill.

Begin privately teaching at least one new student who does not attend classes at Heartland School.

Arrange for Heartland School to do an Eskrima demonstration for a public or private group.

Read Swish of the Kris by Vic Hurley.

Level 6 (Basic Instructor)–Knowledge and proficiency in the following areas:

Basic first-aid:  treatment for heat and cold injuries, shock, bleeding, blunt force trauma, broken bones, impalement (stabs), eye wounds, etc.

Firearms usage (pistol, rifle, shotgun, black powder), and firearms safety.

Basic CPR certification.  (Must be obtained from an outside source, not from Heartland School).

Arrange for evaluation and critique of privately trained student’s progress by the Head Guro.

Begin privately teaching at least one additional new student who does not attend classes at Heartland School.

Plan and teach at least four full training sessions at Heartland School of Eskrima as Acting Head Guro with the Head Guro in attendance to observe and evaluate.  A teaching outline must be submitted to the Head Guro at least two training sessions prior to each of the scheduled teaching sessions to meet this requirement.

Submit an essay to the Head Guro outlining personal growth through the years spent in training at Heartland School of Eskrima, personal training and teaching philosophies, and future goals where Eskrima is concerned.

Read Jungle Patrol by Vic Hurley.

Level 7 (Full Instructor-Basic)

Completion of all requirements for levels 1 through 6.

Demonstrated proficiency in teaching.

Lock and Block:

Phase 1—Basic 3-count static drill.

Phase 2—Basic 5 to 7-count static drill.

Phase 3—Basic circling drill.

Phase 4—Feints and multiple hits (flip hits, double hits, triple hits).

Phase 5—Combat (hard contact).

Flow Sparring:

Phase 1—Basic static flow sparring.

Phase 2—Basic circling flow sparring.

Phase 3—Espada y Daga.

Phase 4—Fluid movement between ranges, Butt Hits, Short Hits, feints and multiple hits (flip hits, double hits, triple hits).

Phase 5—Combat Sparring (hard contact):

Beginning - Most contact allowed except head hits, hard stabs, and stabs into the head and throat area.  Minimal protective gear is to be worn (headgear, mouthpiece, eye protection and cup (males)).  Low intensity / low power.

Intermediate - All contact permitted, including head hits.  Complete protective gear is to be worn (headgear; mouthpiece; eye protection; elbow, forearm, knee and shin pads; cup (males); gloves).  High intensity / high power.

Advanced - All contact permitted, including head hits.  Minimal protective gear is to be worn (headgear, mouthpiece, eye protection and cup (males).  Light gloves are permitted.  High intensity / medium to high power.

Range Drills:

Phase 1—Basic 3-count drill.

Phase 2—Basic 5 to 7-count drill.

Phase 3—Basic circling drill.

Phase 4—Fluid movement between ranges, Butt Hits, Short Hits, feints, multiple hits (flip hits, double and triple hits, abaniko), Front, Side, Inverted and Roundhouse kicks.

Phase 5—Combat (hard contact).

History Topics–Questions about these topics must be answered as a part of all level testings.

The terms Eskrima, Arnis de Mano, and Kali.

Lineage and major figures in Inayan Eskrima. 

Other major figures in FMA’s including, but not limited to, Richard Bustillo, Angel Cabales, the Canete Brothers and Doce Pares, Felicisimo Dizon, Leo Giron, Antonio Ilustrisimo, Dan Inosanto, Juan LaCosta, Dentoy Revillar, Max Sarmiento, and Floro Villabrille.

History and development of Serrada (Cabales lineage) from the Philippines to the United States, including the legends, stories and traditions.

The role Stockton, California played/plays in the introduction and perpetuation of the FMA’s in America.

Characteristics of the three basic Filipino/Moro swords:  Kampilan, Barong, and Kris.

History of the Philippines, including the occupation of the Philippines by the Spaniards and the Americans, and the role this played in the evolution of the arts.

Basic familiarity with the geographical regions of the Philippine Islands.