Balintawak Eskrima Fundamentals
"Higug-maa ni kay atoa kini!"
As you "AGAK", you will gradually understand your basic lessons and improve your skills. So relax, be humble by giving yourself this lifetime chance, and be coachable.
Guro Rolly VillaTo advance, you must first be BRILLIANT WITH YOUR BASICS
01. Learn our Etiquettes
1. Pre-register online before and arrive early. If the Dojo is in session, please sit at the bench and observe proper protocols. 2. Pagpupugay - "Osu" and Balintawak bow 3. Essential Hygiene (Shower before practice, wear deodorant if you can.) 4. Always wear your uniform or T-Shirt. 5. Safety first. Cut your nails and no clutter of practice weapons. 7. Just leave if you can't be in harmony with anyone.
02. THE WAY OF THE STICK
1. Treat the stick as a stick—but train as if it were a blade. 2. Know your weapon—every part, every function. 3. Build good habits—listen and follow your teacher. 4. Learn the Forms—proper placement, movement, and control.
03. THE ART OF HITTING
Hitting in Balintawak is not force—it is timing, placement, and intent. Power comes from coordination (body, shoulder, elbow, wrist), not strength. Every strike is: Measured by distance Guided by rhythm Directed to precise targets A true hit is minimal, accurate, and decisive— delivered at the right moment, with just enough force. In essence: Don’t hit harder—hit smarter.
04. BALANCE AND FOOTWORKS
Offense: 40/60 weight distribution Defense: 60/40 for stability and control Grouping/Fighting Stance: the foot follows the weapon—where the stick leads, the foot steps forward
05. LEARN 12 BASIC STRIKES (7 HITTING; 5 THRUSTINGS).
Master the 12 Basic Strikes—7 hits, 5 thrusts. Train with precision—know the exact zones and targets. Integrate body movement and footwork for proper handling, control, and execution..
06. CHARACTER AND PERSISTENCY ARE EVERYTHING!
Character and persistence are everything. How hungry are you to learn? Do you take notes, listen well, and train with purpose? Build your habits. Follow a routine. Have a clear direction. Your growth in the art reflects your discipline in life.
LESSON PLAN 2026 "The Palakaw & Padagan Teaching Methodology"
a BLUEPRINT in building our Balintawak Canada project.
- JANUARY
--- No Class ---
- FEBRUARY - The "Palakaw" Phase
* How to Bow and some Dojo Etiquettes
* Train the eyes, hand, body movements, and footwork coordination
* Exercises - Flexibility, Breathing, Forms, and Kata (Offense and Defense)
* The Art of Holding the Stick, and its functional Parts
* The Integral Role of Stick Placement and Maneuvering Synchronized with Body Movements in Balintawak Close-Quarter Combat
* Kinetic linking or sequential energy transfer - Learning the mechanics of Balintawak striking which involve a sequential acceleration of body movements, with the final impact delivering the maximum power - Training the Wrists - Arms - Elbows - Shoulder flexibility, Hips, Knees, and pivoting coordination<br>
* Balance (50/50, 60/ 40) and regular checking<br>
* Principle of Triangular Concept in Footworks,
* The Crosshair and Quadrant Concept in close-quarter combat (CQC) is a fundamental strategy used to simplify the principles of defense and counterattack
- MARCH
Core Principles & Training Progression
- Timing, Rhythm & Cuentada Mind
Timing is not taught—it is felt. Through drills like Sinawali and the rhythm of folk movement, students learn to flow, listen, and move with intention. -
Sinawali Drills
Foundational coordination drills for stick and mano-mano. -
“Simhota Ko Dong!”
Balance, undayag, and the mechanics of offense and defense. -
Elusive Entry (“Out of Sight, Out of Mind”)
Use angles, blind spots, and level changes to disrupt perception and create openings. -
12 Basic & Power Strikes
Precision, structure, and controlled force. -
Shadow Fighting (Kata)
Solo practice of strikes 1–12—integrating offense and defense. -
Quadrant Targeting
Identifying openings in high (heaven), mid (center), and low (earth) levels. -
Proximity & Range
Understanding and adapting to distance in real engagement.
- APRIL
Intro to Group # 1 - Building the Foundations of Combat Readiness, some Habits and Hitting Principles
Striking in Balintawak: rhythmic, precise, intentional.Enganyo—the art of drawing in, luring, and deceiving—is not just a trick. It is the byproduct of a subtle cuentada mind. A mind that calculates in the moment, that feels the tempo and understands when to invite and when to strike.
When the whole body is trained to move with purpose, timing, and control, the gap is closed before it can be measured.
Detecting Distance and Fighting Range
- Balintawak’s system demands that fighters quickly identify range:
- Long-range (Largo Mano) – Strikes from a safe distance, usually with tip-based contact.
- Medium-range (Medio) – The core range, where offense and defense are equally accessible.
- Close-range (Corto) – Where trapping, butting, and hand-to-hand manipulations occur.
- Range awareness allows a fighter to dictate engagement and maximize efficiency.
* Intro to Holding, lifting, elbow placement, and close quarter combat stick hitting
* Intro to pushing - distance checking and flexibility
* Intro to left-right coordination - punching and slapping, clipping and elbow
* Intro to managing - setup for disarm, punching, locking, etc
* Intro to thumb judo, elbow breaking, locking, throwing, etc
* Intro to Group 2 drills with emphasis on head movement and pungo, pukpok, gasgas
When the whole body is trained to move with purpose, timing, and control, the gap is closed before it can be measured.
- Long-range (Largo Mano) – Strikes from a safe distance, usually with tip-based contact.
- Medium-range (Medio) – The core range, where offense and defense are equally accessible.
- Close-range (Corto) – Where trapping, butting, and hand-to-hand manipulations occur.
- Range awareness allows a fighter to dictate engagement and maximize efficiency.
- MAY -- Friend to Friend Saturday
Intro to Group # 2 - Mastery of the Other End of the Stick - The Butt
* The mechanics of Parrying - both as redirection and preparation for counter attack, Head Movement, "Hupo", "Wahing", "Punyo", "Pukpok", "Gasgas"
* Learning the Defensive Dodge - Waving Back Defense to Recoil for Counter and Opposite Head Reaction as a coordinated movement that not only evades the attack but also positions the body optimally. This head movement works in tandem with the elbow’s redirection to deflect the opponent’s force.
* Lifting and Clearing with Butting Defense even with Elbow
* defense and counter against butting attacks
* Intro to different hitting (redondo, otso-otso, tutsada, saltada, abanico, witik, dagit, labtik, latos)
* Basic Set-up, Application, Execution, Sequence, Variations, Test
- JUNE
Intro to Group # 3 - Master of the Other End of the Stick - Thrusting
* Into to Tutsada, Duslak, Luba, Tastas, Banda-banda, Sungkit,
* Intro to Thrusting Defense (sense of proximity - short, mid, long range)
* Intro to Disarm using thrusting, Set-up, Applications, Sequence, Test
* Exploring more Variations
* The Art of Banda-banda
* The Mechanics of Sungkit
* Learning Kulob, Hayang, Luag, Hugot, (protecting the centerline)
- JULY
Group # 4
HITTING - Handling, Cabra, Bangil, Abanico Defense & Offense
* High emphasis on the Left Hand, Pakgang, Checking, Undayag, Fast Movement of the Elbow
* Decisive at the right timing and eyes quick to respond on combative combinations
* Cuentada lansis and economy of moves
- AUGUST
Group # 5 -
* Defense Against Clipping, Pulling, Handling, Holding and Punching
* Emphasis on being relax and more sensitivity
* More Combinations from group 2 so react quickly on head and stomach, center attacks and side strikes,
* Careful on Disarm Tricky Plastada, Lihok, Kuha and Palusot
* Attention to balance, sweeping, stumping, locking and takedowns
- SEPTEMBER - "The Padagan Phase" - The Operational - Tactical Approach
In this last quarter phase of our training. We will apply the Pressure Cooker methodology in close-quarters combat (CQC) wherein we simulate our training as designed to simulate intense, high-stress scenarios where decision-making, reactions, and performance are tested under pressure. It emphasizes creating a "high-pressure environment" that mimics real-life combat conditions, requiring participants to operate effectively in chaotic, confined, and rapidly evolving situations.
- Building resilience aims to condition fighters to stay calm, focused, and deliberate under pressure. This is achieved through repeated exposure to high-pressure drills to build:
- Confidence in skills.
- Emotional control.
- Tactical decision-making.
- Confidence in skills.
- Emotional control.
- Tactical decision-making.
“Ayaw pag-una kay maulahi ka. Mas maayo pang maulahi ka kay maka-apas ka pa.”
— GM Monie Velez
GM Monie Velez once asked me a simple but piercing question:
“Kung nag-drive ka, mag-hugot ba imong mga kaunoran? Gikupot ba nimo og kusog ang manibela? Gipataas ba nimo imong mga siko?”
Driving, like fighting, reveals the truth about decision-making. When you tense up, you narrow your vision. When you anticipate too much, you choke control. And when fear rushes you, speed abandons you.
In Balintawak, anticipation is the enemy of timing.
Do not rush to be first—because being first often makes you late. Better to arrive “late,” because from there, you can still catch up.
To learn well, your eyes must be laser-focused on the opponent, not on imagined outcomes. Relaxation sharpens perception. Calmness preserves speed. When the body is loose and the mind is quiet, reaction becomes effortless.
Just like driving:
* Relax your grip.
* Lower your elbows.
* Gain better perspective and see the whole road ahead.
Only then will speed, timing, and control work with you—never against you.
- OCTOBER
Mastery on How to "Agak" - Integration with FMA Systems like Combat Judo, Knife Fighting Skills, and Mano-Mano (Integration of Striking, Trapping, Breaking and Takedowns)
* Dirty boxing is designed for close-range engagements where traditional long-range strikes are less effective.
* Techniques prioritize speed, efficiency, and adaptability in confined or dynamic environments
•Striking: Punches, elbows, hammer fists, and palm strikes are combined to create rapid, unpredictable combinations.
•Trapping: Utilizes hand and arm control to immobilize or neutralize an opponent’s offensive capabilities, often flowing into strikes or joint manipulations.
* Destructions (Gunting)
• A key principle in dirty boxing is targeting the opponent’s limbs (e.g., hands, arms) to incapacitate their ability to attack.
• Using knuckles, elbows, or fists to “destroy” incoming strikes or limbs.
• Example: Striking an opponent’s punching hand with an elbow or counter-punching into the biceps.* Economy of Motion
• Dirty boxing emphasizes efficiency, avoiding flashy or overly complex techniques.
• Movements are short and direct, ensuring minimal telegraphing and quicker execution.
• The philosophy is to strike hard and fast while conserving energy.* Continuous Flow (Tulisan)
• The system relies on maintaining a constant flow of attacks, counters, and movements to overwhelm the opponent.
• Transitions between offensive and defensive actions are seamless, ensuring continuous pressure.* Use of Unorthodox Strikes
- Techniques go beyond standard boxing punches (jab, cross, hook, uppercut) to include:• Elbows: Used for cutting, breaking, and close-range striking. • Hammer Fists: Effective for downward strikes to the head or collarbone.• Backfists: Quick strikes from unconventional angles.• Shoulder Bumps: Used to destabilize or distract the opponent.* Limb Control and Grappling Integration• Dirty boxing incorporates grappling elements such as clinching, joint locks, and off-balancing techniques.• Control of the opponent’s arms or head is used to limit their ability to strike or counter.• Clinching positions often transition into strikes (e.g., elbows, knees) or throws.* Angling and Positional Dominance• Practitioners constantly seek superior angles to attack and evade counters.• Side-stepping or pivoting is used to position oneself advantageously while keeping the opponent off balance.* Weaponized Hands• Hands are treated as tools for both offense and defense, emulating weapon principles from other FMA disciplines.• Techniques mimic the fluidity and precision of stick or blade work, ensuring strikes are deliberate and effective.* Real-World Application• Dirty boxing focuses on practical techniques that work in real-life situations, including:• Street Fights: Quick, decisive movements for self-defense.• Confined Spaces: Techniques that are effective in elevators, hallways, or crowded areas.• Improvised Weapons: Integration with small weapons or everyday objects, such as pens or keys.* Psychological and Physical Disruption• Strikes are designed to disrupt the opponent’s rhythm, balance, and focus.• Techniques like hitting vulnerable areas (eyes, throat, groin) are emphasized for self-defense.* Offense as Defense• Dirty boxing follows the philosophy of preemptive action: attacking to prevent the opponent from attacking.• Offensive actions are often used as a form of defense, such as striking while simultaneously blocking.* Tactical Awareness• Situational awareness is integral, with practitioners trained to read the opponent’s movements and adapt dynamically.• Awareness extends to potential environmental factors, such as obstacles or additional threats.• Practitioners can seamlessly transition between armed and unarmed techniques.
* Identifying Vulnerable Targets - Switches and Timers• Strikes are directed at high-value targets to maximize efficiency, including: • Eyes, Nose, Jaw, Throat, Solar plexus, Groin, etc
* Adaptability and Improvisation• Integrated Balintawak and Dirty boxing trains practitioners to adapt to unpredictable scenarios and leverage unconventional techniques when necessary. Improvisation is key, ensuring that practitioners can respond effectively in dynamic situations.
* Integration with Weapons Training• Practice transitioning between unarmed techniques and armed combat, such as knife or stick fighting.
• A key principle in dirty boxing is targeting the opponent’s limbs (e.g., hands, arms) to incapacitate their ability to attack.
• Using knuckles, elbows, or fists to “destroy” incoming strikes or limbs.
• Example: Striking an opponent’s punching hand with an elbow or counter-punching into the biceps.
• Dirty boxing emphasizes efficiency, avoiding flashy or overly complex techniques.
• Movements are short and direct, ensuring minimal telegraphing and quicker execution.
• The philosophy is to strike hard and fast while conserving energy.
• The system relies on maintaining a constant flow of attacks, counters, and movements to overwhelm the opponent.
• Transitions between offensive and defensive actions are seamless, ensuring continuous pressure.
- Techniques go beyond standard boxing punches (jab, cross, hook, uppercut) to include:
- NOVEMBER
Preparing for Grading - More Intense Training
Students must prepare:
- knowledge of code of conduct
- meaning of Cebuano employed words
- explain some words
- principles of Offense and Defense
- history of Balintawak
- fundamentals of Balintawak
- philosophy of our Integrated Balintawak
- 12 strikes, Kata (defense/counter)
- Forms Checking - explain
- Balance Checking and some surprise questions
- DECEMBER
--- No Class - Christmas Break ---
* No Training until the first of February.
* First Week of January is a Reset, with New Year's Resolution in mind, a GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out), Networking, and long range planning time.
FOR WHOM BALINTAWAK CANADA IS FOR AND NOT FOR
A Living Art of Close-Quarter Combat
Balintawak is not a collection of techniques.
It is a living system—rooted in Cebuano language, culture, and combat logic.
At its core, Balintawak moves through four inseparable processes:
Plastada – the setup and preparation
Lihok – movement and positioning
Kuha – skill, tactic, or applied technique
Lusot – execution, resolution, and exit
These four are dynamically linked, like a network.
When one is weak, the rest inevitably suffer.
When all four align, Balintawak becomes precise, efficient, and decisive.
Why Cebuano Matters
Many Balintawak concepts cannot be fully translated into English.
Words like plastada, kuha, and lusot carry meaning that includes timing, intent, pressure, and feeling—elements best understood through our native Cebuano language.
This is why Balintawak is most faithfully taught and preserved in Cebuano, the language of its founders.
Close-Quarter, Single-Stick Combat
Balintawak is an intensely close-quarter (corto) fighting art, centered on the single stick.
During traditional agak and palakaw drills, you may hear expressions such as:
“Simhota ko, Dong!” – Smell me!
“Suyopi” – Draw your opponent in
“Undayagi” – Create the opening
“Dakdaki ug tagaki lang gud” – Apply pressure and finish cleanly
These are not slogans—they are instructions for feeling, distance, and intent, instantly understood by seasoned practitioners.
A Methodical Path of Learning
Balintawak is taught through five structured groupings of attacks, designed by our predecessors to ensure a gradual, systematic, and responsible progression.
This method preserves:
Correct setup
Intelligent movement
Functional technique
Clear execution
No shortcuts. No guesswork. Just proper formation.
Learn Balintawak at Its Source
To understand Balintawak, one must experience its language, logic, and lineage.
Ask your nearest Balintawak instructor
Or contact us to begin your training journey at 416.908.5453 or email us at pugaypo@balintawakcanada.ca
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