The universality of the concept of using kicks in weapons combat is evident in this illustration from an ancient fencing manual showing the use of a kicking technique in sword fighting. FROM THE BOOK THE MARTIAL ARTS OF RENAISSANCE EUROPE BY DR. SYDNEY ANGLO.
The universality of the concept of using kicks in weapons combat is evident in this illustration from an ancient fencing manual showing the use of a kicking technique in sword fighting. FROM THE BOOK THE MARTIAL ARTS OF RENAISSANCE EUROPE BY DR. SYDNEY ANGLO.

In escrima, arnis and kali weapons fighting, every limb is used in addition to the stick or knife that the fighter is wielding. A description of juego todo (full contact escrima match using live sticks and without armor, practiced in the Philippines as well as in Filipino farming communities in Hawaii and California during the first half of the last century, is included in Dan Inosanto’s book The Filipino Martial Arts, and it reads, “Escrima stick fighting matches were full-contact bouts without the aid of armor, which resulted in death or permanent injury to the participants. They usually used the stick in the right hand and punched with the left hand. The use of the elbow, knee and head were common at close range combat. Combat grappling-like techniques [standing or on the ground] were applied. These included throws, trips, sweeps, take downs, chokes, strangulation, dislocations and locks on the fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, ankles and knees. The feet were used for kicking at the low level.”

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