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Espada Y Daga is Spanish for "sword and dagger", and is one of the most advanced techniques in the Filipino Martial Art of Escrima. It consists of one long weapon, usually a stick or a sword, and a short weapon such as the knife. The long weapon is often used for the first attack or defense move, so that the person can open up the opponent's defences and come close enough to stab with the knife.
This technique is reserved only for the more advanced students of escrima, and is often taught first with just a stick and an open hand. It requires a mastery of the basic principles of single weapon combat, and it also requires more coordination and concentration. It is a mainstay in most of the major styles of Escrima, such as Kalis Ilustrisimo, Lightning Scientific Arnis, and Modern Arnis. In fact, some styles consider it to be the "crown jewel" of their system.
Though it may be difficult at first, eventually those who master the espada y daga can perform alternating attacks at breathtaking speeds, attacks which can no longer be anticipated by the opponent. Also, the master of espada y daga no longer has to rely on predetermined combinations but can completely improvise, targeting different parts of the opponent's body at his choosing. In this way the opponent is literally "chopped to pieces."
Scholars have shown that the technique itself is not borrowed from Spanish fencing. The name is Spanish only because of the more than three-hundred year Spanish colonization of the Philippines. But it is likely that the movements can trace its roots back to the pre-hispanic warrior clans that roamed the various islands of the Philippines. It may have even been used against the Spanish colonizers themselves!
You might ask, but what's the use of the espada y daga technique when facing a criminal with a gun? And it's not everyday you get to carry a long sword and a combat knife with you (unless you want to get arrested). There is no set answer to this question, but it really depends on the individual practitioner of the art. Some learn escrima as one might learn a dance, in pursuit of a martial art which also has a certain deadly beauty to it. Others will insist that it is actually possible to use the espada y daga technique in the context of modern weapons. You might even be able to use the espada y daga technique with your bare hands.
In any case, one should be very responsible in learning the espada y daga and not use it for illegal purposes. Centuries before, the espada y daga was probably used to defend the "barangay" (community) against tribal invaders. It is a technique used for protecting other people, not threatening or intimidating them. Hopefully that aspect of the art can still be continued today.
This technique is reserved only for the more advanced students of escrima, and is often taught first with just a stick and an open hand. It requires a mastery of the basic principles of single weapon combat, and it also requires more coordination and concentration. It is a mainstay in most of the major styles of Escrima, such as Kalis Ilustrisimo, Lightning Scientific Arnis, and Modern Arnis. In fact, some styles consider it to be the "crown jewel" of their system.
Though it may be difficult at first, eventually those who master the espada y daga can perform alternating attacks at breathtaking speeds, attacks which can no longer be anticipated by the opponent. Also, the master of espada y daga no longer has to rely on predetermined combinations but can completely improvise, targeting different parts of the opponent's body at his choosing. In this way the opponent is literally "chopped to pieces."
Scholars have shown that the technique itself is not borrowed from Spanish fencing. The name is Spanish only because of the more than three-hundred year Spanish colonization of the Philippines. But it is likely that the movements can trace its roots back to the pre-hispanic warrior clans that roamed the various islands of the Philippines. It may have even been used against the Spanish colonizers themselves!
You might ask, but what's the use of the espada y daga technique when facing a criminal with a gun? And it's not everyday you get to carry a long sword and a combat knife with you (unless you want to get arrested). There is no set answer to this question, but it really depends on the individual practitioner of the art. Some learn escrima as one might learn a dance, in pursuit of a martial art which also has a certain deadly beauty to it. Others will insist that it is actually possible to use the espada y daga technique in the context of modern weapons. You might even be able to use the espada y daga technique with your bare hands.
In any case, one should be very responsible in learning the espada y daga and not use it for illegal purposes. Centuries before, the espada y daga was probably used to defend the "barangay" (community) against tribal invaders. It is a technique used for protecting other people, not threatening or intimidating them. Hopefully that aspect of the art can still be continued today.
About the Author:
The author is certified escrima instructor who has also written other articles here and another one.
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