Basic Attack & Defence

Becedario Attack

The name for the basics, commonly known as "Becedario" or "Visidario", is derived from the Spanish "Abecedario" meaning ABC’s. In this context it’s the basics, or “ABC’s“, of fighting. With a single weapon we'll begin with 12 essential angles, covering the common lines an enemy may strike—or you may deliver.

12 Angles

1. High Horizontal Fronthand
2. High Horizontal Backhand
3. Center Horizontal Fronthand
4. Center Horizontal Backhand
5. Center Underhand Thrust
6. Low Horizontal Backhand
7. Low Horizontal Fronthand
8. Upward Diagonal/ High Backhand Thrust
9. Upward Diagonal/ High Overhand Thrust
10. Downward Overhead
11. Downward Diagonal Fronthand
12. Downward Diagonal Backhand

*Note that Angles 8 and 9 have two actions. Getting into position for a backhand or overhand thrust can include diagonal slashing, so I thought it appropriate to include within those angles*

Practice delivering these strikes in sequence. The striking surface of the stick is like the edge of a blade, it's position would be the surface of the stick that is in line with the flat face of your fist. Try not to lean forward as you strike, doing so makes your head an easier target for the opponent. It's important you visualize your targets so you can strike with intent, and not be simply going through the motions.

Advancing Attacks

With the Open Triangle footwork drill, go through the attacks in order starting with your dominant hand side then practice with your offhand side. To strike your opponent you must be able to reach them, and that often means you must advance. In timing your strike with your step, keep in mind that your strike should land right before your foot hits the ground. This is to minimize telegraphing, giving any indication of our strikes to the opponent.

The Core of Becedario Defense

To understand the core of defensive techniques, we'll be utilizing the double stick Sinawali to address attacks from Angles 1 and 2. It is a three part sequence: block, check, strike. The first stick blocks the oncoming weapon, the second targets the opponent's hand or arm to get it out of the way, and the first stick returns deliver a strike to a vital target.

1. Angle 1: Left High

An opponent delivering an Angle 1 attack from their Right side is aimed for your Left side. Your sticks will be positioned on your Right side.

2. Angle 2: Right High

An opponent delivering an Angle 2 attack from their Left side is aimed for your Right side. Your sticks will be positioned on your Left side.

Becedario Defense

Here we'll return to using a single weapon, remember the sequence: block, check, strike. They difference of course is that your offhand is empty. It is not used to engage the opponent’s hand, trapping for control or getting out of the way. This action is called a “check”, and can also be used to grab and redirect the opponent.

We'll be going over these defensive techniques in Medio, or mid range, where the opponent's head is just close enough to be struck with the top third of the weapon's length. The following is written in the perspective that both you and the opponent are right handed. Even so, the principles of the techniques are the same and can be easily adapted for left handed practitioners, and practitioners of opposite sides.

Remember, we'll be using Open Triangle footwork for these techniques.

• Angle 1: Left High

Step to the Right and turn your shoulders to the Left to block, your weapon held vertically. With your offhand, reach from under your main hand to halt the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to clear the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 2 strike.



• Angle 2: Right High

Step to the Left and turn your shoulders to the Right to block, your weapon held vertically. With your offhand in parallel with your main hand, halt the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to clear the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 1 strike.



• Angle 3: Left Center

Step to the Right and turn your shoulders to the Left to block, your weapon held vertically. With your offhand, reach over your main hand to halt the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to clear the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 9 diagonal strike.



• Angle 4: Right Center

Step to the Left and turn your shoulders to the Right to block, your weapon held vertically. With your offhand in parallel with your main hand, halt the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to clear the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 1 strike.



• Angle 5: Center Thrust

There are two basic options for defending Angle 5

If your Right foot is forward: Step to the Right and turn your shoulders to the Left to push the oncoming weapon off trajectory, your weapon held vertically. With your offhand, reach over your main hand to halt the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to clear the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 9 diagonal strike.



If your Left foot is forward: Step to the Left and turn your shoulders to the Right to push the oncoming weapon off trajectory, your weapon held vertically. With your offhand, halt the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to clear the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 1 strike.



• Angle 6: Right Low

Step to the Left and turn your shoulders to the Right to block, your weapon held tip down. With your offhand in parallel with your main hand, halt the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to clear the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 8 diagonal strike.



• Angle 7: Left Low

Step to the Right and turn your shoulders to the Left to to block, your weapon held tip down. With your offhand, reach over your main hand to halt the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to clear the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 9 diagonal strike.



• Angle 8: Left Upward Diagonal

Step to the Right and turn your shoulders to the Left to block, your weapon held horizontally. With your offhand, reach over your main hand to halt the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to clear the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 9 diagonal strike.



• Angle 8: Right High Thrust

Step to the Left and turn your shoulders to the Right to push the oncoming weapon off trajectory, your weapon held vertically. With your offhand in parallel with your main hand, halt the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to clear the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 1 strike.



• Angle 9: Right Upward Diagonal

Step to the Left and turn your shoulders to the Right to block, your weapon held horizontally. With your offhand, reach in parallel with your main hand to halt the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to clear the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 8 diagonal strike.



• Angle 9: Left High Thrust

Step to the Right and turn your shoulders to the Left to push the oncoming weapon off trajectory, your weapon held vertically. With your offhand, reach from under your main hand to halt the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to clear the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 2 strike.



• Angle 10: Top of Head

There are two basic options for defending Angle 5

If your Left leg is forward: Step to the Left, your weapon held diagonally above your head, your weapon hand's palm facing yourself. With your offhand, reach in front of your main hand to push away the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to keep the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 12 strike.



If your Right leg is forward: Step to the Right, your weapon held diagonally above your head, your weapon hand's knuckles facing yourself. With your offhand, reach in front of your main hand to push away the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to keep the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 11 strike.



• Angle 11: Left Downward Diagonal

Step to the Right, your weapon held diagonally above your head, your weapon hand's knuckles facing yourself. With your offhand, reach in front of your main hand to push away the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to keep the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 11 strike.



• Angle 12: Right Downward Diagonal

Step to the Left, your weapon held diagonally above your head, your weapon hand's palm facing yourself. With your offhand, reach in front of your main hand to push away the opponent's hand. Use your offhand to keep the opponent's weapon out of the way as you counter with an Angle 12 strike.

The basics are what we fall back on most readily when under pressure, drill these techniques so that they become natural to you. If training solo, visualise your opponent and strike at your targets with precision. To develop further, combine with creative footwork and visualise a fight, maneuvering yourself around the opponent and countering their attacks.