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."
It seems that even though the name of the technique is Spanish (because of the Spanish colonization of the Philippines for more than three-hundred years), the technique itself is pre-hispanic in origin. It is possible that native warrior clans were already using and practicing the espada y daga long before the Spanish ever arrived. They may even have used this technique on the Spanish soldiers they fought with!
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.
Whatever the motivation, a constant reminder is that one should be a responsible individual when learning such an art. The best way to win in a fight is to just completely avoid it in the first place. However, when unsought danger threatens your life or the people you love, then such a technique may come in handy for effective self-defense.
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."
It seems that even though the name of the technique is Spanish (because of the Spanish colonization of the Philippines for more than three-hundred years), the technique itself is pre-hispanic in origin. It is possible that native warrior clans were already using and practicing the espada y daga long before the Spanish ever arrived. They may even have used this technique on the Spanish soldiers they fought with!
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.
Whatever the motivation, a constant reminder is that one should be a responsible individual when learning such an art. The best way to win in a fight is to just completely avoid it in the first place. However, when unsought danger threatens your life or the people you love, then such a technique may come in handy for effective self-defense.
About the Author:
The writer is certified escrima instructor who has also written other articles like this one and this one.