Escrima > Escrima Stick Techniques > Checking Hand

The "Checking Hand"

We've gotten a number of emails and YouTube comments regarding our sumbrada video and explanation. Some people have claimed that the checking hand can be used as we say it cannot. Hopefully the video below will help to further clear this up:

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For the CORRECT checking hand position, see this video: Sumbrada Explained

The "checking hand" CAN be used, and it CAN help in some situations to stop and/or control the opponent's weapon bearing limb. However, it CANNOT be used the way most people practice it in reality...when the attacker is really trying to hit you, and following through. If the checking hand is placed in such a way that it either stops the opponent's arm or is out of the path of the incoming stick (by initial position or deflection), it can work. But, most people do not practice this way!

The problem is that sticks move FAST, they have momentum, and they keep moving even when the hand is hit. Although the above video footage is poor, you should be able to see this concept demonstrated. The use of the checking hand as is shown in this video for instance, will not work in reality. No one attacks that way (not ever following through), and the checking hand would get nailed in almost every instance shown. It is possible that these people do not have their hands hit in sparring, but if so, it's only because they don't spar the way they drill. If you put your hand in the path of a fast moving stick, it will get hit!

This can be discussed here.

Escrima > Escrima Techniques > Checking Hand