Secrets of Filipino Double Stick Training

By GM. Anton St’James

Philippine Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee
 INTRODUCTION TO
PROGRESSIVE PENGKI PENGKI
(Secrets of Filipino Double Stick Training)
Vol 1.

By
GM. Anton St’James

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 INTRODUCTION TO PROGRESSIVE PENGKI PENGKI
(Secrets of Filipino Double Stick Training – Vol. 1)

by GRANDMASTER ANTON ST’JAMES

___________________________________

All rights reserved.

This book or portion thereof may not be reproduced in
any form whatsoever without the written permission of
the author. Every copy of this book should bear the
genuine signature of the Author otherwise it shall be
considered to have proceeded from an illegal source.

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 DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all those who have contributed

to my growth as a martial artist and especially
Punong Lakan Garitony Nicholas who encouraged me to
develop my Progressive Pengki Pengki System.

Thank you!

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction Page 6

The Author Page 8

Acknowledgements Page 9

Training Progress Page 11

Phase One Training Page 12

Foundation Set One - Drill A Page 16

Foundation Set One - Drill B Page 18

Foundation Set One - Drill C Page 20

Foundation Set One - Drill D Page 23

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INTRODUCTION TO PROGRESSIVE PENGKI PENGKI

Pengki Pengki also known as Sinawali is a method of training in the wide variety of double
stick co-ordination drills of the Filipino Martial Art of Eskrima, Kali, Arnis.
Pengki Pengki drills start out as a simple set of drills designed to teach the basic
co-ordinated movements and relationship between the left and right hands as they weave
the rattan sticks in a variety of patterns that are performed with a training partner. As one
develops skill in the basic patterns a range of concepts and principles are added which take
the basic drills to an ever-increasing level of complexity.
Initially, Pengki Pengki drills require some time spent in learning the patterns however,
once mastered, footwork is added and the drills become a high skill, high intensity activity
which will improve all areas of the Filipino Martial Arts as the movements translate to all
aspects of the art.
It is often thought by some that training these drills is a pointless exercise as they have
little to do with actual combat however, it is my opinion that those who think this are
missing several important key factors. The benefits offered through the practice of Pengki
Pengki will help develop a variety of essential attributes such as;
 Wrist, forearm and shoulder strength
 Grip strength
 Core strength
 Leg strength
 Co-ordination
 Range management
 Timing
 Rhythm
These attributes are all honed through the practice of Pengki Pengki in a highly efficient
manner and will help in the development of skills in other areas of training.
Pengki Pengki offer a great method for warming-up the muscles and getting the mind
ready for training in the Filipino Martial Arts, in-fact, Pengki Pengki training will benefit
almost any form of physical activity as the attributes developed are required in almost all
martial arts.
I hope you enjoy the book but most of all I hope you train the drills outlined within and
begin to appreciate the vast array of possibilities define within the Progressive Penki Penki
System..
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The training methodology I introduce in this book is based on my many years of training,
teaching and research based on the Pengki Pengki sets used within the training framework
of the Cacoy Doce Pares Eskrima System, many of the drills used in the CDP System start
out at quite a complex level.
As an educator I have always been motivated to find the core principles behind complex
skills and to develop systems whereby these skills can be broken down into a methodology
which is both simple and progressive so that anyone who has zero or little experience in
the martial arts is able to understand and develop the core skills faster. This requires a
logical and systematic approach to the training process which I believe, my system
Progressive Pengki Pengki provides.
It is my hope that through training in the Progressive Pengki Pengki System, Instructors
and students of any style or system will be better equipped in understanding the dynamic
process of Pengki Pengki Training, that is the aim of this book.

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THE AUTHOR

Born in England on November 18th 1957 GM. Anton St’James began his martial arts
training in 1971 at the age of 14.
His first involvement was in the Japanese art of Judo, over the years he has trained and
Black Belt ranked in a number of arts including; Japanese and Korean styles of Karate, Kung
-Fu, Tai Chi Chuan, Ju-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Thaiboxing and of course Filipino Martial Arts which
he was first introduced to in 1979.
He has been actively involved in teaching Martial Arts for over 35 years and has
successfully competed in a number of competitions at National & International levels and
appeared on TV, Radio and a number of martial arts publications world-wide.
GM. St’James was the first European to be awarded the rank of 9th Degree Black Belt and
the title Grandmaster by the legendary Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete of the famed Doce Pares
Eskrima, Eskrido, Pangamot School located in Cebu City, Philippines and now sits on the
advisory council for the World Federation Headquarters.
GM. St’James is the Chief Instructor & Executive Director of Cacoy Doce Pares UK,
Executive Director of No Lie Blades UK and owns and operates his own full time Martial
Arts Academy whilst overseeing the school affiliate licensing programme under the name
Masters Academy which he founded in 1999 in Plymouth, UK.
A highly successful martial artist and business owner he is the recipient of several
International Awards and an Inductee and UK Country Director of the prestigious
Philippines Martial Arts Hall of Fame (PMAHoF) and Executive Board Member of the British
Council of Kali, Eskrima, Arnis Instructors.

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GM. St’James holds a number of professional qualifications including BTEC Level
3 Advanced Self-Defence Instructor Award, the Award in Education and Training (formerly
PTTLS), BTEC Level 3 Delivery in Conflict Management, BTEC Level 3 Risk Assessment &
Management.
Currently, GM. St’James teaches out of his Academy in Plymouth as well as conducting
seminars around the globe and writing his series of books and filming instructional DVD’s
on the Filipino Martial Arts.
You can see GM. Anton St’James in action via his popular youtube channel stickmaster2000
where he shares over 200 video clips on a variety of FMA aspects.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would first like to acknowledge and thank my family who have always supported and
continue to support me in all my endeavours.
Next are all those who have contributed to my personal growth as a martial artist. I have
been fortunate enough to have had some highly skilled and knowledgeable instructors
who have helped me understand the inner workings of the skills I train. I have also had
many students who have also helped with my growth by requiring that I look at things
differently, outside of my own point of view, which has often forced me to ask questions
before I can give answers.
Thank you – Ian Busby, Dave Sukhnandan, Master Adam Sukhnandan, Master Peter
O’Toole, Master Fred Daniels, Sensei Alan Hunt, Sensei Alan White, Doshu Yoshinao Nanbu,
Grandmaster Thosaphon Sitiwatjana (Toddy), Jay Dobrin, SGM. Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete,
GM. John Mac, GM. Chuck Canete, Master Matthew Chapman, Master James
Evans-Nicolle, Tony Davis, Ian Hardy, Tom Barlow, Mark Lock, Riccardo Catindig-Stagg, Dan
Boatfield, Hank Hayes and so many others, I would need a book to name them all.
I also have two amazing business partners, Tom Barlow and Shikui (Andy) Wu who help me
keep things real and push me to expand my personal horizons.
Finally, I would like to thank Punong Lakan Garitony Nicholas for his help, support and
encouragement in writing this book and Riccardo Catindig-Stagg for his assistance in the
photographic content and video’s which accompany the books.

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TRAINING PROCESS

During my many years of training, teaching and researching the Filipino Martial Arts I have
always sought to develop a training programme that offers a logical and progressive
methodology for teaching the skills required for students to progress. Within the Pengki
Pengki training programme there are literally thousands of combination possibilities which
can make remembering the various training sets a challenging experience, especially for
the beginner starting out.
Much of my early training involved following along with the instructors movements and,
through constant practice relying on muscle memory to carry me through the many
training sets taught.
As an educator I have always been motivated to find simplicity within the complex and
basic mathematical patterns follows simple, fundamental rules. Basing my personal
training development on this fact of mathematics I have examined the key components of
Pengki Pengki training and condensed everything down to a few core possibilities which
can be expanded outward once understood whilst still maintaining the core process.
The process is simple and progressive and remains the same at whatever level of training.
This simple process makes remembering the process very simple and straight forward and
provides the student with a firm foundation from which to build their skills and knowledge
of Pengk Pengki and translate these into the empty handed aspect of the Filipino Martial
Arts known as Pangamot.

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There are three main training phases in the Progressive Pengki Pengki System
 Phase One : Foundations Level Skills
 Phase Two : Intermediate Level Skills
 Phase Three : Advanced Level Skills
In this book, Introduction to Progressive Pengki Pengki we will cover all Phase One
material.

The basic process remains the same throughout the progressive framework of training.
 All on the High Line
 All on the Low Line
 Split Line High to Low
 Split Line Low to High

 High Line = Stick points at head height

 Low Line = Stick Points at leg height
 Split Line = Combination of the above

PHASE ONE TRAINING

Phase One Training covers all the fundamental skills required for progress through the
system.
The two foundation training sets form the core training concepts of the system. Once these
have been mastered you will be able to move onto the Basic Evolution Sets which will
provide the necessary skills for advancement to the Intermediate Level Training
Programme of the Progressive Pengki Pengki System.

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PHASE ONE – FOUNDATION LEVEL SKILLS
 Foundation Set One
 Foundation Set Two
PHASE ONE – TRAINING EVOLUTIONS
1. Training Evolution One
2. Training Evolution Two
3. Training Evolution Three
4. Training Evolution Four
5. Training Evolution Five
6. Training Evolution Six
7. Training Evolution Seven
8. Training Evolution Eight
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
 Two rattan training sticks (between 26” to 30” inches - 67cm to 77cm in length)
 A diligent training partner
 A suitable place to train

THE TWO MAIN STRIKES

There are two main strikes you will need to familiarize yourself with before starting.
The Wittik – This is a snapping strike which travels outward, makes contact and then
returns on the same line. This strike is also referred to as HALF STRIKE.

The Lobtik – This is a continuous strike which travels outward, makes contact and
continues through the point of impact to the opposite side of the body in one continuous
action. This strike is also referred to as FULL STRIKE.

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IMPACT AREA

Whichever strike you are applying you must make impact, stick to stick using the top three
to four inches of the rattan sticks. Work on delivering the strikes using the tip of the
weapon rather than the hand holding the weapon, the weapon moves ahead of the fist
holding it however, it is the arm and hand which drive the weapon toward the target. This
will ensure that your sticks do not get tied up with each other when they impact. You must
control the movement of the stick, using the top four inches will give you greater control
when the sticks strike each other. You should aim to impact on the center line point
between you and your training partner.
The first two Foundation Training Sets work on these two basic strikes.

PENGKI PENGKI REFERENCE POSITIONS (Chambers)

 Double Open High Line

 Double Open Low Line
 Double Open High Right / Low Left (High/Low Split Line)
 Double Open High Left / Low Right (High/Low Split Line)

THE FOUNDATION TRAINING SETS

The two foundation training sets provide the fundamental skills required for progress
through the system and provide the key training methodology of the Progressive Pengki
Pengki System.

Foundation Set One works on basic single stick strikes in isolation (right & left sides). There
is a complete progressive evolution training process for each of the Level One sets, these
are explained and demonstrated in the book Vol 2. Intermediate Progressive Pengki Pengki.

The Foundation sets also form the fundamental training process for the Long Range Single
Stick System as described in my book Introduction to Eskrima - Long Range Single Stick.

Foundation Set Two begins the process of combined stick weaving using a simple training
framework.

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FOUNDATION SET ONE

Drill A = One Count H

Drill B = Two Count H-L
Drill C = Three Count H-L-H
Drill D = Four Count Box H-L-H-L

FOUNDATION SET TWO

Drill A = 4 Count High Line H-H-H-H

Drill B = 4 Count Low Line L-L-L-L
Drill C = 4 Count Split High to Low Line H-H-L-L
Drill D = 4 Count Split Low to High Line L-L-H-H

Combine both by adding foundation set two after foundation set one.

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FOUNDATION SET ONE - DRILL A

RIGHT LEFT
H H

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 FOUNDATION TRAINING SET ONE DRILL A - 1 COUNT ON THE HIGH LINE H/H

Set A is a half strike on the high line with the right and left stick. He half strike is also known as a wittik, meaning the
weapon retracts on the same line it travels out. This drill can be repeated as much as required. Try to integrate lower body
movement using the forward (female) triangle.

All drills should start

1. 2.
with courtesy. When
adopting the high
open guard the stick
points should be
pointing upward this
is often known as
Heaven position.
Stand with the right
leg forward.

Start all drills with the salute (training courtesy) Adopt the high open guard position

When connecting 4.
3.
stick to stick make
sure that you are
contacting with the
upper end of the
sticks.

Once the sticks meet

retract back to the
shoulder chamber.

Right forehand half strike on the high line Left forehand half strike on the high line

5. Repeat the drill back

6.
and forth as many
times as required.

Use full body

mechanics not just
arm movement.

Integrate footwork as
soon as possible this
will improve
mechanics and flow.

Right forehand half strike on the high line Left forehand half strike on the high line

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FOUNDATION SET ONE - DRILL B

RIGHT LEFT
H - L H - L

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 FOUNDATION TRAINING SET ONE DRILL B - 2 COUNT ON THE H/L SPLIT LINE

Set B is a full strike on the high line with the right stick followed by a full strike on the low line. This is repeated with the left
stick. When executing the right and left high strikes your stick should move through the centre line and toward the opposite
shoulder before executing the low strikes which should end in open high guard position. Repeat as many times as required.

From high open

1. 2.
chamber execute high
forehand full strike
with the right stick.

Make sure the sticks

pass through centre
line and toward
opposite shoulder.

Adopt the high open guard position Right high forehand full strike

Immediately continue
3. 4.
the movement of the
stick to the low line
backhand passing
through centre line
and back to high open
chamber position.

Execute high left

forehand full strike.

Right low backhand full strike Left high forehand full strike

5. Immediately follow
6.
through with low left
backhand strike and
through to open
chamber position.

Repeat drill as many

times as required.

Left low backhand full strike Return to high open guard and repeat

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FOUNDATION SET ONE - DRILL C

RIGHT LEFT
H - L - H H - L - H

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 FOUNDATION TRAINING SET ONE DRILL C - 3 COUNT ON THE H/L/H SPLIT LINE

Set c is a full strike on the high line with the right stick followed by a half strike on the low line followed by a backhand full
strike on the high line. This is then repeated with the left stick. High forehand full strike, low backhand half strike, high
backhand full strike. H-L-H

Fig 1. From high open

1. 2.
chamber execute high
forehand full strike
with the right stick
fig 2.

Adopt the high open guard position Right high forehand full strike

Immediately continue
3. 4.
the movement of the
stick to the low line
backhand half strike
fig 3, this is followed
by a high backhand
full strike fig 4.

Right low backhand half strike Right high backhand full strike

5. From high open

6.
chamber fig 5.
execute high
forehand full strike
with the left stick
fig 6.

High open chamber left high forehand full strike

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 FOUNDATION TRAINING SET ONE DRILL C - 3 COUNT ON THE H/L/H SPLIT LINE

Immediately continue
7. 8.
the movement of the
stick to the low line
backhand half strike
fig 7. followed by a
high backhand full
strike fig 8. and back
to open high
chamber fig 9.

Left low backhand half strike Left high backhand full strike

9.

Open high chamber

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 FOUNDATION SET ONE - DRILL D

RIGHT LEFT
H - L - H - L H - L - H - L

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 FOUNDATION TRAINING SET ONE DRILL D - 4 COUNT ON THE H/L/H/L SPLIT LINE

Set D, 4 count is a full strike on the high line with the right stick followed by a half strike on the low line followed by a back-
hand full strike on the high line followed by a forehand low half strike.

Fig 1. From high open

1. 2.
chamber execute high
forehand full strike
with the right stick
fig 2.

Adopt the high open guard position Right high forehand full strike

3. Immediately continue
4.
the movement of the
stick to the low line
backhand half strike
fig 3, this is followed
by a high backhand
full strike fig 4.

Right low backhand half strike Right high backhand full strike

5. Followed by a low
6.
forehand half strike
Fig 5. Back to high
open chamber fig 6.

Low forehand half strike High open chamber

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 FOUNDATION TRAINING SET ONE DRILL D - 4 COUNT ON THE H/L/H/L SPLIT LINE

Fig 7. From high open

7. 8.
chamber execute high
forehand full strike
with the left stick
followed by a low
backhand half strike
fig 8.

Adopt the high open guard position Right high forehand full strike

9. Continue with a high

10.
backhand full strike
Fig 9. followed by a
low forehand half
strike fig 10.

Return to high open

chamber fig 11.

Right low backhand half strike Right high backhand full strike

11.

High open chamber

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