Single Sinawali

Single Sinawali is a drill from the system of martial arts known as Modern Arnis.  We use it as a way to introduce students to using the sticks.

The way we do the drill is fairly simple: touch your right handed stick to your partner’s right handed stick up high, then down low.  Then do the same thing with your left hand.  Once you’ve got that pattern, try adding a little footwork.  Try keeping your non-striking stick up, just as you would keep your non-striking hand up during punching drills.

Is there more to this drill than providing an introduction to sticks?  Of course.  After students have gained some competency with the drill, then they can move on to breaking the pattern and going into an actual attack.  This can be done taking turns, or whenever the mood strikes.