FMA for Beginners: Key Terms, Striking Angles, Defenses & Footwork Explained

Are you new to Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) and overwhelmed by all the terminology, striking patterns, and footwork? Don’t worry—this video is your ultimate beginner’s guide to FMA, where we break down the key terms, basic striking angles, core footwork, and essential defenses to help you start training with confidence.

Whether you’re training in Kali, Eskrima, or Arnis, mastering the fundamentals is the key to improving quickly and building a strong foundation. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you step by step through everything you need to know to get started in Filipino weapon-based combat.

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What You’ll Learn in This Video:

✅ Essential FMA Terminology – Learn key terms used in Filipino Martial Arts
✅ Basic Striking Angles – Understand how and where to strike efficiently
✅ Core Footwork Patterns – Move with agility and control in combat
✅ Fundamental Defenses – Block and evade attacks effectively

By the end of this video, you’ll have a solid grasp of the core concepts that will help you train smarter and progress faster in Filipino Martial Arts.

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Understanding Filipino Martial Arts Terminology

Before diving into techniques, it’s important to familiarize yourself with common FMA terms. Here are a few key ones we cover in this video:

🔹 Eskrima, Arnis, Kali – Different names for Filipino Martial Arts, often used interchangeably
🔹 Punyo – The butt end of the stick, often used for close-range attacks
🔹 Abanico – A fan-like strike using a quick wrist snap
🔹 Redondo – A circular or looping strike
🔹 Largo, Medio, Corto – The three main fighting ranges (long, medium, and close range)

Mastering these terms will help you understand FMA techniques, drills, and training concepts more effectively.

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Basic Striking Angles in FMA

In Filipino Martial Arts, attacks are often categorized into numbered striking angles. While different styles have slight variations, most follow a similar pattern. Here are the basic striking angles you’ll learn in this video:

1️⃣ Angle 1: Diagonal downward strike from right to left
2️⃣ Angle 2: Diagonal downward strike from left to right
3️⃣ Angle 3: Horizontal strike to the midsection from right to left
4️⃣ Angle 4: Horizontal strike to the midsection from left to right
5️⃣ Angle 5: Straight thrust to the centerline

These angles teach control, targeting, and flow, making them essential for anyone training in Kali, Eskrima, or Arnis.

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Core Footwork in Filipino Martial Arts

Footwork is the foundation of movement in FMA. Without proper footwork, your attacks and defenses will lack stability and efficiency. In this video, we cover:

👣 The Triangle Step (Male & Female) – One of the most important movement patterns in FMA
👣 Lateral (Side-to-Side) Movement – Essential for dodging and positioning
👣 Advancing & Retreating Steps – How to enter and exit safely from attacks
👣 Pivoting – Turning angles to maximize defense and counterattacks

Developing fluid footwork will allow you to move with speed, precision, and balance during drills and sparring.

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Basic Defenses in FMA

A strong defense is just as important as an effective attack. In this video, we go over foundational defensive techniques such as:

🛡️ Blocking – Using your weapon to deflect or absorb attacks
🛡️ Evasion – Moving out of the line of attack to avoid strikes
🛡️ Checking & Trapping – Controlling your opponent’s weapon after blocking
🛡️ Disengagement – Creating space to reset and counterattack

By practicing these fundamental defenses, you’ll develop better reflexes, control, and reaction time in sparring and self-defense scenarios.

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Who Is This Video For?

✔️ Beginners looking to start training in Filipino Martial Arts
✔️ Martial artists from other disciplines wanting to learn FMA fundamentals
✔️ FMA students struggling with striking angles, footwork, or defense
✔️ Anyone interested in stick fighting and weapons-based combat training

If you’re just starting out, this tutorial will help you build a strong foundation and prepare you for more advanced drills and techniques.

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Want More FMA Training?

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