For those in lockdown situations and looking for solo training ideas, I recommend the Redonda Drill, a mainstay of Filipino Martial Arts.

The Redonda drill strengthens the forearms, lays the foundations for multiple applications, and does not require a partner! You can do this on your own!

What is Redonda? It is a drill with six circular strikes, three on each side, performed with both sticks.

How to do the drill:

First, tuck the left stick underneath your right arm as depicted in the below photograph:

The starting position for the redonda circular drill. Start by tucking the left stick underneath your right arm.
The starting position for the Redonda drill

Start the redonda drill with the right hand. The target will be to your left. The striking order is as follows:

  1. The right stick;
  2. then the left stick;
  3. finally, the right stick before you tuck it under your left arm.

See the video below:

Then repeat the pattern to your right side, starting with the left hand. The pattern is left, right, left.

Now, it’s time to put the Redonda Drill together into one smooth continuous drill. Start slow and focus on each component. See the below video.

If you have not done this drill before, I highly recommend starting with light sticks before progressing to the big cannons. Start slowly and go from there.

Additional Reading