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The abanico corto drill demonstrated is a one-person flow drill. This requires the other partner to comply and respond with angle 1 and 2 attacks.

As a developmental drill, I love this one.

The abanico corto drill teaches you two things:

First, it teaches you how to do abanico corto with both hands against a right-handed player.

Secondly, you learn how to switch hands from one side to the other when doing abanico corto.

A couple of notes on this drill:

  1. The defender holds the stick in his right hand. As a result, the driver is practicing abanico corto against a right-handed player.
  2. Regardless of which hand you hold the stick, you will initiate the action with a #6 thrust.

Tip: When doing abanico corto, ensure your weapon arm moves the defender’s stick arm out of the way.

For example, see how my left arm moved Dref’s weapon hand out of the way. His head is now wide open for the abanico corto technique. See below.

Ditto for the right vs right version depicted below:

Moving the weapon hand out of the way ensures you don’t eat the stick, an undesirable outcome for you!

Tip on switching hands: after executing the abanico corto, use your punyo to move the other player’s weapon. This motion is similar to the Karate downward block. Then switch hands.

See below:

When would I use the abanico corto technique? I would use this technique against attacks that is at least shoulder height. I definitely would not use it against lower-line attacks. For example, I would not use abanico corto against a waist-high attack.

Do 10 repetitions of the entire drill, and then let your partner take his/her turn. 

Have fun!

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