For beginners using a cylindrical stick, which in Kali, represents a knife or machete can often be difficult in their first few days or weeks of training. They do not know where the "edge is" and they often turn their wrist and create a "wiping motion" instead of a slash or hack.
So, instead of giving a new student a pair of sticks and asking them to do unfamiliar patterns like Ikis, Uno Dos Quatro, Upward Eight...etc. I give them a training sword. The training sword immediately "reduces corrections" in hand position and wrist structure. Everyone can see where the edge is on a training sword. There is no wiping or curling of the weapon hand.
The training sword gives positive feed back allowing the student to self correct. Within a very short period of time (minutes not hours) the student becomes EDGE AWARE. He/she knows where the sharp edge of he blade is, they know how to slash or hack. Patterns become easier to learn because the student know where the edge is.
Once the student understands EDGE AWARENESS they are given a pair of Kali Sticks and most often they correctly replicate the proper hand and wrist structure and quickly start their journey toward mastery in the arts.
Training swords are excellent training tools to reinforce EDGE AWARENESS. Get yourself a pair!
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