How to Make Your Own Eskrima Tire Bag, Island Style
By Marc J. Lawrence

     Just like boxers and karateka, eskrimadors need a way to practice strikes for stick fighting. Regular kicking and punching bags do not work, and also are expensive. One inexpensive solution is to make your own tire bag. Here is one simple design you can use.
     If you can work with tools and do basic carpentry, you can build your own. You will need six car tires-same size, (I used 15 inch) and six 2X2 or six 2x4 and some bolts and screws and set of 4 casters. Build your base first 24 X 24 inches as an X shape brace, notch them so they lock. Run a wood screw to lock them together. Flip this over drill four holes for the four caster wheels then flip it back. Now from the center of the X brace measure 7.5 inches and then bolt on your first upright. Then do the same on the opposite side, and then do the other two. It should look like an X with four fingers sticking out.
     I recommend through bolting but if you have to use drywall screws it will work. Construct another X brace no wider than the tires are. Now install it at knee level. Make a third X brace at 15 inches and install it about 12 inches from the top. If you want a finish put on your stain and varnish and let dry overnight. Mount your first tire on the bottom and stack the next five up. You will have about five foot 8 inches tall.

     Two or three students can practice stick at the same time. It will hold up to Espada Y Daga, Boken sword and staff also. Caution: For edged weapons training, only one student at a time should use the apparatus.
     If you are going to keep it outside, drill the tire sidewalls to drain the water out. This tire bag is available commercially from KRIM, in Cebu City, Philippines.

Marc J. Lawrence is a Filipino Martial Arts practitioner and a member of the Doce Pares Los Angeles Academy in California, USA.