Basic Stances and Postures in Arnis

7 Arnis Stances
Basically, speaking there are 7 stances in Arnis. Understanding the importance of the stances and how to
do them can help you master Arnis and its strikes.

1. Ready Stance

 This is the most common used stance when you are standing at ease. You can use this stance in
tournaments and fights before you start engaging with the opponent.
 In this stance you need to stand with your toes pointing forward and your feet parallel to your
shoulders. Standing with your feet apart gives you balance so that you can move to the next
position and attack your opponent.
 You need to keep your knees straight and your whole body facing forward.
 Your hands should be on the waist level either you are holding two batons or one with another
weapon.

2. Attention Stance

 This stance is different from the ready stance, since you stand with your feet forming a 45
degrees angle. Your torso and the legs should be facing forward while keeping the knees
straight. In this stance, you will stand with the heels close to each other and the shoulders
dropped to the sides. Both hands should be kept at the waist level. This attention stance is
usually used for courtesy in preparation for a fight at the beginning before sparring.

3. Forward Stance

 As you start from the ready stance, you will have to move one foot to the front. You will have to
do this until your toes and your knee are in line with each other. Your toes, torso and waist will
be facing forward, hence the name of the stance. Make sure that your foot is not too much
extended or the body is too low, otherwise it will be hard to maneuver or attack from this
position. You should be able to distribute the weight of the body equally on both legs. There are
two types of forward stances. The right foot stance or the left foot one, depending on the foot
you are extending to the front. It is usually used in striking or blocking techniques.

4. Oblique Stance

 This stance starts again from the ready stance. In this stance, you will start moving one foot in
45 degrees angle until the toes and the knees are in line with each other.
 The foot is moved forward away from the body to reach the right position. Your moving foot is
called the lead foot.
 You will have to move your body in the same direction of the lead foot. The waist and the torso
are kept moving to the front along with the toes.
 It is essential not to extend your feet too much to the front or lower your body too much
otherwise it will be hard to move and maneuver. And it is critical to keep your body weight
equally distributed on both legs. Again, the oblique stance can be right or left foot led
depending on the foot you choose to move. This stance is used in blocking and evasion.
5. Straddle Stance

 You should start from the ready stance then move either the left or right foot for a distance of 2
feet to the left or right direction. This is done until both lower legs are now perpendicular to the
ground.
 The whole body, the legs and the toes should be facing forward to make sure that this stance is
a success.
 Again, it is crucial to make sure that the feet are not too extended as this makes you in a
position where you are unable to move properly in order to attack or defend.
 The name of this stance is due to the resemblance to the position a horse rider would
maintain. This is why it is also sometimes called the Horseback Riding Stance.
 This stance is one of the most efficient stances used to block the strikes especially to the
side of the body.
6. Side Stance

 This is very close to the straddle stance as you again start from the steady stance then
move your feet either to the right or the left.
 However, in this position the moving foot will be kept perpendicular to the ground while
the other leg would be extended.
 This Arnis stances somehow looks as if you are about to engage in a side kick. Again, the
torso, the legs and the toes should be kept pointing forward.
 Also, it is very important to make sure that the body is not too low by extending your
foot too far to the side. You can engage in a right-side stance or a left side stance
depending on the foot you choose to move.
 This stance is usually used in evasion techniques or strike deflection.
7. Back Stance

 As the name suggests, in this stance the foot is moved to the back rather than the side.
 You will start from the ready stance then extend his foot to the back in a 45 degrees
angle away from the body.
 While the legs are in a straddle position, the heels should form an imaginary “L” shape.
 The weight of the body should be equally distributed on both legs and it is very
important not to extend the foot too far.
 Back stances can be done by extending the right or left foot. They are used in back
evasion techniques and in blocking.
Basic Rules and Regulations in playing Arnis
 Arnis is a combative sport played by two individuals in a court measuring 26.24 Feet (8
meters) into 26.24 Feet (8 meters), with a smooth and clean surface. 
 Players are paired / matched according to the division of weight categories.
 The minimum temperature for an outdoor competition shall not be below 25 degrees
Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) and for indoor competition; the temperature should not
be above 25 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit).
 Lighting apparatus is located above the free space.
 Before the game starts, players must be positioned in the playing area so that the red-
coded player is on the right side of the referee and the blue-coded player is on the left
side.
Participants
1. Compositions

 MEN's team may consist of a maximum of eleven players, one player per weight
division, one coach, one trainer, one medical doctor and two officiating Review Judges
(“RJs”) licensed by i-ARNIS. (Same composition for WOMEN's team, BOY's team and
GIRL's team)
2. Qualifications:

 The players shall meet the requirements of the weight division in which they are to

compete.
 The player should be physically and mentally fit to compete and submit the medical
certification with the tournament form.
 A sex test may also occur if a player's identity (Real Sex) is in doubt.
 Drug tests may also take place if in doubt.
Competition Rules
1. World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (“WEKAF”) System

 The participants wear padded vests with skirts and sleeves and headgear that resemble

the one used in Kendo.
 Participants are forbidden to hit their opponents below the thigh.
 According to the "Four-Second Rule" implemented in the system, no points are
awarded if the same strike is repeated more than twice in succession.
 On violating any rule, the officials warn the participants and can be disqualified if they
continue violating the format despite two warnings.
2. Arnis Philippines System (“ARPI”) System

 In this system, participants fight with a lightly padded stick that flexes hard impact.

 Headgears can be used for protection and hitting in the back of the head is strictly
prohibited as the headgear is open from behind.
 A large groin guard is required for male participants.
 The fights are observed by multiple judges stationed at various positions to observe if
the matches are going fair.
 The loudness of the impact determines the strike strength.
 Thrusts to the body help to gain points but are harder to perform.
 Punches, kicks and throws are prohibited, along with sticks' direct hit on the face.
 Disarms must be performed clearly and quickly.
Fouls

 Striking or thrusting to the groin.

 Blocking with the use of the arm.
 Striking or thrusting using both hands.
 Any act of pushing hand, head, body, legs, arm, stick and other similar movements.
 If a player steps out of the playing area.
 Hitting a player at the back area (from the back of the head to the buttocks) is
considered foul unless the opponent intentionally turns his back.
 If a player delays the game for more than ten (10) seconds.
 If a player hits multiple strikes or thrusts to one body part.
 When the command of ‘hinto’ (stop) or ‘hiwalay’ (separate), any player
who attacks shall be given foul, but if the command and the attack fall at the same time
then this would not be considered as a foul.
 A player who commits foul is given F1, F2, and F3, as per the case mentioned in the
scoreboard.
 When a player commits three (3) fouls, then the player is declared the loser by
the referee for that particular round. 

Materials needed in Arnis

 Rattan. Rattan is the most commonly used material for bastons in Arnis training.
They are light, flexible and good for training in speed. They are made from dried and
cut reeds and are typically cut 26″-30″ in length, 3/4″-1″ in diameter and rounded at
both ends.

Parts of the Arnis

 Arnis also includes hand-to-hand combat, joint locks, grappling and weapon
disarming techniques. Although in general, emphasis is put on weapons for these
arts, some systems put empty hands as the primary focus and some old school
systems do not teach weapons at all.
 [REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9850]

AN ACT DECLARING ARNIS AS THE NATIONAL MARTIAL ART AND SPORT OF THE
PHILIPPINES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

 SECTION 1. It is the policy of the State to inculcate patriotism, nationalism and

appreciation of the role of national heroes and symbols in the historical
development of the country. Furthermore, the State must give priority to
education, science and technology, arts and culture, and sports to foster
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human
liberation and development.

 SEC. 2. Definition of Arnis. — Arnis, also known as Eskrima, Kali, Garrote and other
names in various regional languages, such as Pananandata in Tagalog;
Pagkalikali, Ibanag; Kabaraon and Kalirongan, Pangasinan; Kaliradman, Bisaya;
and Didja, Ilokano, is an indigenous Filipino martial art and sport characterized by
the use of swinging and twirling movements, accompanied by striking, thrusting
and parrying techniques for defense and offense. This is usually done with the
use of one (1) or two (2) sticks or any similar implements or with bare hands and
feet also used for striking, blocking, locking and grappling, with the use of the
same principle as that with the canes.

 SEC. 3. Arnis is hereby declared as the Philippine National Martial Art and Sport.
The official adoption of arnis as the national martial art and sport shall be
promulgated by inscribing the symbol of arnis in the official seal of the Philippine
Sports Commission and by making it as the first sport competition to be played
by participating teams on the first day in the annual Palarong Pambansa. The
Philippine Sports Commission shall be the lead agency to implement the
provisions of this Act.

 SEC. 4. The Department of Education, the National Commission for Culture and
the Arts, and the Philippine Sports Commission shall promulgate the necessary
rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.

 SEC. 5. Any provision of law, decree, executive order, rule or regulation in conflict
or inconsistent with the provisions and/or purposes of this Act is hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

 SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
6 Basic Strikes in Arnis
#1 – Left side of the head attack (Left Temple Strike)

 From the fighting stance, the warrior will hold the stick with one hand at 1 o’clock.
 He will then move the stick in a slashing action while keeping the free hand on the chest.
 This is a diagonal downward forehand swing to the left temple.
#2 – Right side of the head attack (Right Temple Strike)

 Like the left temple strike the warrior assumes fighting stance, this time with the stick
held at 11 o’clock and the free hand kept on the chest.
 The strike to the right temple is then done in a diagonal downward backhand swing.
#3 – Left side of the body or torso

 In this strike, the practitioner will extend the weapon hand.

 Then he will proceed to strike any part of the trunk located between the shoulder and
the hips. The stick will be held in a diagonal forehand slashing swing.
 This is the way to deliver the maximum amount of damage.
#4 – Right side of the body or torso

 Again, the practitioner will extend the weapon hand to strike any part of the body
located on the right side between the shoulder and the hips.
 The weapon of choice will be moved in a backhand slashing swing.
#5 – Thrust to The Stomach

 This is a strong thrust to the solar plexus or the stomach and can cause fatal damage to
the vital organs in the abdomen.
 In this strike, the practitioner will thrust the weapon hand to the target point, which is
the solar plexus.
 It is then followed by an upward motion that will cut through the opponent’s body.
#12 – Strike to the crown/top of head.

 This is a straight downward overhead swing directed towards the crown of the head.
 Hitting the top of the head can immobilize your opponent, deliver damage to the brain
and throw him off balance.
 Using a real sharp or powerful weapon can even shatter the skull bones ending the fight
to your favor in a matter of seconds.
SINAWALI
1. Single Sinawali
BASIC

 Swing the cane to strike the opponent’s temple

 Withdraw the cane
 Swing it down to strike the opponent’s knee
 Withdraw your cane and place in above your shoulder
ADVANCE

 Strike opponent’s right temple with right cane

 Withdraw right hand passing the left shoulder to strike the opponent’s knee
 Withdraw right hand and position it above the left shoulder to strike opponent’s temple

2. Double Sinawali
 Begin with the right hand up and the left hand tucked under the right shoulder
 Strike the opponent’s temple with the right hand
 As you retract the right hand to the left shoulder, strike the opponent’s knee
with the left hand
 As you trike a backhand to the opponent’s temple with the right hand, retract
the left hand to the left shoulder