ARNIS

Introduction
Arnis is the official national sport and the martial art of the
Philippines. It is also known as "Kali" or "Eskrima". These two terms
are used for the traditional martial art of the Philippines (“Filipino
Martial Arts”, or “FMA”) that focuses on weapon-based fighting with
knives, sticks, bladed weapons and some improvised weapons.
Arnis is a combat sport to defend oneself from attacks using hand to
hand combat, grappling and weapon disarming in weapon-based
fights.
Introduction
Arnis was declared as the Philippine National Martial Art and
Sport on December 11, 2009 through Republic Act 9850 signed by
Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. As per R.A. 9850, 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
competition to be played by participating teams on the first day in
the annual Palarong Pambansa. The Philippine Sports Commission
is be the lead agency to implement the provisions of this Act.
Origin of the Name
The word Arnis got originated from the old Spanish term, arnés,
meant “armor”and Eskrima is a Filipinization of the Spanish word,
esgrima for fencing. Whereas the name ‘Kali’ was derived from the
pre-Hispanic Filipano term ‘Kalis’ which meant Blades and Fencing.
Practitioners of the sport are called “arnisador” for male and
“arnisadora” for female in Arnis and “eskrimador” for male and
“eskrimadora” for female in the Eskrima and Kali Art.
Moreover, all the three, Arnis, Eskrima and Kali belong to the
same family of Filipino weapon-based martial arts and fighting
systems.
Origin of the Name
Origin of the Name
The word Arnis got originated from the old Spanish term, arnés,
meant “armor”and Eskrima is a Filipinization of the Spanish word,
esgrima for fencing. Whereas the name ‘Kali’ was derived from the
pre-Hispanic Filipano term ‘Kalis’ which meant Blades and Fencing.
Practitioners of the sport are called “arnisador” for male and
“arnisadora” for female in Arnis and “eskrimador” for male and
“eskrimadora” for female in the Eskrima and Kali Art.
Moreover, all the three, Arnis, Eskrima and Kali belong to the
same family of Filipino weapon-based martial arts and fighting
systems.
Stances in Arnis
Ready Stance
Stand with your feet apart parallel
to the shoulder with both toes
pointing forward.   The knees should
be straight, the waist and the body
facing forward.  Hands are on waist
level and the hands should hold the
sticks on both sides.  The ready
stance is commonly used when
standing at ease during training or
tournaments.
Stances in Arnis
Attention Stance
Stand with your feet forming a 45
degrees angle.    Heels should be
close to each other, knees should be
straight, the waist and body facing
forward.  Shoulders are dropped to
the side and both hands are at waist
level.  The Attention Stance is
commonly used in preparation for
courtesy or “bowing” at
commencement of sparring.
Stances in Arnis
Forward Stance
Starting with the ready stance, move one
foot forward until the knee and the toe are in
line to each other.  Both toes are pointing in
front, the waist and the body is facing forward.  
The body should not be too low or the lead foot
too extended otherwise it will be hard to
maneuver.  Distribute the weight or center of
gravity to both legs.  Forward stances can be
right foot lead, which is the Right Foot Forward
Stance or it can be left foot lead which is Left
Foot Forward Stance. Forward Stance are
commonly used with frontal striking or
blocking techniques.
Stances in Arnis
Oblique Stance
Starting with the ready stance, move one foot
forward 45 degrees away from the body until the
knee and the toe are in line to each other.  Move on
the same direction as the lead foot (e.g.  for right
foot lead, move 45 degrees forward to the right).
Both toes are pointing in front, the waist and the
body is facing forward.  The body should not be too
low or the lead foot too extended otherwise it will
be hard to maneuver.  Distribute the weight or
center of gravity to both legs.  Oblique stances can
be right foot lead, which is the Right Foot Oblique
Stance or it can be left foot lead which is Left Foot
Oblique Stance.  Oblique Stances are commonly
used for forward blocking and evasion techniques.
Stances in Arnis
Straddle Stance
Starting with the ready stance, move one
foot about two feet (2’) to the left or the right
direction until both lower legs are almost
perpendicular to the ground.   Both toes are
pointing in front, the waist and the body is
facing forward.  The body should not be too low
or extended otherwise it will be hard to
maneuver.  Distribute the weight or center of
gravity to both legs.  Straddle stance are also
called Horseback Riding Stance since it mimics
position when riding on a horse back.  Straddle
stances are commonly used for blocking the
strikes to the side of the body.
Stances in Arnis
Side Stance
Starting with the ready stance, move one foot
about two feet (2’) to the left or right direction. 
Moving foot will be perpendicular to the ground
while the other leg is extended thereby creating a
position like that of a side kick.  Both toes are
pointing in front, the waist and the body is facing
forward.  The body should not be too low or
extended otherwise it will be hard to maneuver. 
Distribute the weight or center of gravity to both
legs.  If the left foot moves to the side it becomes
Left Foot Side Stance, if the right foot moves to the
side it becomes Right Foot Side Stance.  Side
Stances are commonly used for strike deflection
and evasion techniques.
Stances in Arnis
Back Stance
Starting with the ready stance, move one
foot backward 45 degrees away from the
body. The heels of the foot should form an
imaginary “L” shape while the legs are in a
straddle position.  The body should not be
too low or extended otherwise it will be hard
to maneuver.  Distribute the weight or center
of gravity to both legs.  Back stances can be
right foot lead, which is the Right Foot Back
Stance or it can be left foot lead which is Left
Foot Back Stance.  Back stances are used for
blocking and backward evasion techniques.
Twelve Basic Striking Techniques in Arnis
Strike No. 1- Left Temple Strike
Steps:
1. Hold your body in a fighting
position.
2. From the position, hold the stick
with your right hand pointing at 1
o’clock position hitting towards
left of the head of your opponent.
3. Your left hand should be facing
your chest while doing the strike.
Twelve Basic Striking Techniques in Arnis
Strike No. 2- Right Temple Strike
Steps:
1. Hold your body in a fighting
position.
2. From the position, hold the stick
with your right hand pointing at
eleven o’clock position hitting
towards right of the head of
your opponent.
3. Your left hand should be facing
your chest while doing the strike
Twelve Basic Striking Techniques in Arnis
No. 3- Left Side of the Shoulder Strike
Steps:
1. Extend your right arm weapon hand.
2. Hold your stick at the left side of
your body.
3. Strike any part of your body
between shoulder and hips.
*Slash against the outer part of the
trunk.
Twelve Basic Striking Techniques in Arnis
Strike No. 4- Right Side of the
Shoulder Strike
Steps:
1. Extend your right arm weapon hand.
2. Hold your stick at right side of the
body.
3. Strike any part of your body
between shoulder and hips.
*Slash against the outer part of the
trunk.
Twelve Basic Striking Techniques in Arnis
Strike No. 5- Abdomen Thrust
Steps:
1. Using your stick, thrust or push
the abdomen of the person using
either right or left hand then
follow through with upward
movement.
Twelve Basic Striking Techniques in Arnis
Strike No. 6- Left Chest Thrust
Steps:
1. In a fighting stance position, put
your right hand with a weapon
and your palm facing outward.
*Your right elbow should be kept
downward
Twelve Basic Striking Techniques in Arnis
Strike No. 7- Right Chest Thrust
Steps:
1. Position in a fighting stance.
2. Hold the weapon using your right
hand; your left palm should be
facing outward.
*Your right elbow should be kept
upward.
Twelve Basic Striking Techniques in Arnis
Strike No. 8- Left Lower Leg Strike
Steps:
1. Bend your body with the right foot
forward and left foot backward.
2. Extend your right hand with a stick
to hit the part of the opponent’s left
leg between knee and ankle joint.
*Your left palm should be facing
upward
Twelve Basic Striking Techniques in Arnis
Strike No. 9- Right Lower Leg Strike
Steps:
1. Bend your body with the right foot
forward and left foot backward.
2. Extend your right hand with a
stick to hit the part of the
opponent’s right leg between knee
and ankle joint.
*Your right palm should be facing
downward
Twelve Basic Striking Techniques in Arnis
Strike No. 10- Left Eye Poke
Steps:
1. In a fighting position stance,
position your right-hand forward
stabbing towards the opponent’s
left eye with a weapon/stick.
*Your right palm must be facing
outward with elbow down.
Twelve Basic Striking Techniques in Arnis
Strike No. 11- Right Eye Poke Steps:

1. In a fighting position stance,

position your right-hand forward
stabbing towards the opponent’s
right eye with a weapon/stick.
*Your right palm must be facing
outward with elbow up.
Twelve Basic Striking Techniques in Arnis
Strike No. 12- Crown Strike
Steps:
1. Stand in a fighting position.
2. Your stick should be held
pointing at the opponent’s head
with slashing action.
 Six blocking techniques in Arnis
All blocking techniques can be done in any stance (fighting, forward, or back).

Block no. 1 upper left block

From your right shoulder, block
a strike moving your arm to the
left side of your body. Maintain a
vertical position of the cane.
Position your left palm at the
middle of the cane to support your
blocking. This is best in blocking
the following: Right temple strike,
Right eye, Right shoulder strike,
and Right chest strike.
 Six blocking techniques in Arnis
Block no. 2 upper right block
From your left shoulder,
block a strike moving your arm
to the right side of your body.
Maintain a vertical position of
the cane. Position your right
palm at the middle of the cane
to support your blocking. This is
best in blocking the following:
Left Temple strike, Left eye, Left
shoulder strike, and Left chest
strike.
 Six blocking techniques in Arnis
Block no. 3 Lower Left
block
From your right shoulder,
block a strike moving your
arm (as if slashing) to the
lower left side of your body.
Do this strike as if you are
doing a leg strike. This is best
in blocking the Right Leg
strike.
 Six blocking techniques in Arnis
Block no. 4 Lower Right
block
From your left shoulder,
block a strike moving your
arm (as if slashing) to the
lower right side of your body.
Do this strike as if you are
doing a leg strike. This is best
in blocking the Left Leg strike.
 Six blocking techniques in Arnis
Block no. 5 Stomach thrust
block
Position your hand behind.
Move your hand to your right
side while twisting your body
to the right. Position your right
palm at the middle of the cane
to support your blocking, cane
pointing downward at all
times. This is best in blocking
the Stomach thrust strike
 Six blocking techniques in Arnis
Block no. 6 Rising block
From your left leg, move the
cane above your head slightly
diagonal forward. The cane
should be positioned slightly
diagonal as to make a roof over
your head. Position your right
palm starting from your left
leg until the cane is
positioned overhead to support
your blocking. This is best in
blocking the Crown strike.
ANYO NG ARNIS
Arnis players, students of practitioners could basically
participate in two types of arnis sports, the anyo or form,
and the laban, or full combat competitions. Different
scoring systems and rules and regulation apply for each
division, depending on who hosts the competition. In anyo,
athletes would perform sequences of Arnis movements,
learned and performed from this course, using 1 or 2
batons (sticks) usually accompanied by music.
Pattern of Anyo (isa) Modern Arnis solo baston
In Modern Arnis, Anyo is the application of all styles
learned throughout one's training, and is performed with a
specific weapon (i.e. cane, dagger, hands) to show the flow
of that form. Anyo requires certain proficiency of beat,
tempo, timing, agility, and most of all, diwang panlaban
(fighting spirit).

Students/Athletes would perform sequences of

movements using 1 or 2 batons.
5 Strikes in Anyo
1. Forehand strike to the left temple.
2. Backhand strike to the right temple.
(Strikes #1 & 2 are delivered in angular motion, if you were to
do this while facing a mirror you would be creating an imaginary
X while delivering your strikes.)
3. Forehand strike to the left elbow
4. Backhand strike to the right elbow
(Strikes #3 & #4 are delivered on a horizontal plane, if you
were to do this while facing a mirror you could imagine cutting
someone in half on a horizontal plane.)
5. Thrust to midsection.
Sample Routine- Anyo Isa
1) Begin in a neutral stance. Step forward with the right leg and deliver a #2 strike.
2) Step forward with the left leg and deliver a #1 strike.
3) Step forward with the right leg and deliver a #4 to the head.
4) Step back with the right leg and deliver a #2 strike
5) Step back with the left leg and deliver a #1 strike.
6) Step forward with the left leg and perform a supported block to the right (imagine you are
blocking a #2 strike)
7) Step forward with the right leg and perform a supported block to the left (imagine you are
blocking a #1 strike)
8) Step back with the right leg and a roof block, imagine a blocking a #12 (downward strike to
the top of the head)
9) Step back with left leg, with an umbrella, again imagine an blocking a #12 (downward strike
to the top of the head)
10)Twirl over the head and then deliver a #1 strike.
11)Step back with right leg and deliver a #2 strike.
12)Step back into a neutral stance
PRACTICUM
You are expected to create and perform Anyo Solo Baston, You can choose
from the styles that you learned from this term (fundamental skills in arnis
up to Anyo Isa). (fundamental skills, single sinawali, double sinawali, striking
and blocking techniques, up to Anyo Isa). Start with COURTESY and it ends
with COURTESY.
Duration: 1:30 to 2:00 Minutes
Materials: Solo Baston (stick) and Music (instrumental)
1. Wear clothes that are comfortable and easy to move around in and a pair
of rubber shoes, which offer good support for your spine and hips and
provide a stable and secure movements.
2. Do warm-up exercises and stretching
RUBRICS
Your video performance will be graded/rated using the following rubrics.
• Accuracy
❖ 5 points – no errors are observed and the performance is done with high
confidence
❖ 4 points – 1 or 2 errors is/are observed in the performance but the routine is
performed
❖ 3 points – 3 or 4 errors are observed in the performance but the presence of mind
during this performance is maintained
❖ 2 points – 5 or 6 errors and impatience or frustration are observed in the performance
❖ 1 point – 7 or more errors are observed in the performance needing more time to
practice
• Coordination of movement
❖ 5 points – always performs movements with proper order
❖ 4 points – frequently performs movements in proper order
❖ 3 points – Rarely performs movements in proper order
❖ 2 points – Lack performance in the proper order
❖ 1 point – Never performs movements in the proper order
• Artistic Execution
❖ 5 points –performance is excellent
❖ 4 points – performance is good
❖ 3 points – performance is satisfactory
❖ 2 points – performance is fair
❖ 1 point – performance needs improvement