ARNIS - was developed by the indigenous weapons.

ARPI was established in 1986 which

populations of the Philippines, who used an was used prominently during the 2005
assorted range of weaponry for combat and Southeast Asian Games(SEAGAMES)
self-defense. Encompassing both simple impact
2 types of Arnis
and edged weapons, arnis traditionally involved
rattan, swords, daggers, and spears. 1. ANYO - is the application of all styles
learned throughout one's training, and
- Arnis comes from (arnés), Old Spanish
is performed with a specific weapon
for "armor" (harness) an archaic English
(i.e. cane, dagger, hands) to show the
term for armor, which comes from the
flow of that form. Anyo requires certain
same roots as the Spanish term.
proficiency of beat, tempo, timing,
- Arnis is called arnis in Luzon
agility, and most of all, diwang panlaban
- Kali in vis
(fighting spirit)
- Eskrima in min
2. LEBAN- form tests participants’ agility
and reactions, as competitions are
judged based on the number of strikes
1. Espada y’ Daga is a system that
inflicted. 
simulates the use of one Long and one
short weapon as well as shield and MOST IMPORTANT EQUIP IN ARNIS
weapon combinations and is unique to
1. Rattan stick – 60cm
Filipino Martial Arts due to its
2. Gear – arm/leg guards, head gear,
combination of long and short weapon
groin guard, body armor, hand gloves.
2. Solo Baston. Solo Baston is done with
3.
two sticks, despite what the name says.
It is a simple co-ordination drill
designed to get the student moving
with weapons in both hands, and leads
naturally into the more complicated
sinawalis.
3. Sinawali is the double-cane method of
fighting of arnis, escrima and kali. The
name sinawali came from the Tagalog
word “sawali,” a woven split bamboo
mats used as walls of nipa huts. Founder of Arnis – Remy Presas

WEKAF (World Eskrima Kali Arnis - December 19,1936 –August 28,2001

Federation) WEKAF is the most common system - Philippines – USA (1974)
of art which is used internationally. Established - Black belt in 1982 Hall of Fame
in 1989; the system works on the 10-point must instructor
system that is quite similar to boxing. - Father of Modern Arnis

Arnis is the national martial art sport

of Philippines. It is also known as Eskrima and
Kali. This sport actually emphasizes weapon
based fighting which is done using knives, FUNDAMENAL SKILL OF ARNIS
bladed weapons, sticks and various improvised
 1. Grip and the distribution of the
a. Grip is the act or way of holding body. It also involves the
stick, swords or espada and position of your legs and torso,
knife or dagger. whether you are attacking,
b. Types of Grip defending, retreating or
i. TWO INCHES FROM advancing.
THE LINE – b. Posture - the position in which
1. Hold the arnis stick about 1-2 inches from someone holds their body
the butt of arnis stick /punyo. when standing or sitting.
ii. NO EXTENSION FROM
Kinds of Stances
THE BUTT OF THE
ARNIS/PUNYO - Hold - Ready Stance - This stance is commonly
the Arnis stick in used when standing during tournament
butt/punyo or training.
iii. SIX INCHES FROM THE o Stand with feet apart, parallel
BUTT OF ARNIS/PUNYO to the shoulder. Toes are
- Hold the Arnis stick pointing forward.
about six inches from o Hands on waist level holding
the butt of arnis/punyo. the sticks on both sides.
- Attention Stance - This stance is used in
2. Saludo/Salutation - is a way to give preparation for courtesy or in taking a
courtesy or is a sign of true gentleman. bow to the sparing mate or opponents.
It begins with handa position followed o Stand with feet forming 45
by pugay. degree angle.
a. Procedure for handa position - o Hands at the side and relaxed.
Feet are parallel apart, aligned - Straddle leg – This stance is commonly
with shoulder. Stick is applied for blocking and strikes to the
positioned in front of the body side of the body.
by holding the sticks on both o Stand with feet forming 45
sides. degree angle.
b. Pugay - Position or lift the o Hands at the side and relaxed.
weapon hand across the chest - Forward - This stance is utilized with
wherein the butt/punyo is frontal striking or blocking techniques
resting on the chest, while the o Step on leg forward either right
feet is at 45 degree angle. of left leg. Leg must be at a
c. Bowing - Take a bow together distance about the twice the
with the sparring mate or width of the shoulder.
opponent then, proceed back o Front leg should be bending
to the original position.
and the rear leg
- Back - This stance is used for blocking
and backward evasion techniques
3. Stances and Posture o Step with one leg leaning
a. Stances -Arnis stances is the backward, with the rear leg or
combination of foot orientation knee a little bent.
 o The heels of the foot should about the vital points. The effectively of each
form L-shaped position. strike heavily relies on mobility, which is why
o Back stance can be either right you must have a strong command of the basic
foot lead or left foot lead stances before learning the 12 basic striking
- Oblique - This stance is applicable for techniques.
forward blocking and evasion
12 vital striking points of the body
technique.
o This stance is executed by 1. Left Temple
stepping either the left or right a. Do forward (fighting) stance position.
foot obliquely forward. b. Make a slashing or hitting action in one
o The L-shaped position of the o’clock position
feet should be maintained. c. Free hand at chest
- Side - This stance is commonly used for 2. Right Temple
strike deflection and evasion technique. a. Do forward (fighting) stance position.
o Starting with the ready stance, b. Make a slashing or hitting action eleven
move one foot about two feet o’clock position.
(2’) to the left or right direction. c. Free hand at chest
o Moving foot will be 3. Left shoulder
perpendicular to the ground a. Extend weapon
while the other leg is extended b. Strike or slashing action of left shoulder
thereby creating a position like 4. Right
that of a side kick. a. Extend weapon
b. Strike or slashing action of right
shoulder
STRIKING AND BLOCKING TECHNIQUES 5. Stomach or thrust
a. Thrust weapon, hands towards the
Striking tech - The proper way to strike is hitting target point.
the vital points. It with the different techniques. b. Follow through with upward
The different strikes give knowledge or movement.
information and guide about what vital points 6. Left chest stab or thrust
may knock down the opponent in case of a. Do the fighting stance.
danger. Learning the techniques can make the b. Extend weapon, hand forward, palm
player conscious about the vital points. The facing outward.
effectively of each strike heavily relies on c. Keep elbow up.
mobility, which is why you must have a strong 7. Right
command of the basic stances before learning a. Do the fighting stance.
the 12 basic striking techniques. b. Extend weapon, hand forward, palm
Blocking tech - The proper way to strike is facing outward.
hitting the vital points. It with the different c. Keep elbow up.
techniques. The different strikes give
knowledge or information and guide about 8. Left knee or shin
what vital points may knock down the a. Lower the body.
opponent in case of danger. Learning the b. Extend weapon.
techniques can make the player conscious c. Hit the lower left leg/knee
 d. Palm upward with palm up. This block is good
9. Right when blocking the left knee
a. Lower the body. strike.
b. Extend weapon.
4. Downward Outward or Reverse
c. Hit the lower right leg/knee
Downward Block
d. Palm upward
10. Left eye poke  From fighting stance, move to
a. Fighting Stance. back stance. Lower the body
b. Extend weapon, hand forward, palm and extend the weapon hand
facing outward. with palm up. This block is good
c. Elbow down. when blocking the left knee
11. Right strike.
a. Fighting Stance.
b. Extend weapon, hand forward, and 5. Raising Block
palm facing outward.  Hold the cane parallel to the
c. Elbow down. ground in waist level then push
12. Head or crown the cane or stick upward. This
a. Attack against the top of the head block is executed in a rising
upward position. This block is
good when blocking the crown
Blocking Techniques or head
1. Inside/Inward Block - Sinawali 
o is the double-cane method of
 Position the freehand on the
fighting of arnis, escrima and
stick. The striking stick of the
kali. The name sinawali came
sparring mate is parried to the
from the Tagalog word
left. This block is applied when
“sawali,” a woven split bamboo
blocking left temple strikes, left
mats used as walls of nipa huts.
shoulder strike and left chest
Strikes made by the right and
thrust
left hand alternate, and the
2. Outside or Outward Block angles of attack are varied as
the drill proceeds.
 Freehand rotates cane
- Single Sinwali
downward. The striking stick of
o Starting position, perform the
the opponent is paired to the
forward stance. Using two arnis
right. This block is effective
stick withdraw it above
when blocking the right temple
shoulder crossing it at the back.
strike, right shoulder strike, and
o First Strike - Using your R hand,
right chest thrust.
strike the L temple of the
3. Downward Inward Block opponent by slashing it
diagonally from R to L. Rotate
 From fighting stance, move to
your trunk to the L side.
the back stance, lower the body
and extend the weapon hand
 o SECOND - Followed by the right slashing it diagonally
knee strike by slashing it downward.
diagonally downward. o SIXTH - Strike the L temple
o Return the arnis stick by using the L hand by slashing it R
withdrawing at the R side. to L. withdraw the R hand at
o THIRD - Followed by the right the top of your R shoulder.
knee strike by slashing it o Withdraw the L arnis stick at
diagonally downward. the side below the R arm.
o Return the arnis stick by o
withdrawing at the R side.
o FOURTH - Followed by the L
knee strike by slashing it
diagonally downward.
o Return the arnis stick by
withdrawing at the L side.
- DOUBLE SINAWALI
o Starting position perform
forward stance, using two arnis
stick withdraw R arnis stick
above your R shoulder while L
arnis stick is withdrawn at the
side below the R arm.
o FIRST STRIKE - Using your R
hand, strike the L temple of the
opponent by slashing it
diagonally from R to L. Rotate
your trunk to the L side.
o SECOND - Withdraw the R arnis
stick at the L side. Strike the left
knee using the L hand by
slashing it diagonally
downward.
o THIRD - Strike the R temple
using R hand by slashing it from
L to R. Withdraw the L hand at
the top of your L shoulder.
o FOURTH - Using the L hand,
strike the R temple of the
opponent by slashing it
diagonally from L to R. Rotate
your trunk to the R side.
o FIFTH - Withdraw the L arnis
stick at the R side. Strike the R
knee using the R hand by