◆ Definition of Terms accompanied by striking, thrusting and

Allegiance: A promise of a person to be parrying techniques.

loyal and devoted to a certain person,
group or organization. This is usually done with the use of one or
two sticks or any similar implements with
Code of Conduct: A set of rules outlining the use of the same principle as that with
the norms, rules and responsibilities or the canes. It is declared as the Philippine
proper practices of an individual party or National Martial Art and Sport.
an organization.
Arnis is a form of martial art played
Eskrima. Old and other term for Arnis. usually with the use of cane. Arnis can
Kafi. Old and other term for Arnis. be performed individually as an art,
Kuntaw. Chinese martial art / fighting with or without the use of a cane, or as
method a means of self-defense.

Mano mano: In Spanish, mano means TWO MAIN EVENTS IN ARNIS

hand. Applying it to Arnis, mano mano Anyo
means a competition where both players Anyo/ Likha Anyo or creative forms in
are using their bare hands during the fight Arnis are sets of pre-arranged techniques
and movements of the art that is depicted
Parrying: In Arnis, it is a way of in a flow showcasing the fusion of skills
defending yourself against your opponent that requires expertise of rhythm, timing,
by using a blocking skill in a way that you agility and the essence or applicability in
are pushing their Arnis stick away from combat.
yours.
Labanan (Full Contact Event)
Silat. A collective term for a class of In Arnis, labanan uses full gear protection
indigenous martial arts from the from head to legs and a padded stick to
Indonesian/Malay and surrounding strike and gain a point.
geocultural areas of Southeast Asia.
The origin of Arnis can be traced back to
Stance: in Arnis, this is a way of standing native fighting techniques during conflicts
of an Arnis player. among the various Pre-hispanic Filipino
tribes or kingdoms, though the current
Arnis is an indigenous Filipino martial art form has Spanish influence from old
and sport characterized by the use of fencing which originated in Spain in the
swinging and twirling movements. It is 15th century. It has other influences as
well, as settlers and traders travelling
through the Malay Archipelago brought 2. LARGA MUTON or LABANANG
the influence of silat as well as Chinese, TOTOHANAN, where two (2) practitioners
Arab and Indian martial arts. Some of the engage in free practice of contest for
population still practice localized Chinese testing fighting skills.
fighting methods known as kuntaw.
3. SANGA AT PATAMA or SOMBRA
Fighting Art Forms TABAK which teaches striking, thrusting
As a fighting art form, Arnis is commonly and blocking parrying in pre-arranged
classified into (5) forms of play. manner.

1. ESPADA Y DAGA (sword and dagger) ORGANIZATIONS

or the long wooden sword and short.
wooden dagger. World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation
(WEKAF)
2. SOLO BASTON (single stick) in which - It is the first and largest Filipino martial
a single long wooden stick or rattan cane arts organization, consisting of 40
is used. countries amongst its members since its
inception in 1989.
3. SINAWALI, so called because of the
intricate movements of two bastons used Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis
in criss-cross manner, or simply called Federation (PEKAF)
double baston (two sticks) - This is the local governing body of the
Philippines. The Philippine Olympic
4. PINGA or long bamboo stick. Committee (POC) named PEKAF as the
legitimate local governing body for Arnis
5. MANO MANO/BUNO/DUMOG, Arnis. after the 42 (forty-two) voting national
without the use of stick. sports associations voted unanimously for
its inclusion. (PEKAF is formerly known as
Traditional Teaching Methods in Arnis Arnis Philippine Inc or ARPI).
In teaching Amis, as in the olden times
three traditional methods are used. Others/Philosophy of Arnis
1. Respect This is one way to treat
1. MUESTRATION or PANDALAG which people in an appropriate way. Not only in
teaches the art of ALDABIS (striking) for Arnis but even in other sports or martial
defense and offense through consistent arts, respect is the most important
practice. philosophy among all. This includes the
respect to your teammates, coaches and
officials, governing body and even the or yantok but other hard woods can be
opposing team. use too, like Bahi or Kamagong. It is 24
inches long for elementary level and 28 to
2. Discipline Abiding principles and 30 inches long for high school to college
philosophy of Arnis is being disciplined. level. It is one inch in diameter. The
standard uniform for Arnis players should
3. Loyalty in Arnis is talking about how wear the following during the play. Red
you will stay in this form of martial arts, It pants and White T-shirt.
also includes about how you religiously
practice Arnis as a martial art. Benefits and Code of Conduct
Benefits in Learning Arnis
4. Bravery In order for you to perform In studying Self Defense, you will gain
Arnis in a proper way, you need to multiple benefits. Not only physical
conquer your fears first. benefits but also in other aspects as
well. Below are some of them:
5. Ethics It is innate in a person's rules of  Practical self-defense is learned.
behavior about what is morally good and  Upper body, arms and legs will
what is bad. Included here is knowing the become toned.
reward for doing good and punishment for  Fitness and aerobic capacity are
doing bad. increased.
 Parts of the body, such as forearms,
6. Sportsmanship In life, it is not always elbow and hands will be conditioned
about win and victory. Same with sports and will be more resistant to pain an
and martial arts, we have times of defeat injury.
and lose. The real deal here is knowing  Flexibility is increased.
how to accept defeat. After all, gaining  Ability to use any weapon, even the
knowledge and experience from your one that is not used before, is
defeats are still the best reward. developed.
 It complements and enhances any
7. Control You need to master self- martial art. It can be learned
control. It is not always about hitting your independently from other martial arts
Arnis stick in a powerful way. Take note or grafted seamlessly into any form of
that in Arnis, you are also being trained on exercise done already.
how to grip the Arnis stick which  Many of the techniques do not
require strength or power. Instead,
Equipment Used in Arnis most power is derived from body
The main equipment in Arnis is the stick. movement and economy motion.
The stick is commonly made up of rattan
 Anyone can learn Eskrima since colorful appendages and trappings worn
strength is not needed. Twelve-year by Medieval soldiers.
old children can learn Eskrima, as
well as retired women (The Black Kali An ancient Malay word which refers
Eagle Grandmaster is 76 at the time to a long bladed weapon. It is derived
of writing and is still in formidable from the word tjakalele which is an
shape). Indonesian traditional form of fencing.
 It does not require expensive
equipment. Eskrima A style of combat that
 It can be practiced anywhere. emphasizes on weapon-based combat
Eskrima can be practiced in a park as that generally involves sticks and knives.
well as in a gym. However, Arnis, Kali and Eskrima are all
used to refer Filipino martial arts.
Code of Conduct: Few Common Rules
to Keep in Mind POSITIONS
1. Use only one's skills in self-defense, Abierta - open position
self-preservation, and the protection of Serrada -closed position
others where the need necessitates. Tatsada - position with arms pressed
2. Respect fellow martial arts practitioners forward
regardless of their chosen style.
3. Do not engender ill feeling or engage in DISTANCES
petty rivalry with other practitioners and Corto -close range
training hall Largo -distant
4. Be disciplined in the training and Medio - middle
appreciation of martial arts Tircia (Tirsha) -"one third of the
5. Uphold true martial arts spirit. distance", intermediate between middle
6. Set a good example to promote martial and near
arts practice.
7. Abide by the rules of one's club and MOVEMENT/COMMAND
association. Retrada - retreat
Hakban pabalik - step back
List of Key Eskrima, Kali & Arnis Hakban pakaliwa- step to the left
Commands, Words and Terms Hakban pakanan - step to the right
Hakban pasulong- step forward
ARNIS/KALI/ESKRIMA Hakbang tatsulog- steps along the
Amis It is supposed to be derived from triangle
the Spanish word arnes with the English
equivalent of harness, and refers to the
TRAJECTORIES
Cruz - pram cross PROTECTION
Ekis - oblique cross or X-movement Ganting -"scissors", traumatic block,
defense with one hand and a strike to the
STRIKES attacking limb with the other
Abaniko -Lit. "fan" lateral (side to side) Palis - accompaniment of the opponent's
motions performed with a straightened attack
arm as a blocking maneuver. Plum - reverse block with an umbrella
Sanga -block
Banda y banda- A striking technique Patama - oncoming strike to the attacking
which consists of pointing the stick limb
forward and moving rapidly and Santik - snapping strike to the limb
horizontally from left to right in front of the Sumbrada -block with the umbrella
body.
SECTION OF TECHNOLOGY
Crossada -Lit. "crossing" maneuver used Daga y daga - knife fighting
to block an incoming attack by forming an Doble baston - technique of using two
X-pattern with ones baton, arms, or blade sticks
weapon Dumag -"Grappling" either in a clinch or
on the ground.
Pilantik - short snapping strike in the
middle Pangamot/Mano-mano Is a complete
bare-handed defense system. The
Plancha - Back and forward horizontal Cebuano term which was derived from the
strikes to midsection word "kamot"means hand. "Pangamot"
calls for the full coordinated & rhythmic
Punyo/Pugno -strike with the short end movement of the defender's hands, arms,
body, shoulders, leg and feet mainly to
Redonda - A circular power-strike. bring about the opponent's defeat through
disarms as well as throws
Rompida - An upward and downward
slash or strike delivered in an X-pattern. Sikaran - Generally "sticking with the
legs"
Sungkiti - circular shots/ hooking thrust Solo Baston- technique of using one
stick
Tigbas - Powerful horizontal strike to Stick Panantukan stick- A combination
body or head, apply forehead or of hand to hand combat and the use of
backhand Espada -word/machete fighting technique
Espada y daga - combined use of knife
and sword

DRILLS
Sinawali - Lit. "to weave," connoting the
continouos weaving motion that one uses
with two batons, knives, or hands to
couple simultaneous strikes and blocks.
Also, like redonda or hubud-lubud, a drill
pattern.

Redonda - Drill employing two batons

continuously.