Chapter 5

BLOCKING TECHNIQUES
 OBJECTIVES

At the end of the chapter, the students are expected to:

1. identify the different blocking techniques in Arnis.
2. demonstrate the proper way of executing the
blocking techniques in Arnis.
3. appreciate the benefits derived from using the
appropriate blocking techniques in Arnis.
 INTRODUCTION
To begin with, there are nine techniques which players in arnis can employ to block a blow
or strike. These techniques are. well-illustrated and described here.
It is said that the capacity of a defender to endure an attacker’s strike depends much on his
ability to parry or block deadly blows effectively and to counter strike with equal efficacy.
This sums up the value of correct blocking as "own by visual aids on this subject.
To be able to put up an effective defense, the defender must, of necessity martial strength
will be concentrated in his two hands. This body balance is best seen in the correct stance which
he is to execute before making any attempt to block or parry his opponent's blow. Lacking this
preparatory fighting stance, the defender can easily be staggered or thrown of balance by even a
less deadly blow delivered to him.
A military strategist once said that only by knowing your enemy will you be able to defeat
him. In the world of martial arts, one knows his enemy only if he knows the sophisticated fighting
techniques in his enemy's arsenal, Knowledge of the opponent's ability as a formidable foe
equated by the player's expertise to defend himself gives him self-confidence, a psychological
feeling which boosts his morale and improves his primitive strength. Thus, the initial phase of the
fight has already been won.
 LESSON 1
INWARD BLOCK

Initial position:
Open-leg stance, knees bent in fighting posture,
left hand with open palm held up in front of the
body.
With right elbow at right angle and cane pointing
upward, lunge with right forward stance, twisting,
body to the right and at the same time, bringing
cane forward, braced by the left hand is a way to
block attacker’s blow.
 LESSON 2
OUTWARD BLOCK

Initial position:
Open-leg stance, knees bent in fighting posture,
left hand with open-palm held up in front of the
body
With elbow at right angle and cane pointing
upward, lunge with right (or left ) simultaneously
twisting body to the left and at the same time,
bringing cane forward, braced by the left hand to
block attacker's blow.
 LESSON 3
RISING BLOCK

Initial position:
Open-leg stance, knees bent fighting posture, left
hand with open-palm held up in front of the body.
In a right (or left) forward stance with cane in
front at hip level, raise cane horizontally forward
and over the head supported by open palm of the
left hand to block attacker’s blow.
 LESSON 4
DOWNWARD-INWARD BLOCK

Initial position:
Open-leg stance, knees bent in fighting posture,
left hand in open palm held up in front of the body.
In a right (or left ) forward stance, bring cane
from downward to the right to block attacker’s
blow.
 LESSON 5
DOWNWARD-OUTWARD BLOCK

Initial position:
Open-leg stance, knees bent in
fighting posture, left hand in open-palm a
in-front of the body.
In a right (or left) forward stance, bring
cane from right downward to left to
block the attacker's blow.
 LESSON 6
VERTICAL BLOCK

Initial position:
Knees bent in fighting posture, left hand in open
palm held up in front of body.
In right (or left) forward stance, raise right elbow
to shoulder level and twist wrist outward to the left
so that cane is vertical with tip pointing downward.
Always brace the cane with open palm of left hand
at the middle section.
 LESSON 7.A
INWARD-FORCE-TO-FORCE BLOCK

Initial position:
Knees bent in fighting posture, left hand in open
palms held up in front of the body.
In a right ( or left ) forward stance, raise elbow to
strike cane upward to the right and meet the force of
attacker’s blow. At the point of impact, see to it that the
arm is straight to give additional strength to the block.
Assist this with a twist of the body in the direction of
the attack. In this block, it is essential that follow-up
should be quick and instantaneous
 LESSON 7.B
OUTWARD FORCE-TO-FORCE BLOCK

Initial position:
Knee bent in fighting posture, left hand in
open palm held up in front of the body.
This is similar to the Inward-Force-to-
Force Block. In this technique however, the
direction of the blow is in toward the left.
Again, follow-up should be quick and
instantaneous.
 LESSON 8
INWARD-GO-WITH-THE-FORCE BLOCK

Initial position:
Right forward Stance, knees bent in fighting
posture, left hand in open palm held up in front of
the body.
Step either left or right foot slightly backward
and let the attacker’s blow pass in front. Bring cane
downward to the right. Then hit outside of the
attacker's cane so that his momentum will carry him
to your right.
 LESSON 8
OUTWARD-GO-WITH-THE-FORCE
BLOCK

Initial position:
Right forward stance, knees bent in fighting
posture, left hand in open palm held up in front of
the body.
Step either left or right foot backward and let the
attacker's blow pass in front. Bring cane downward
to the left. Hit the outside of the attacker’s cane so
that his momentum carries him to your left
 Chapter 6
SELF-DEFENSE TECHNIQUES
 OBJECTIVES

At the end of the chapter, the students are

expected to:
1. identify the different blocking techniques in Arnis.
2. demonstrate the proper way of executing the
blocking techniques in Arnis.
3. appreciate the benefits derived from using the
appropriate blocking techniques in Arnis.
 INTRODUCTION
Self-defense is the soul of Arnis ; it is Arnis’ reason for
being as the legend goes. One learns Arnis not for aggression,
not to take advantage of untrained opponent in combative art,
but to defend himself only when attacked. For Arnis is a gift
of the ancient to people who are oppressed that the force of
aggression would not triumph over those of the peace-loving
who hate war for what it brings and love only peace, but who
will not hesitate to fight to defend themselves when they find
their backs against the wall. In short, Arnis is only used by
people who are by nature good at heart.
 LESSON 1
OUTBALANCING AND GRABBING

This techniques is actually complementary to self-defense

and designed to stall further strokes of the opponent by putting
him in a circumstance preparatory to disarming him or
rendering him helpless to a counter-attack. It could be effective
in reducing the morale or aggressiveness of the opponent since
this technique, once executed and successful, could usher in a
psychological perspective of expertise or superiority on the part
of the player before his opponent who may decide to give up or
discontinue the bout. Initially, it is the portent of the ability of
the player which gives the opponent an idea of what will be
coming to him if he decides to continue the fight.
 LESSON 1
OUTBALANCING AND GRABBING

The technique of grabbing is employed to assist

the techniques in outbalancing. Both then
complement each other. Grabbing consummates
what outbalancing technique has started to bring
about the objective of outbalancing. The technique
in grabbing is used to effect unequal distribution of
body weight which when attained could easily
result in outbalancing once its technique is
simultaneous employed.
 LESSON 1
OUTBALANCING AND GRABBING

These twin techniques, so to speak,

necessitate the use of feet and hands which
should coordinate each other in the execution
of movements. This is a typical example of a
fighting technique which brings into focus the
ideal partnership of hands and feet for a
successful project of out-balancing and
rendering the opponent harmless or
ineffective.
 LESSON 1.1
LEFT-SIDE-PULLING

1. Attacker aims to strike at the defender’s right side.

Defender stands alert.
2. As the attacker strikes, defender block inward with his
own cane and quickly grabs the attacker’s wrist with his
left hand, applying a hard twist to the left on the
attacker's right hand. (This is another _ instance where an
outward block can be applied.
3. The defender then pulls the attacker's hand with his
left hand to the left to outbalance him as he swings his
cane backward for counter strike at attacker's left temple.
 LESSON 1.2.
RIGHT-SIDE PULLING

1. The attacker lunges with a right forward stance aiming to strike

from the distribution of his right shoulder at the left side of the
defender who is on the alert.
2. As the attacker strikes, the defender in a right forward stance
blocks attacker’s cane using an outward force-to-force block with
his own cane as his left hand grabs the wrist of the attacking hand.
2.a The defender then twists his body to the right as he pulls
attacker’s hand to outbalance him.
3. With the attacker outbalanced, the defender swings his right
hand holding the cane to his back to strike at attacker's head with
the base of his cane.
Chapter 7
ANYO OR FORM
 OBJECTIVES

At the end of the chapter, the students are

expected to:
1. Identify the different forms (anyo) techniques
in Arnis.
2. demonstrate the proper way of executing the
different forms (anyo) in Arnis.
3. appreciate the benefits derived from using the
appropriate blocking techniques in Arnis.
 INTRODUCTION
Anyo or form in Arnis in a backdrop of gracefulness when the
execution of the various exercises is observed in correct rhythmic order. It
is akin to - terpsichorean technique only it employs cane for added
dimension to the movements, since it is a martial dance, as Arnis is a
martial art. In fact, in anyo or form, one finds the basic techniques of attack
and counter attack in the form of exercises.
Anyo or form is an individual movement. This is executed with cane on
one hand. It is a form of exercise or practice of movement which leads to
the perfection of the art of Arnis itself because it encompasses all the basic
movements executed in coordinated fashion.
A student should therefore give this aspect of Arnis training an artist's
fidelity to his art by religiously practicing the required exercises.
 FORM I. INITIAL POSITION:
(RIGHT)

Step1. Close stance, the courtesy bow, then to

open-leg stance, both hands holding the cane.
Step2. Step right foot forward to assume the
right forward stance, and execute the inward
downward block left hand held across chest and
open palm in an alert position.
Step3. Step left foot forward, then swing your
cane backward and execute the downward-outward
block.
 FORM I. INITIAL POSITION:
(RIGHT)

Step4. Step your right feet, entirely facing towards left,

and assume the straddle-leg stance. Bring the cane to the
left and then execute a parallel forward strike arms
extended to the front.
Step5. Step right, foot backward -and assume the left
forward stance as cane is withdrawn backward, and execute
the downward-inward block.
Step6. Step left foot backward and assume the right
forward stance. At the same time, withdraw cane to the
right and backward then execute the downward-outward
block.
 FORM I. INITIAL POSITION:
(RIGHT)

Step7. Step left foot forward, half-facing to the right, and execute
the inward block, with the left hand in open palm bracing the middle
of the cane.
Step8. Step right foot forward, half facing to the left, and execute
the outward block with the left hand as its open palm braces the
middle area of the cane.
Step9. Step right foot backward and execute the upper blow by
swinging the cane downward and upward to the right, cutting a
diagonal line from the right ribs of the opponent up and beyond the
left collar bone. Then step left foot backward and execute the
outward upper blow, the movement to end in such a way that the
right angle with the elbow pointing to the outside and the tip of the
cane pointing forward.
 FORM I. INITIAL POSITION:
(RIGHT)

Step10. Plant both feet firmly on the floor or ground

twist the wrist of your arm with Cane to the left, and swing
the Same arm over the head, and backward so that the
trajectory of the cane will cut a circle over the head.
Then .bring the cane . downward, and execute the
downward-outward block.

(Note: from movement 8 to 10, the cane cuts a figure 8)

Step11. Step right foot backward, and the same time,

withdraw right arm upward over your left shoulder, and
execute the downward-inward block.