Definition of Arnis

Arnis, also known as Eskrima and Kali, is the national sport and martial art of the
Philippines. The three are roughly interchangeable umbrella terms for the traditional
martial arts of the Philippines (" Filipino Martial Arts," or FMA) that emphasize weapon-
based fighting with sticks, knives, bladed weapons and various improvised weapons. It
is also known as Estoque ( Spanish for rapier), Estocada (Spanish for thrust or stab)
and Garrote (Spanish for club). In Luzon they may go by the name of Arnis de Mano.

The indigenous martial art that the Spanish encountered in 1610 was not yet called
"arnis" at that time. During those times, this martial art was known as Paccalicali-t to the
Ibanags, Didya (later changed to Kabaroan) to the Ilocanos, Sitbatan or Kalirongan to
Pangasinenses, Sinawali to the Kapampangans ("to weave"), Calis or Pananandata
(use of weapons) to the Tagalogs, Pagaradman to the Ilonggos and Kaliradman to the
Cebuanos. Kuntaw and Silat are separate martial arts that are also practiced in the
Philippine Archipelgo.

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.

Brief History of Modern Arnis

Modern Arnis is the system of Filipino fighting arts founded by Remy Presas as a self-
defense system. Filipino arts are not really considered “martial” because they were used
by the average citizen to combat invaders, and, potentially, other citizens. His goal was
to create an injury-free training method as well as an effective self-defense system in
order to preserve the older Arnis systems. It is derived principally from the traditional
Presas family style of the Bolo (machete) and the stick-dueling art of Balintawak
Eskrima, with influences from other Filipino and Japanese martial arts.

Striking and Block Points

12 Striking Points
#1 - Left side of the head attack
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

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.

#6 - Left Chest Stab

In this strike, the practitioner will assume the fighting stance with the weapon of choice
in his hands. The weapon hand is then extended to the front with the palm facing
outward and the elbow kept up. This strike can cause real damage to the rib cage. A
weapon like a knife, spear or sword will end your opponent’s life immediately as it
punctures the lungs and the heart.

#7 - Right Chest Stab

After assuming fighting stance, the practitioner will practice the scooping action. The
weapon hand is then extended forward with the palm facing outward. The elbow should
be kept up in order to deliver an efficient strike to the right lung that will puncture it and
end your opponent’s life immediately.

#8 - Left Lower Leg

A practitioner here will try to deliver a powerful strike to the lower leg, targeting the
knee, the shin or the ankle. The aim of the strike is to throw your opponent off balance
and immobilize him. Using the right weapon, you might be able to break a bone or even
cut a limb. The warrior is supposed to lower his body while extending the weapon arm.
He should hold the palm upward and hit any part of the lower leg.

#9 - Right Lower Leg

This strike is just like the previous one. The practitioner will extend the weapon hand
and lower his body to hit the knee, the shin or the ankle. This time the palm should face
downward.

#10 - Left Eye Poke

A targeted thrust to the eye socket will not just blind your opponent, but will also deliver
real damage to the brain. Using a sharp weapon like a sibat or the right baston can end
your opponent’s life right there.The practitioner should assume fighting stance then
extend the weapon hand forward with the palm facing outward and the elbow kept
down.

#11 - Right Eye Poke

This thrust is similar to the previous one except that the practitioner will have to hold his
elbow down. This will allow him to hit the eye precisely with the right weapon
penetrating all the way through to the brain.

#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.

6 Blocking Points

#1 - Blocking an attack to the left side

#2 - Blocking an attack to the right side
#3 - Blocking an attack to the solar plexus or chest
#4 - Blocking an attack to the stomach
#5 - Blocking an attack to the Lower Body
#6 - Blocking to the attack at the center of the head