A.

HISTORY
Arnis is a form of martial art that originated from the Philippine islands, which existed before the
Spanish occupation in the 1500s. This martial art involves the use of sticks and bladed weapons
for combat. The origin of Arnis can be traced back to native "Pintados" or then "Tintadus" fighting
techniques during conflicts among the various Prehispanic Filipino tribes or kingdoms, though the
current form has Spanish influence from old fencing which originated in Spain in the 15th century.
History Timeline of Arnis
1521. Lapu-Lapu and his troops employed an indigenous combat method to beat Ferdinand
Magellan in the legendary Battle of Mactan
1564. The Spaniards returned to the Philippines, landing at Abuyog, Leyte this time. The
conquistadors, led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, expected more bloodbath.
1764. The Spanish were unduly anxious about the possibility of an uprising by the Filipinos, so
they outlawed all forms of kali including bladed weapons.
1853. The name kali was totally supplanted by Arnis (or Eskrima), a derivative of the phrase Arnis
1898. The Katipunero brandishing the itak or bolo has since become the symbol of the brave fight
against Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines. Dr. Jose P. Rizal reveals in his memoirs that he
taught Arnis to the children of Dapitan
1969. Some public and private school instructors in Arnis were instructed by Mr. Remy A. Presas.
He called his style as “Modern Arnis.
2006. The games were held at Naga City, Bicol, with nine of the seventeen regions of the
Philippines participating.
2009. Arnis has been designated as the Philippines' national martial art and sport by the Philippine
government.

B. NATURE
Arnis is only known as a traditional Filipino martial art. Its origin in the culture and history of the
Filipino people is still unknown. It remains unclear because there are no written documents. It is
believed that the Spaniards destroyed and prohibited the practice of martial arts.
During the Spanish time, this kind of self-defense or art of fighting involves the use of the following:
onestick, paired stick, a long and short stick, and a sharp weapon. These were used even before
the Spaniards came to the Philippines.
Lapulapu is known to be the first master of Arnis because he fought and won the battle with
Magellan and his men not with a hail of bullets but with wooden instruments, spears and bolos.
Even though the Spanish soldiers had more weapons, they were unsuccessful and their weapons
were useless. With the wooden arms of Lapulapu and his warriors, Magellan lost that battle at
thes ame time losing his own life.
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi had recognized the skills of the Filipinos in martial arts and in stick and
sword fighting. Some evidence showed that the Filipinos were also using the art of Arnis in some
stage plays like Moro-moro and some Muslim dances even before the Spaniards ruled the
Philippines.
Arnes de mano came to be known by this term due to its Spanish influence. The term originated
from the Spanish word arnes, which means “trappings” or “defensive armor.

C. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

The game is played by using prescribed padded stick in delivering artistic and legal blows, strikes,
thrusts, and disarming the opponent to gain score.
• COMPITATION AREA
Shall refers to the area by which the conduct of the competition shall beset or held including the
free zone around it.
• DIMENSIONS
The playing area is a square measuring 8.0 meters by 8.0 meters with a two (2) meters minimum
free zone around it, and a clear space without any obstruction up to a height not less than 5
meters from the playing surface.
• LINE OF THE PLAYING AREA
All line of the playing surface is 5.08 cm.
(2 inches) and must be of the floor and other lines previously drawn for other purposes.
• BOUNDARY LINE
Four lines mark the boundary of the playing area. The free zone distance measuring 2.0 meters
are drawn outside of the playing area.
• MATCH LINES
Two lines of 1.0 meter long and 2.0 meters apart mark the horizontal match line. The horizontal
match line are drawn 3 meters from the boundary lines that
run perpendicularly to the official’s table, and 3.5 meters from the boundary line that run parallel
to the official’s table.

• WEAPON
The padded stick shall be the official weapon of the player.
The specification of which shall be in accordance with the i-ARNIS standard.
No other similar material will be allowed to be used in any local, national or international
competition.
Each padded stick shall be properly foam-cushioned and shall have a maximum grip diameter of
not more than 3.81cm.
(1 ½ inch) and length of 76.20cm (30 inches for men and women). The length of padded stick
shall be 27 inches for boys and girls.
Both padded sticks shall be color-coded, one red and the other blue.
• HEAD PROTECTOR
Refers to a pair of protective head gear to include an impact worthy facemask, the specifications
of which shall be in accordance with the i-ARNIS standard. Both headgears must be color-coded,
one red the other blue, to match the padded stick of the player.
• BODY PROTECTOR
Refers to a pair of protective body protector, properly cushioned, the specifications of which shall
be in accordance with the i-ARNIS standard. Male and female player must both wear body
protector and groin protector. Body protector and groin protectors’ specifications shall be in
accordance with the i-ARNIS standard. Both body protectors and groin protectors shall be color
coded to match the color of the player. Forearm and shin guards are compulsory. The
specifications shall be in accordance with i-ANIS standard. Both shin &forearm guards must be
color of the player.
• SCOREBOARDS
A pair of scoreboard, either manually or electronically operated, the specifications of which shall
be in accordance with the i-ARNIS standard.
Two score boards per contest area shall be placed at diagonally opposite at diagonally opposite
corners outside the playing area, inside the competition area within the free zone, right where the
judges are positioned.
• FLAGS
Two sets of red and blue flags, the size of which is 30 cm by 25 cm, are used by the judges in
declaring decisions or asking for consultations.
One yellow flag, size 30 cm by 25 cm.
For timer’s use to signal the start and the end of each round and to declare
a time-out and resumption of the game.
• OTHER EQUIPMENT
Stopwatch is use to keep the two-minutes per round. This includes interruptions such as injury,
changing of broken stick. A gong and mallet or other similar audible substitutes such as whistle,
bell or buzzer shall be provided for the timer to indicate the start and end of the round. A table
shall be provided for the TIMER and RECORDER which shall be situated one (1) meter in front
of the playing area so that time signals are audible enough to both players and referee

D. TYPES OF ARNIS
The two major types of Arnis practiced as sports are the system followed by WEKAF (World
Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation) which was established in 1989, and is recognized internationally;
and the other system followed by Arnis Philippines (ARPI), established in 1986, which was used
prominently during the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.
1. World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (“WEKAF”)
WEKAF is the most common system of Arnis art which is used internationally. It was established
in 1989. The system works on the 10-point ‘must’ system that is quite similar to boxing. Here, the
participants spar with live sticks wearing a long padded vest, skirts and sleeves. In this system,
hitting below the thigh is strictly prohibited. This system emphasizes heavy offence at the expense
of defensive techniques, and the combatants are seen hitting each other in a disorganized
manner. Hence, the "four-second rule" according to which the participants were forbidden to use
the same strike for more than twice in succession. This system is preferred by participants who
want to test themselves.
2. Arnis Philippines System (“ARPI”)
The Arnis Philippines system was established before the WEKAF system (in 1986) and adapted
the scoring system similar to fencing. The matches are observed by multiple judges to mark fouls
and the loudness of the impact judges the strike strength. The participants score points by
disarming their opponent or by forcing them to step out of the ring. In the ‘ARPI’ system,
participants use padded sticks with light rattan cores (wooden stem) in place of live sticks as they
are tenderer and flex while attacking.

E. FOUNDER AND GRANDMASTERS OF ARNIS

Remy Amador Presas
Remy Amador Presas was the founder of Modern Arnis, a popular Filipino martial art. Born in the
Philippines, he moved to the United States in 1974, where he taught his art via seminars and
camps.
Grandmaster Jonathan Makiling-Abaya,Ph.D.
Grand Master Laso
Grand Master Vic
Grand Master Presas
Grandmaster Ver Villasin
Grandmaster Remy Presas
Master Samuel Bambit Dulay
Grandmaster Rolando Dantes
F. OFFICIATING RULES
• Hits, slashes, and witticks are all legal. Punots, pokes and stabs are all illegal.
• Target areas are: 1) front and sides of the body, 2) arms and hands, 3) top, front and sides of
the helmet.
• Kicks are allowed below the neck and above the waist only.
• In single stick competition, it is NOT legal to block a stick with your free hand. However, “arm
stopping” at quarto range or arm checking is allowed.
• Fighters are required to exhibit a realistic defense (movement, parrying, intelligent blocking)
• No takedowns. No grappling, wrestling or hooking.
• No pushing or striking with any part of your body.
• No foot sweeps or throws, thrusting or butt strikes, 2 handed strikes.
• No strikes or kicks below the waistline or direct strikes to the back.
• No kicks below the waist or above the neck.
• No knee strikes or elbow strikes.
• Checks may be used to create distance but may NOT be directed to the face. Checks are
allowed below the neck and above the waist free hand or two hands on weapon (AKA rifle
checking).
• Trapping and parrying are allowed. Locking and holding are not.
• An instantaneous “Hold and Hit” with immediate release is allowed.
• In the event inaction or ineffective action in the clinch, referee will call time and break clinch.
• Disarms must be immediate, or have an immediate release (1 – 2 rule applies).
• Joints may not be locked or twisted for a disarm.
• You may use the ring to control the action. You may not use it to avoid action.
• To signal surrender or stop action for an injury, equipment failure, etc., raise both hands and
back up. Do not turn away.

G. SAFETY MEASURES
Arnis is an injury-free self-defense, some safety awareness should still be part of the martialart
discipline. The following safety measure should be considered:
• Medical Check-Up
• Do warm-up exercises
• Prepare a first aid kit during all sessions
• Be attentive all the time
• Be familiar on the proper use of arnis sticks
• Make sure you wear good protective equipment when sparring
• You have to strengthen muscles and condition the body to handle the stresses of training
REFERENCES
A. HISTORY
https://www.reference.com/world-view/brief-history-arnis-6d9f12dd52d4b20c
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnis#:~:text=The%20origin%20of%20Arnis%20can,Spain%20in%
20the%2015th%20century.
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/ateneo-de-davao-university/business-
management/timeline-history-arnis-make-a-mission-statement-that-work-maintain-an-open-
door-policy/21947508
B. NATURE
https://www.scribd.com/document/432226174/ARNIS
C. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
https://www.academia.edu/36698596/FACILITIES_AND_EQUIPMENT_OF_ARNIS#:~:text=Mal
e%20and%20female%20player%20must,and%20shin%20guards%20are%20compulsory.
D. TYPES OF ARNIS
https://sportsmatik.com/sports-corner/sports-know-how/arnis/about
E. FOUNDER AND GRANDMASTERS OF ARNIS
https://artsandculture.google.com/entity/remy-presas/m07y3fk?hl=en
http://lejem.weebly.com/we-honor-the-numerous-contributions-of-filipino-martial-arts-
grandmaster.html
F. OFFICIATING RULES
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/central-philippine-university/ab-political-science-and-
public-administration/rules-and-regulations/22769581
G. SAFETY MEASURES
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/rizal-technological-university/financial-
management/physical-education-reviewer/20803545