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UNIT 3: STANCES AND POSTURE

3.0 Intended Learning Outcomes

a. Explain the importance of proper body stance and body shifting during the
execution of Arnis.
b. Briefly discuss the rules on how to play Arnis; and
c. Execute the skills involved in the traditional form of striking techniques and
their application.

3.1 Introduction
As discussed in the previous lesson, by now it may be clear to you that
the aim of this subject is not only physical development but also to equip
learners with knowledge, skills, capacities, values, and the enthusiasm to
maintain and carry on a healthy lifestyle. It promotes physical fitness, develops
motor skills and the understanding of rules, concepts and strategies of playing
games and sports. Students learn to either work as part of a team, or as
individuals in a wide variety of competitive activities. On an individual level,
this unit is an agent for health and wellness that can promote personal
responsibility and control for active lifestyles. However, equally as important,
physical education focuses students' attention on understanding the problems
of the social environment that may inhibit them and others from pursuing
active lifestyles.

3.2 Topic/ Discussion (Assessment/ Activities)

3.2.1 Stances
Arnis enjoys the status of the de jure national sport of the Philippines. It
is a martial art characterized by the use of “swinging and twirling movements,
accompanied by striking, thrusting and parrying techniques for defense and
offense.” Having been handed down from generation to generation for
centuries, the discipline hones the skill, speed, accuracy and agility of its
practitioners.
Stances are stationary “fighting” positions” which assumes prior to the
execution of any offensive or defensive movement. These various stances give
the Arnis practitioner an understanding of proper distribution of weight on
the feet and maintaining proper balance to ensure fluid mobility, agility, and
shifting from one position to another.

 Attention or Formal Stances – Stand attention like a soldier in line

formation, but relaxed, with the heels together and the feet pointing
at an angle of 45 degrees. The hands are in front of the thighs holding
the stick at both ends.

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 Open Leg Stances – Same as above, but with legs about shoulder-
width apart.

 Right and Left Forward Stances (or “Fighting Stance”) –

a. Slide or step R foot forward with the knee bent, L leg
straight at the back; weight is greater on the front leg
because the trunk is slightly bent forward;

b. R arm holding stick pointed diagonally upward left is slightly

bent at elbows and in front of chest, the L hand with fingers
extended pointing diagonally upward right ids place directly
behind the stick in front of the chest. This position of the arms and
hands is, for purpose of this Manual, considered the “Fighting
Stance.” Opposite movement is executed for left-handed
individuals.

c. For Left Forward Stance, slide or step L foot forward, maintain the
same arm position.

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 Right and Left Backward Stances – R leg is stepped backward,

shifting he weight on R foot and trunk bent slightly backward; L leg
slightly bent in front. Arms and hands in the same “Fighting Stance”
position. Opposite movement for left-handed individuals.

Note Stance Nos. 3 and 4 are similar although in the former, the
trunk is bent forward and in the latter, it is bent backward.
Thus. By shifting the weight forward and the backward, with the
corresponding trunk movements, one can assume the two stances
alternately. Use this as an introductory drill for the next skill which
is Body Shifting.

 Right and Left Cat Stances – This is executed from the backward
Stance position by merely raising the front foot off the ground so
that only the toe is supporting the foot. Much of the body weight is
on the rear leg. Arms and hands in the same “Fighting Stance“
position.

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 Straddle Stance – This is similar to the Open Leg Stance, except that
the feet are spread much wider (beyond shoulder-width distance),
knees bent and the weight evenly distributed on both feet. Arms and
hands in “Fighting Stance” position.

 Oblique Forward Right and Left Stances – This is similar to the

Forward and Left Stances, except that instead of placing the front
leg directly in front, it is placed obliquely or diagonally either right
or left forward, depending on whether one is right or left-handed.
Arms and hands in “Fighting Stance” position.

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3.2.2 Body Shifting

Body shiftings consist of stepping, sliding, turning, and twisting or
combinations of these foot movements when executing the body stances
describe earlier. Always start these movements in the Attention or Open Leg
Stance with the arms and hands in “Fighting Stances” position.

 “Stepping in” to Forward Stance – Execute the Forward Right and

Left Stances by alternately stepping or sliding the R and L feet
moving forward. (Note: The command for moving forward is
“stepping in”.

 “Stepping in” to Backward Stance – Similar to above No. 1, except

that you are moving backward. (Note: The command is “stepping
backward”.

 “Stepping in” to Obliquely Forward Right and Left - Execute the

Obliquely Forward Right and Left Body Shiftings, by sliding or
stepping the feet obliquely or diagonally forward right and left
alternately and advancing forward.

 “Stepping Back” to Obliquely Backward Left and Right - From

Open Leg Stance, do the Oblique Backward Left and Right Body
shiftings ny stepping or sliding the L foot backward, followed by
the R foot, and moving backward by alternately stepping or
sliding both feet.

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3.2.3 Traditional form of Striking Technique and their application

 Solo baston- In this form, the arnisador fights with a single stick,
called a baston.

 Doble baston- Here the arnisador uses two bastons of equal

length.

 Espada- When the arnisador wields a long baston and a shorter

one simultaneously.
 Dos manos- When the arnisador grips the stick with two hands. In
this form the stick is longer, from thirty-five to forty-five inches tip
to tip.
 Bare-hand fighting called mano-mano.

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Activity 1:
Knowledge Assessment
Directions: Read the following statements regarding on the different principles applied for
each movement. Explain the benefit/s you can get in the execution of selected movements.
Name: ___________________________ Date: ___________ Score: ___________
Course/Yr. Sec.: ________________ Instructor/Prof: _____________________

1. Stances are stationary “fighting position” which assumes prior to the execution of
any offensive and defensive movement. What factors involved in various stances
that gives the Arnis practitioner an understanding to maintain balance, ensure
mobility and agility?
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2. Body shifting consist of stepping, sliding, turning, and twisting or combinations
of these foot movements when executing the body stances. What benefit can you
get when you follow the principle specifically applicable for this motor
movements?
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Activity 2:
Performance Assessment
Direction: Watch the following links below, then perform the suggested Arnis Stances
provided for you.
https://youtube/44X48oKxvaE

https://youtube/OSbORTaHTZo

13

` https://youtube/5O9xqPp6O0M

Using your gadgets, perform the following:

1. Stances
- attention or formal stances
- open leg stance
- right and left forward stance
- right and left backward stance
- right and left cat stance
- straddle stance
- oblique forward right and left stance
2. Body shifting
- stepping in forward
- stepping in backward
- obliquely forward right and left
- obliquely backward right and left
Note: You may refer to the discussion above or watch the links provided, send it to
through google classroom.

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3.3 References
Agustin S. (2021, May 6). Body shifting. Youtube.
https://youtube/5O9xqPp6O0M
Armando C. Soteco. 1997 “ A Pratical Introduction to Arnis”. MJ Educational
Supply.
CSU Physical Education Department. (2021, May 6). Grip and stances. Youtube.
https://youtube/OSbORTaHTZo
Doris D. Tulio, 2008 “ Physical Education 3 for College”. National Bookstore
Publishing.
Guerrero Arnis de Mano. (2021, May 6). How to properly hold an arnis stick.
Youtube. https://youtube/44X48oKxvaE
Jesus Balingit, R.A., Balingit, F.B., Balingit, 2007 “Combat Judo, Fundamental of
Martial Arts and Disarming Techniques”, Neolot Laser Printing.
Krichelle A. Tungpalan, Gabriel Luna. 2013 “Fundamentals of Sports”. St.
Andrew Publishing House.
Soteco, Armando C., A practical Introduction to ANIS in in 12 Easy Lessons,
Revised Edition 1997

3.4 Acknowledgment

The images, tables, figures and information contained in this module were
taken from the references cited above.

C. M. D. Hamo-ay