ARNIS

CONTENTS
01 02
Basic 12 Striking
Stances in Techniques in
Arnis Arnis
 Basic
01 Stances in
Arnis
Ready Stance
Ready Stance
Stand with your feet apart parallel to the
shoulder with both toes pointing forward.  
The knees should be straight, the waist and the
body facing forward.  Hands are on waist
level and the hands should hold the sticks on
both sides.  The ready stance is commonly
used when standing at ease during training or
tournaments.
Forward Stance
Forward Stance
Starting with the ready stance, move one foot forward
until the knee and the toe are in line to each other. 
Both toes are pointing in front, the waist and the body
is facing forward.   The body should not be too low or
the lead foot too extended otherwise it will be hard to
maneuver.  Distribute the weight or center of gravity to
both legs.  Forward stances can be right foot lead,
which is the Right Foot Forward Stance or it can be
left foot lead which is Left Foot Forward Stance.
Forward Stance are commonly used with frontal
striking or blocking techniques.
Straddle Stance
Straddle Stance
Starting with the ready stance, move one foot about two
feet (2’) to the left or the right direction until both lower
legs are almost perpendicular to the ground.   Both toes
are pointing in front, the waist and the body is facing
forward.  The body should not be too low or extended
otherwise it will be hard to maneuver.  Distribute the
weight or center of gravity to both legs.  Straddle stance
are also called Horseback Riding Stance since it mimics
position when riding on a horse back.  Straddle stances
are commonly used for blocking the strikes to the side
of the body.
Back Stance
Back Stance
Starting with the ready stance, move one foot
backward 45 degrees away from the body. The heels of
the foot should form an imaginary “L” shape while the
legs are in a straddle position.  The body should not be
too low or extended otherwise it will be hard to
maneuver.  Distribute the weight or center of gravity to
both legs.  Back stances can be right foot lead, which
is the Right Foot Back Stance or it can be left foot lead
which is Left Foot Back Stance.  Back stances are used
for blocking and backward evasion techniques.
 12 Striking
02 Techniques in
Arnis
1. Left side of the
head attack
1. Left side of the head attack

A diagonal swinging down the forehand to

the left temple.
• Assume fighting stances
• Stick held at one o-clock slashing action
• Free hand on the Chest
2. Right side of the
head attack
2. Right side of the head attack

A diagonal swinging back

to the right temple.
3. Left side of the body
or torso
3. Left side of the body or torso

Left arm or elbow. The 3rd

striking technique allows the
practitioner to stretch his weapon
hand, making it easier for him to
hit some part of the enemy
between his shoulders and hips.
4. Right side of the
body or torso
4. Right side of the body or torso

Left arm or elbow. Same as the 3rd

blow, except this time the
practitioner can extend the weapon
hand to blow every part of the body
between the shoulder and the hips in
a slashing swing on the right.
5. Thrust to the
stomach
5. Thrust to the stomach

In this attack, the practitioner will

drive his weapon hand to the
stomach, followed by an upward
movement that will slash through the
body of his opponent.
6. Left chest stab
6. Left chest stab

In this attack, the firearm hand is

then extended to the front with
the palm faced outward and the
elbow held up where this attack
may inflict damage to the rib
cage.
7. Right chest stab
7. Right chest stab
In this position, the practitioner is
going to practice scooping. The
weapon hand is then stretched
forward, with the palm facing
outwards. To deliver the strike
properly, the elbow should be kept up
puncturing the opponent bright lung.
8. Left lower leg
8. Left lower leg
In this technique, the practitioner will deliver a
powerful strike to the opponent lower leg,
mainly the knee, the angle or the ankle which
throws off the opponents balance and
immobilize him. The warrior is expected to
lower his body by doing this (extending his
shield arm). Keep his hand up to hit every part
of the lower leg of the opponent.
9. Right lower leg
9. Right lower leg

Again, like the 8th strike, the main

target here is the right lower leg
which immobilize the opponent.
By doing this, the palm should
face downward.
10. Left eye poke
10. Left eye poke

The target here is the left eye socket.

In order to perform it properly, the
practitioner should assume a combat
posture and then stretch the arm hand
forward with the palm facing
outward with the elbow held down.
11. Right eye poke
11. Right eye poke

Same as the 10th strike technique.

The practitioner would have to keep
his elbow down to the right eye of
the opponent to perform it properly.
 12. Strike to the
crown/top of head
12. Strike to the crown/top of head

The last strike would be a straight

downward swing, aimed towards the
crown of the head, which might
throw away the mobility and
balance of the opponent.
THANK YOU