Arnis

Arnis, also known as Eskrima and Kali, is the national

sport and martial art of the Philippines. It is a
traditional martial arts of the philippines that
emphasized weapon-based fighting with sticks,
knives, bladed weapons and various improvised
weapons. Arnis also includes hand-to-hand combat,
joint locks, grappling and weapon disarming
techniques. Although in general, emphasis is put on
weapons for this arts, some systems put empty
hands as the primary focus and some old school
systems do not teach weapons at all.
 Arnis is the Philippines national martial art and
sports, after President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo
signed the Republic Act. No. 9850 in 2009. RA 9850
is expected to help propagate arnis as a modern
martial art/sport that can compete with its popular
foreign-originated brethren like taekwando, karate
and judo. The act mandated Department of
Education to include the sport as a Physical
Education course. Arnis will be included among the
priority sports in Palarong Pambansa (National
Games) beginning 2010.
 Modern Arnis
 Is the system of Filipino martial arts founded by the late Remy Presas as
a self-defense system . 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 . The term Modern Arnis was used by Remy
Presas’ younger brother Ernesto Presas to describe his style of Filipino
martial arts ; since 1999 Ernesto Presas called his system Kombatan . 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 .
Name: Remgio Amador Presas
Born: December 19, 1936
Hinigaran, Negros Occidental
Died: August 28, 2001 (brain cancer)
Victoria, Canada
Occupation: Teacher and Martial artist
Known for: founding Modern Arnis
 TRAINING
One of the characteristics of Filipino martial arts is the use
of weapons from the very beginning of training and Modern
Arnis is no exception. The primary weapon is the rattan
stick, called a cane or baston (baton), which varies in size,
but is usually about 28 inches (71 cm) in length. Both single
and double stick techniques are taught, with an emphasis on
the former; unarmed defenses against the stick and against
bladed weapons (which the stick is sometimes taken to
represent) are a part of the curriculum.
 Belt Ranks
Rank Belt Active Practice Requirements Title

Lakan Antas 10 Black with gold stripes Lifetime Practice Grandmaster Remy A. Presas

Lakan Antas 9 Black with gold stripes Lifetime Practice Grandmaster Remy A. Presas

Lakan Antas 8 Black with silver stripes 20 years to 30 years Senior Master

Lakan Antas 7 Black with silver stripes 15 years to 20 years Senior Master

Lakan Antas 6 Black with orange stripes 10 years to 15 years Master Instructor

Lakan Antas 5 Black with white stripes two bar 8 years to 10 years Master in Modern Arnis

Lakan Antas 4 Black with white stripes one bar 5 years to 8 years Associate Master

Lakan Antas 3 Black with white stripes 3 years to 5 years Senior Instructor

Lakan Antas 2 Black with red stripes one bar 2 years and 5 months Instructor

Lakan Antas 1 Black with red stripes 2 years Associate Instructor

Lakan Black with blue stripes 1 year and 5 months Apprentice / Instructor
 Many groups use a "zero-degree" black belt rank as a probationary stage that
comes before Isa. The actual name of the ranks is gender-specific. For men the
rank is referred to as Lakan (Tagalog for male) while for women it is referred to
as Dayang (Tagalog for "female").Thus, a first degree black belt in Modern Arnis
would be referred to as either Lakan Isa or a Dayang Isa, depending on his or
her gender. The "zero-degree" rank, if used, is referred to as
simply Lakan or Dayang. The black belt is traditionally bordered with red;
however, some groups use a plain black belt
GAME
CHARACTERISTICS
Arnis A combative sport played by two individuals using padded sticks with full
body protective gears in a court measuring 8.0 x 8.0 meters, in smooth and well-
kept surface. Players are paired / blind matched in different weight categories.
The game is played by using prescribed padded stick in delivering artistic and legal
blows, strikes, thrusts, and disarming the opponent to gain scores.
The winner of the match is decided by best of three rounds. Each round lasts for
two minutes.
 FACILITIES
COMPETITION AREA
Shall refer to the area by which the conduct of the competition shall be set or held including
the free zone around it.

1.1 Dimensions

1.2 Lines of the Playing Area

1.3 Outside Lines

1.9 Position of Players
1.4 Match Lines
Before the game starts, players must be
positioned in the playing area so that bthe
1.5 Referee Line
red-coded player is at the right side of the
referee and the blue-coded player is on
1.6 Warning Lines
his left side.
1.7 Playing Surface

1.8 Neutral Surface

 TIMER RECORDER SCORE
BOARD

one meter free zone JUDGE

one meter warning area

B  
L 2 meters apart R
U E
E D

REFFEREE

JUDGE
8 by 8 meters Playing Area

10 by 10 meters Competition Area

SCORE
BOARD
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.

Stopwatch is use to keep the two-minutes per round. This excludes interruptions
such as injury, changing of broken padded 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.
EQUIPMENTS

• Stick

Each padded stick shall be properly

foam cushioned and shall have a
maximum grip diameter of not more
than 3.81 cm. (1 1/2 inch) and lengthof
76.20 cm(30 inches for men and
women). The length of padded stick
shall be cm (27 inches for boys and
girls).
• Head protector/head
gear

• Body protector
• Groin protector

• Forearm and shin

guard
 Rules of Engagement
• Opponents will begin and end all matches with a salute or bow to each other
and the judges.

• Referee will position fighters beyond largo range at the start of every round.

• Only attacks with the stick and feet are allowed.

• Hits, and slashes are legal. Punots, pokes and stabs are all illegal.
• Target areas are:

A. Head and neck

B. Arms and collars including

hands

C. Torso (from chest down to

waist)

D. Armpit to thigh

E. Full length of leg including feet

• 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.
CORNER AND COACHING
Fighter is required to have at least one corner person with maximum of two.
Coaching may only be done during break in the action. Corner men are not to
communicate with their fighter while action is in progress. Do not remove any
equipment, until the end of the match. Helmet may be removed between rounds.
JUDGING, SCORING &
OFFICIATING
All matches scored by 3 judges on the “10 Point Must” system prior to deductions.
Deductions will be issued by referee only. Judges may issue bonus points for exemplary
technique. Scoring is based on: Quantity of strikes, Effectiveness of Striking and Ring
Generalship.

In single stick competition, disarms shall be scored as part of the match as a mandatory
point deduction. 3 disarms will result in a knock-out.

In double stick competition, a fighter will not be deducted if disarmed – the fighter will
continue to fight with one weapon until the end of the round.
A fighter who loses both weapons will automatically lose the match.
 Safety Tips in Playing Arnis

a) Character- a ruffian has no place in Arnis let alone in sports. Refinement in

character is important. A student must be taught the moral (and religious) values of
everything. It is an obligation of the teacher of Arnis to mold the character of the
student in such a way that his behavioral structure would be motivated by righteous
desire. It is what a man is that counts not the number of trophies he won. In spite of
the abetted fallacies of values of the present world, it is who you are that will matter in
the end.
b) Sincerity- sincerity for victory's sake is not the all--consuming end of an Arnis
player. It is the sincerity in him to his fellowman and to his art that makes him shine
in the array of men. The will to win maybe inculcated, but such tutelage should
never end after the tick of the ultimate second in the game but beyond the canvass
and the arena of competition. The martial art of Arnis, it should be remembered, is
a good medium of development man's sense of dedication in all his everyday
endeavor and involvement. Sincerity is the mother of trust and trust makes an
institution of what has been shattered by doubts. A man who is not sincere will
never have a true friend.
c) Discipline- Arnis is a molder of discipline. Proper behavior in the sport and in
life itself will be the gauge of success. Personal discipline is important. The
kaleidoscopic invitations and temptations of life should never undermine man
in his obligation to his art, to himself and his fellowman. A student should learn
to control himself in the pursuance of his goal, not only to his art but also to
life in general.
d) Self-control- losing one's head means defeat. One should learn to control his
temper if he hopes to achieve success in every endeavor. In Arnis, self-control
is important for without it, life and the good health of another may be lost.
The possession of an ability to kill or main a person should be handled with
extreme caution and prudence. Man's clear perception of things is anchored on
his ability to control the outbursts of his inner self. Provocation is dishonorable
but hasty reaction to it is just as dishonorable if not despicable.
e) Etiquette- etiquette is allied to the main cardinal rules in Arnis. One's norm and
standard should never be imposed upon others. One should learn how to respect
others. Giving credence to the standard and ability of another person should or
will best prepare anybody in any endeavor. The pacific waters of human
understanding will stay unruffled if exercise of proper etiquette and respect
whether it be in sporty competition or in life itself is observed.
f) Student's loyalty- loyalty should be emphasized to the student, loyalty to the art, to
a fellow player, and to his teacher. Ingratitude to one is ingratitude to the other. A
student should be loyal to a fellow player because any disloyalty to him is disloyalty to
the art itself. More important, a student should be loyal to his teacher. Everything one
has learned is owned by him to his teacher. Personal whims should never cause one to
be ungrateful to where he owes everything he knows. Even if the ultimate aim of the
art is already achieved by a student that he can now manage on his own, he should
never forget the teacher who labored for him. In the skirmishes of things, the student
should be always loyal to him.
Kinds of Stances
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.
 Attention Stance
 Stand with your feet forming a 45 degrees angle.  
 
 Heels should be close to each other, knees should be straight, the
waist and body facing forward.
 
 Shoulders are dropped to the side and both hands are at waist
level. 

 The Attention Stance is commonly used in preparation for
courtesy or “bowing” at commencement of sparring.
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.
 Oblique Stance
• Starting with the ready stance, move one foot forward 45 degrees away
from the body until the knee and the toe are in line to each other. 
• Move on the same direction as the lead foot (e.g.  for right foot lead,
move 45 degrees forward to the right).
• 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. 
• Oblique stances can be right foot lead, which is the Right Foot Oblique
Stance or it can be left foot lead which is Left Foot Oblique Stance. 
• Oblique Stances are commonly used for forward blocking and evasion
techniques.
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.
 Side Stance
• Starting with the ready stance, move one foot about two feet (2’)
to the left or right direction. 
• Moving foot will be perpendicular to the ground while the other
leg is extended thereby creating a position like that of a side
kick. 
• 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 centre of gravity to both legs.  If the left
foot moves to the side it becomes Left Foot Side Stance, if the
right foot moves to the side it becomes Right Foot Side Stance. 
• Side Stances are commonly used for strike deflection and evasion
techniques.
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 centre 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.
Sinawali
Single Sinawali
• Swing the cane to strike
opponent’s temple

• Withdraw the cane

• Swing it down to strike

opponent’s knee

• Withdraw the cane and place it

above your shoulder
 Advance Single Sinawali
 Strike opponent’s right temple with right cane

 Withdraw right hand passing the left shoulder to strike

opponent’s knee

 Withdraw right hand and position it above the left shoulder

to strike opponent’s temple
Double Sinawali
• Begin with the right hand up and the left
hand tucked under the right shoulder
• Strike the opponent’s temple with the
right hand
• As you retract the right hand to the left
shoulder strike the opponent’s knee with
the left hand
• As you strike a backhand to the
opponent’s temple with the right hand,
retract the left hand to the left shoulder
X Sinawali
• Using the right cane, strike the opponent’s
temple
• Withdraw it and place it below the left armpit
then strike the opponent’s temple with the left
cane
• Withdraw it then place it above the right
shoulder then strike the opponent’s knee with th
right cane
• Place the right cane above your right shoulder
then hit the opponent’s knee with the left cane
then place it above the left shoulder
Advance Double sinawali
-position the left cane under the right armpit and the right cane above the
right shoulder
-strike the opponent's temple with the right cane and position it above the
left shoulder afterwards.
-strike the left cane downards then position it below the left armpit.
-swing the right cane forward. Withdraw it and place it above the left
shoulder then swing the left cane to strike knee
-withdraw the left cane and place it above the left shoulder then swing the
right cane to strike temple.
-this can also be done starting with the right cane under the left armpit and
using the left cane to strike.
 Reverse sinawali
 -start with both canes above the right shoulder
 -swing the right cane to strike the knee. Withdraw it and place it under the left
armpit.
 -swing the left cane to strike the knee. Withdraw the left hand and position it
above the left shoulder. At the same time, swing the right cane to strike the knee.
 -withdraw the right cane and position it above the left shoulder. At the same time,
swing the left cane to strike the knee.
 -withdraw the left cane and place it under the right armpit. At the same time, swing
the right cane to strike the knee
 -withdraw the right hand and position it above right shoulder. At the same time,
swing the left cane ti strike the knee.
 Advance Double sinawali
 -position the left cane under the right armpit and the right cane above the
right shoulder
 -strike the opponent's temple with the right cane and position it above the left
shoulder afterwards.
 -strike the left cane downwards then position it below the left armpit.
 -swing the right cane forward. Withdraw it and place it above the left shoulder
then swing the left cane to strike knee
 -withdraw the left cane and place it above the left shoulder then swing the
right cane to strike temple.
 -this can also be done starting with the right cane under the left armpit and
using the left cane to strike.
 Reverse sinawali
 -start with both canes above the right shoulder
 -swing the right cane to strike the knee. Withdraw it and place it under the left
armpit.
 -swing the left cane to strike the knee. Withdraw the left hand and position it
above the left shoulder. At the same time, swing the right cane to strike the knee.
 -withdraw the right cane and position it above the left shoulder. At the same time,
swing the left cane to strike the knee.
 -withdraw the left cane and place it under the right armpit. At the same time,
swing the right cane to strike the knee
 -withdraw the right hand and position it above right shoulder. At the same time,
swing the left cane ti strike the knee.
R
E
D
O
N
D
A
 Redonda
 -start with the right cane over the right shoulder and the other one
under the right armpit
 -swing the right cane diagonally forward and position it above the left
shoulder
 -swing the left cane diagonally forward then position it above the left
shoulder
 -swing the right cane downward then position it below the left armpit
 -swing the left cane diagonally forward and position it over the head
afterwards
 -swing the right cane diagonally forward then position it above the right
shoulder. Position the other hand under the right armpit.
 Solo Baston
Solo Baston is one of the three major fighting system s of arnis.
Under this system evolves various system of fighting using a long
stick weapon. Though the system is called solo baston it is not
limited to using only a stuck. History points out that bladed
weapon and other daily implements like umbrellas and walking
sticks are good weapons.
 Six Blockings
 *Outside blocking- performed by bringing the cane forward
support and by the left hand at the middle of the cane

 *Inside block- performed as an outside block, however, on the

right side of the body

 *Downward inside block- performed by positioning the hand

holding the cane above the right shoulder then swinging the cane
downward to block the opponents attack
 *Downward outside block- performed by positioning the cane
behind the left ear then swinging it downward to block the
opponent's blow

 *Rising block- performed by raising the cane over the head to

block the opponent's blow

 * Vertical block- performed by raising the elbow of the hand

hikding the cane to shoulder levek while the other habd is
supporting it at the middle.
Strikes
 Twelve Strikes
 *left temple attack- backhand strike to the left temple

 *right temple attack- forehand strikes to the right temple

  * left shoulder attack-backhand strike to the left shoulder

 *right shoulder attack- forehand strike to the right shoulder

 *thrust to the stomach- straight-on stab/thrust to the

stomach

 *left chest thrust-underhand stab/thrust to the left chest

 *right chest thrust- overhand stab/thrust to the right chest

 *right knee attack- forehand strike to the right knee

 *left knee attack- backhand strike to the left knee

 *left eye thrust- underhand stab/ thrust to the left eye

 *right eye thrust-overhand stab/thrust to the right eye

 *Crown attack- straight down strike to the top of the head

 End
Thank You!