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 weaponbased 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 MacapagalArroyo 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 ofFilipino 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 orbaston(baton), which varies in size, but
is usually about 28inches (71cm) 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

Lakan Antas
Black with gold stripes
10
Lakan Antas
Black with gold stripes
9
Lakan Antas
Black with silver stripes
8
Lakan Antas
Black with silver stripes
7
Lakan Antas
Black with orange stripes
6
Lakan Antas Black with white stripes
5
two bar
Lakan Antas Black with white stripes
4
one bar
Lakan Antas
Black with white stripes
3
Lakan Antas Black with red stripes
2
one bar
Lakan Antas
Black with red stripes
1
Lakan

Black with blue stripes

Active Practice
Requirements
Lifetime Practice
Lifetime Practice

Title
Grandmaster Remy A.
Presas
Grandmaster Remy A.
Presas

20 years to 30 years

Senior Master

15 years to 20 years

Senior Master

10 years to 15 years

Master Instructor

8 years to 10 years

Master in Modern
Arnis

5 years to 8 years

Associate Master

3 years to 5 years

Senior Instructor

2 years and 5 months

Instructor

2 years

Associate Instructor

1 year and 5 months

Apprentice / Instructor

Many groups use a "zero-degree" black belt rank as a

probationary stage that comes beforeIsa. The actual
name of the ranks is gender-specific. For men the
rank is referred to as Lakan(Tagalogfor male) while
for women it is referred to asDayang(Tagalog for
"female").Thus, a first degree black belt in Modern
Arnis would be referred to as either Lakan Isaor
aDayang Isa, depending on his or her gender. The
"zero-degree" rank, if used, is referred to as
simplyLakanorDayang. 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
1.4 Match Lines
1.5 Referee Line
1.6 Warning Lines
1.7 Playing Surface
1.8 Neutral Surface

1.9 Position of Players

Before the game starts,
players must be positioned
in the playing area so that
bthe red-coded player is at
the right side of the referee
and the blue-coded player is
on his left side.

RECORDER

TIMER

one meter free zone

JUDG

one meter warning area

B
L
U
E

2 m eters ap art

R
E
D

REFFEREE

JUDGE

SCORE
BOARD

SCOR
BOAR

8 by 8 meters Playing Area

10 by 10 meters Competition Area

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 timers 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

only.

waist

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, selfcontrol 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 opponents
temple

Withdraw the cane

Swing it down to
strike opponents
knee

Withdraw the cane

and place it above
your shoulder

Advance Single Sinawali

Strike opponents right temple with right
cane
Withdraw right hand passing the left
shoulder to strike opponents knee
Withdraw right hand and position it
above the left shoulder to strike
opponents temple

Double Sinawali
Begin with the right hand
up and the left hand tucked
under the right shoulder
Strike the opponents
temple with the right hand
As you retract the right
hand to the left shoulder
strike the opponents knee
with the left hand
As you strike a backhand to
the opponents temple with
the right hand, retract the
left hand to the left
shoulder

X Sinawali

Using the right cane, strike the

opponents temple
Withdraw it and place it below
the left armpit then strike the
opponents temple with the left
cane
Withdraw it then place it above
the right shoulder then strike the
opponents knee with the right
cane
Place the right cane above your
right shoulder then hit the
opponents 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
right shoulder

attack-

forehand strike to the

*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
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