2. DESCRIPTION OF ARNIS
• Arnis, also known as Kali or Eskrima/Escrima, is the
national self defense martial art of the Philippines that
emphasizes weapon-based fighting. Arnis also includes
hand-to-hand combat, joint locks, and weapon disarming
techniques.
• The style is great for increased capability in close combat,
hand-eye coordination, reaction times, dexterity, brain
function, depth perception, agility & stability, and
practicality for defending yourself from weapon attacks.
3. • At True Martial Arts, students practice Arnis with
one or two 26 inch sticks, open hand, short sword
and dagger, long bo, and long sword.
4. HISTORY OF ARNIS
• As Arnis was an art usually practised by the poor or
commoner class (as opposed
to nobility or warrior classes), most practitioners
lacked the scholarly education to create any kind of
written record. While the same can be said of many
martial arts, this is especially true for Arnis because
almost all of its history is anecdotal, oral or
promotional.
5. • 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.
• It has other influences as well, as settlers and traders travelling
through the Malay Archipelago brought the influence of silat as well
as Chinese and Indian martial arts. Some of the population still
practise localized Chinese fighting methods known as kuntaw.
6. • It has also been theorized that the Filipino art of Arnis may have roots
in India and came to the Philippines via people who traveled through
Indonesia and Malaysia to the Philippine islands. Silambam, a
stick/staff-based ancient martial art of India influenced many martial
arts in Asia like Silat. As such, Arnis may share ancestry with these
systems – some Arnis moves are similar to the short stick (kali or kaji)
and other weapon based fighting styles of Silambam.
• When the Spaniards first arrived in the Philippines, they already
observed weapons-based martial arts practised by the natives, which
may or may not be related to present-day Arnis. The earliest written
records of Filipino culture and life, including martial arts, come from
the first Spanish explorers. Some early expeditions fought native
tribesmen armed with sticks and knives.
7. • In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan was killed in Cebu at the
Battle of Mactan by the forces of Datu Lapulapu, the chief of
Mactan. Some Arnisadors hold that Lapulapu's men killed
Magellan in a sword-fight, though historical evidence proves
otherwise. The only eyewitness account of the battle by
chronicler, Antonio Pigafetta, tells that Magellan was
stabbed in the face and the arm with spears and
overwhelmed by multiple warriors who hacked and stabbed
at him.
8. RULES OF ARNIS
• No Punching
• Kicking
• Takedowns Permitted
• No Contact to the back
9. BASIC SKILLS OF ARNIS
• Left side of the head attack.
A diagonal downward forehand swing to the left temple. From
the position, the warrior will hold the stick with one hand at 1
o’clock moving his stick in slashing motion while his free hand
on his chest.
• Right side of the head attack.
A diagonal downward backhand swing striking to the right
temple. Assuming a fighting stance like the left temple strike,
the warrior this time held his stick at 11o'clock with his free
hand kept on his chest.
10. • Left side of the body or torso, to the left arm or elbow.
• The 3rd striking technique allows the practitioner to extend his
weapon hand making it easier for him to strike any part of the
opponent between its shoulder and hips. The stick will be draw in a
diagonal forehand slashing swing making it easier to deliver a
damage.
• Right side of the body or torso, to the left arm or elbow.
Same as the 3rd strike but this time the practitioner will extend the
weapon hand to strike any part of the body between the shoulder and
the hips in a backhand slashing swing located on the right side.
11. • Thrust to the stomach.
In this strike, the practitioner will thrust the weapon hand to the
stomach and is
followed by an upward motion that will cut through his opponent's body.
• Left chest stab.
In this strike, the weapon hand is then extended to the front with the
palm facing outward and the elbow kept up where this strike can
cause damage to the rib cage.
12. • Right chest stab.
In this stance, the practitioner will practice the scooping action. The
weapon hand is then extended forward with the palm facing outward.
To deliver the strike properly, the elbow should be kept up puncturing
the opponent’s right lung.
• Left lower leg
In this technique, the practitioner will deliver a powerful strike to the
opponent’s lower leg, mainly the knee, the angle or the ankle which
throws off the opponent’s balance and immobilize him. By doing this,
the warrior is supposed to lower his body (extending the weapon
arm). Holding his palm upward and hit any part of the opponent’s
lower leg.
13. • Left eye poke.
The target here is the left eye socket. In order to execute it properly,
the practitioner should assume fighting stance then extend the
weapon hand forward with the palm facing outward with its elbow
kept down.
• 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.
14. • Right eye poke.
Same as the 10th strike technique. To execute it properly the
practitioner will have to hold his elbow down poking the right eye of
the opponent.
• Strike to the crown/top of head.
The last strike will be a straight downward overhead swing
directed towards the crown of the head which could throw off the
opponent’s mobility and balance.
