BASIC SKILLS IN ARNIS

INTRODUCTION
In modern arnis, students work with rattan sticks as soon as they start their training, though they
also train in bare- hands defense. The style utilizes block, counter attack, locks and the throws to disarm
the adversary. Throughout training, students strike at their opponent’s rattan sticks. However, in genuine
fighting situations, the strikes need to be made on the hands that hold the weapon to successfully disarm
the enemy.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, the learners are expected to:
 Identify the different basic skills in arnis;
 Demonstrate the proper way of executing the different arnis skills; and
 Appreciate the benefits derived from using the appropriate skills in arnis.

Lesson 1
Stances

Stances in Arnis, as in other forms of martial arts are different body positions basic to the play of
the art.
These are a technique which teaches a player how to maintain body balance and the proper
manner of distributing his weight on his legs.
Mastery of these techniques is essential in the perfection of the art of Arnis. A player can never
hope to fight effectively without knowing these important rudiments.
Proper body positioning gives mobility and ability. Shift from one position to another with strong
foothold and with much agility. Moreover, this is (very essential in defensive and offensive fighting).

Types of Stances

1. Attention stance- stand with feet at 45 degrees angle, heels closed together, hands at the side and
relaxed.
2. Open leg Stance- stand with legs spread apart about shoulder width with toes pointing slightly
outward.
3. Straddle leg stance- spread legs about twice the width of shoulders and bend knees outwards,
heels firmly planted and toes pointing straight forward.
4. Forward Stance- move the leg forward at a distance about twice the width of the shoulder and
about 30 degrees to side and bend front leg at the knee with cane in the center and in fighting
form. Rear leg is extended fully with both feet flat on the ground.
5. Back Stance- stand with one foot backward with rear foot toes pointing outward and front foot toes
pointing forward, so that the two feet from an L shape. The rear foot should point either left or right
depending on what foot is in front.
6. Oblique Forward Stance- this is executed by stepping either foot obliquely to the left or to the right.
Week 12, Lesson 2
Posture
In Arnis, posture is important for the effective delivery of strikes. In executing all these postures, the
head should always face the opponent, observing all his body movements.

TYPES OF POSTURE

1. Front Facing- body facing directly toward opponent.

2. Half-front Facing- body facing 45 degrees to either left or right.
3. Side Facing- body entirely facing either left or right.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRADITIONAL STRIKING TECHNIQUES

1. Up and Down (Ekis) – with the arms pointing forward swing the stick upward and downward
continuously, with the movements emanating from the shoulder and not the elbow. This technique
is used to strike the head, R and L clavicle and the forearm; and is useful for countering the double
sinawali, redonda or “X” movement.
2. Figure 8 (Ocho)– Twist the trunk sideward right to bring the stick behind the swing downwards (as
if to strike the left knee of the opponent); continue to move the arms upward and twist the body
sideward left continuing the arm movement with the butt of the stick leading until the knuckles of
the hand are facing downward and crosses the face; twist the wrist and forearm counterclockwise
until the knuckles are facing upward and strike( as if to hit the right temple of the opponent), and
continue the movement of the arms to complete a figure of 8. This is an offensive tactic used for
striking the left knee, followed by hitting the right temple of the opponent; as well as, his forearm.
3. Rompida – with the arm raised upward, elbows bent in front of the face, and the stick pointing
downward; swing the stick around to the left and over the head, ( or in front of the face) and strikes
forcefully downward. Repeat several times. This is used strike the head, clavicle and the opponent
is close to you.
4. Banda y Banda – swing the stick horizontally sideward right and left with stick pointing forward,
alternately. This movement of the stick is useful as a defensive maneuver to prevent the opponent
or getting near you.
5. Abanico (Pilantik)
 Abanico Corto – with lowered stick so that the butt is at waist level and the point is above the
eye-level, in such a way that the upper part of the body is protected, start twisting the wrist to
move the stick sideward left and right alternately, simulating the movements of “fanning”
yourself. The word abanico means “fan” in Spanish. This technique is a defensive maneuver
aimed at protecting yourself from objects thrown towards you.
 Abanico Largo- Assume oblique forward right stance. Swing the stick in half-or-semi-circles in
front and across the body, twisting the trunk sideward left and right, alternately. A defensive
strategy against two or more opponents to prevent them from getting close to you.
 THE STRIKING TECHNIQUES

INTRODUCTION
The 6 angles of attack in Modern Arnis are both a way of memorizing the major, vital areas of the
body that can be attacked, and also a sequence of strikes practiced as a drill in a specific order to
familiarize the student with the 6 basic strikes.
The arnis student learns the strikes in a prescribed sequence and practices striking to these areas
over and over in order to understand the angles of attack in approaching these zones, and how an
opponent's approach often telegraphs his own intended target area. The numbered zones are referred to
throughout the book for reference; when showing a defense, the text may say, "The attacker attempts a
strike to #2 . . ." The technique will then illustrate how to counter such an attack.
Learn these 6 strikes, both as a point of reference for defending your own body and for striking the
target areas of your opponent. The following striking drill is practiced as one continuous sequence, though
the 6 strikes are also broken down here individually for easier instruction. Notice that your body will shift
almost automatically into the proper stances as you execute each strike. Though the instructions are shown
for the right hand only, you should practice the left hand equally, mirroring the movements of the right hand.

1. Striking technique No. 1- Left Temple

With elbow bent, swing right hand backward accompanied by a twist of the body. Then
execute right forward stance simultaneously swinging.
Right hand forward, closed palm up, to strike directly at the opponent’s left temple.

2. Striking technique No. 2- Right Temple

From the final position in No. 1 withdraw right foot slightly backward, at the same time
bring right Handholding cane at shoulder level and slightly twist body backward to the left. Side
right foot forward to assume the right forward stance position simultaneously swinging the right
hand forward, closed palm facing downward, to strike at the right temple.

3. Striking technique No. 3- Right Knee

Slide right foot slightly backward, at the same time, swing cane to the left, outward, hand at
shoulder level and closed palm downward.
Slide right foot forward simultaneously swinging cane forward and downward to strike the
right knee.

4. Striking technique No. 4- Left Knee

Slide right foot slightly backward, at same time, withdraw right hand to the right at shoulder
level, swinging backward, and body facing 45 degrees to the right. Slide right foot forward
simultaneously swinging cane forward and downward to strike the left knee.

5. Striking technique No. 7- Crown

Slide right foot slightly backward, simultaneously withdrawing right hand over the head and
swing cane backward.
The lunge forward with right foot and strike from top downward to hit the crown of the
head.
 6. Striking technique No. 6- Thrust to the stomach
Slide right foot slightly backward and withdraw right hand backward to the right at hip level
(elbow at right angle)
Slide right foot forward to assume right forward stance, at the same time, thrust cane
forward aimed at the stomach.

BLOCKING TECHNIQUES

INTRODUCTION
The following are some of the basic defenses used against the 12 major strikes. Though they are
broken down carefully in these photographs, they are meant to be executed in one smooth and swift
motion, with no distinct pauses between the block, check and counterstrike motions.
Keep in mind that when blocking one stick with your own, your free hand should always be poised
to guard, ready to brace a stick block or grab an opponent's stick. You must stay loose and move quickly,
always pivoting to face the strike and keep your balance.
There are many variations in arnis on the defenses shown here— these are only the most basic. A
stick-versus-stick situation is illustrated, followed each time with the same identical motions of defense
performed empty-handed against the same stick attack. The beauty of arnis is in the translation from stick
defense to empty hand defense with no major modifications in reaction. This helps accelerate a student's
training in arnis, since he or she can learn both forms in practice at the same time, and see the correlation
between the two.
Although in most of the following illustrations the stick strikes (and blocks) the opponent's stick, in
actual combat you would strike the opponent's wrist, forearm or elbow. In practice, you always block the
opponent's stick, never his arm.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, the learners are expected to:
 Identify the different blocking techniques in arnis;
 Demonstrate the proper way of executing the blocking techniques in arnis; and
 Appreciate the benefits derived from using the appropriate blocking techniques in arnis.

Lesson 1
Six Basic Blocks

1. INWARD BLOCK
Initial Position: open- leg stance, knees bent in fighting posture, left hand with open palm held up in
front of the body.

With right elbow at right angle and cane pointing upward, lunge with right forward stance, twisting,
body to the right and at the same time, bringing the cane forward, braced by the left hand is a way
to block attacker’s blow.

2. OUTWARD Block
Initial Position: Open- leg stance, knees bent in fighting posture, left hand with open palm held up
in front of the body.
 With elbow at right angle and cane pointing upward, lunge with right (or left)
simultaneously twisting body to the left and at the same time, bringing cane forward, braced by the
left hand to block attacker’s blow.

3. DOWNWARD- INWARD BLOCK

Initial Position: Open- leg stance, knees bent in fighting posture, left hand in open palm held up in
front of the body.
In a right (or left) forward stance bring cane from downward to the right to block attacker’s
blow.

4. DOWNWARD- OUTWARD BLOCK

Initial Position: Open- leg stance, knees bent in fighting posture, left hand in open palm held up in
front of the body.
In a right (or left) forward stance bring cane from downward to the right to block attacker’s
blow.

5. VERTICAL BLOCK
Initial Position: knees bent in fighting posture, left hand in open palm held up in front of body.
In right (or left) forward stance, raise right elbow to shoulder level and twist outward to the
left so that cane is vertical with tip pointing downward. Always brace the cane with open palm of left
hand at the middle section.

6. RISING BLOCK
Initial Position: Open leg stance, knees bent fighting posture, left hand with open palm held up in
front of the body.
In right ( or left) forward stance with cane in front at hip level, raise cane horizontally
forward and over the head supported by open palm of the left hand to block attacker’s blow.