Lesson 3: Ethics and Etiquette, Essential Principle, and Safety in Arnis
Objectives: At the end of the lesson, students are expected to be able to:
1. Explain the basic rules and principle of Arnis.
2. Appreciate the importance of code of ethics in Arnis.
3. Recognize the importance of safety practices of active participation of Arnis.
1. Creed in Arnis
Arnis is a tie that binds us
Respect for Masters is our first discipline
Never criticize the style, master or art of another
Integrity is the basis of our character
Show humility in victory and grace in defeat
Anger is a weakness to be mastered
Develop your inner self as well as your outward skills
Open your mind to learn from anyone at anytime
Remember – Arnis has its origin as a fighting art
-Radcliff (2011)
2. Cardinal Rules and Principles
Arnis as an art has cardinal rules to be observed and followed and has its own
principles to be inculcated in the students. The cardinal principle in Arnis is respect for
one’s opponent as a person, as a fighter, and as sportsman. It should always be
remembered that an opponent is a human being with dignity as you have and worthy of
respect. Sportsmanship on the other hand is the measure of a fighter or player, the laurels
of victory should never be worn with superiority but with humility.
Besides these cardinal principles, there are other principles in Arnis that the
students must remember, these are:
Character – 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 behavior would be motivated by righteous
desire.
Sincerity – sincerity for victory’s sake is not an all-consuming end of an
Arnis player. The martial art of Arnis, as should be remembered, is a good
medium of developing 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.
Discipline –Arnis is a molder of discipline. It is the responsibility of the
teachers of the art to guide the students to this end. Strict compliance to rules
and conduct is an athlete’s obligation. Proper behavior in the sport and in life
itself will be gauge of success. Personal discipline is important, and a student
should learn to control himself in the pursuance of his goal, not only to his art
but also to life in general.
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 good health of another may be lost.
The possession of an ability to kill or injure a person should be handled with
extreme caution and prudence.
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.
Student’s Loyalty – loyalty should be emphasized to the students: 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 owed by him to
his teacher. Personal whims should never one to be ungrateful to where he
owes everything he knows. In the skirmishes of things, the student should be
always loyal to him.
3. Code of Ethics
Arnis is an event that aims to bond and develop friendship and brotherhood.
It is never a sport to hurt and defeat the opponent but to improve the skills of
the players
It aims to develop the mind, the physique and the character of the player.
Arnis is played to develop the social aspect that will lead to close bonding of
all practitioners.
All the practitioners respect each other. They salute (“pugay” or “courtesy
bow”) each other when they meet and from a meeting before they depart. The
juniors must salute first and maintain the position until the seniors answer
their salute.
The juniors do not have the right to challenge to fight the seniors unless in the
program set by their association to fulfill an objective.
All the practitioners continue to move on as there is room for improvement or
advancement.
Each practitioner must share with other beginners or practitioners the
advancement attained.
Practitioners must desire to strengthen the Arnis family they belong to by
sharing love, knowledge and understanding.
Practitioners must remember that Arnis is not a means to fight people but to
bond with them for life improvement.
-i-ARNIS (2011)
Essential Principles in Arnis
The true power of Arnis does not end with the techniques that are powerful enough, and
there is still much power left untapped if these techniques are not executed along the essential
principles underlying its execution. Thus, it is essential that the learner should know these
principles by heart and commit the techniques to memory.
1. Physical Principles
The learner must always bear speed in mind - speed in delivering the strokes, speed with
the hand, speed with the feet, and even with eyes in spotting the weak points of the opponent.
The learner must train himself to stare for long periods without winking- a wink in actual combat
might prove fatal. The learner should also learn how to swing the club. In swinging, the grip
must be firm, and the stroke must be delivered with a jerk. He must also relax his wrist after each
stroke. A player should not allow distance to separate him from his opponent as distance makes
him vulnerable.
2. Psychological Principles
The learner must not be unruffled but composed and calm to be able to concentrate on his
opponent and have a full command of the situation. The learner must also constantly be aware of
the ability of his opponent, knowing that his inability to assess every movement will be fatal to
himself. But above all, the learner must have the will to fight and win. Without this attitude, a
player's effort would be inefficacious.
Safety
Some common procedures in training must be done for the safety practice of Arnis in classroom
or even in club settings.
1. Wear proper attire or loose-fitting clothing for comfort and mobility.
2. Remove all jewelry before the start of the activity.
3. Proper warm-up and conditioning exercise should be observed specially during strenuous
activities to avoid muscle fatigue and further injuries.
4. Strike with accuracy and control especially during basic sparring, Sinawali, blockings
and counter attacks to elude unforeseen injuries.
5. Delivery of the strikes, thrusts, and counter attacks should never be aimed directly on the
vital striking areas of the body to avoid further accident.
6. Proper gripping of the cane or Arnis stick should always be observed specially during
activity manipulation, whirling, and twisting to avoid mishap.
7. It is suggested to execute the basic skills in slow motion especially to the novices to
lessen unfortunate accident during practice.
Activity: BULAGTASAN!
This activity intends to test the memory of the learners. Wear a black blind fold and recite the
Arnisador creed aloud.
