12 BASIC STRIKE AND

BLOCKS
1. LEFT SIDE OF THE HEAD ATTACK.

•Assume fighting stance. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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
shoulders and hips. The stick will be draw in a
diagonal forehand slashing swing making it easier
to deliver a damage.
4. 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
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.
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 ankel which throws off
the opponents 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.
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.
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.
1. 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.
12. 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 opponents mobility
and balance.
 #1 - BLOCKING AN ATTACK TO THE
LEFT SIDE
Practitioners use this block to stop strikes number 1 (Strike to left temple), 3
(Strike to the left arm or elbow), and 6 (Thrust/Stab to the left chest).

Blocking Techniques In Arnis - Left Block

Remember: While keeping the left hand behind the
stick, you should turn your body inward while
holding it vertically.

The right foot should be kept forward while

maintaining the position of the right elbow close to
the body.

•Inside/Inward block- performed as an outside

block, however, on the right side of the body
#2 - BLOCKING AN ATTACK TO THE RIGHT
SIDE
In this block, the body is turned outward while the right foot is pulled back to protect against strikes
number 2(right temple), 4 (right arm or elbow), and 7 (thrust/stub right chest).

•Outward blocking- performed by bringing the

cane forward supported by the left hand at the
middle of the cane.
• Again, it is very important to keep the elbow close to the body
while keeping your left hand behind the cane.

• Although, there are very low chances that anybody could

develop fatal injury during modern Arnis, there would still be
some pain

• Also, it makes sense that you will not just stand there waiting
for your opponent to shower you with strikes.
3 - BLOCKING AN ATTACK TO THE SOLAR PLEXUS OR
CHEST
Strike number 5 is a serious one that can cause serious damage to the fatal organs.
Historically speaking, fighters used strike 5 to kill their opponents in a glimpse of an eye.
By powerfully thrusting the weapon hand towards the chest, the sword would puncture the
abdomen and any vital organs located in the area.

• In best case scenario, using the stick to practice strike number

5, can use to internal damage.
•
• So the practitioner should use his stick to stop the motion of
the other weapon to stop it before it hits where it hurts.
•
• The stick is held vertically to stop the upward motion of the
weapon
•
• Vertical block- performed by raising the elbow of the hand
holding the cane to shoulder level while the other hand is
supporting it at the middle
#4 - BLOCKING AN ATTACK TO THE STOMACH
• This block is mainly used to protect the body against a lower hit or strike
directed towards the stomach.

• Even using the practicing baton, a very strong strike can lead to
internal bleeding.

• Since you are mainly practicing modern Arnis to stay in shape or

simple for the love of the ancient Filipino arts, protecting your body
becomes a necessity.

• By blocking your opponent’s movement, you are simply stopping

the stick from hitting the lower part of your abdomen, saving you a
lot of pain and time spent thinking about quitting Arnis altogether.
 #5 - BLOCKING AN ATTACK TO THE LOWER BODY
• A strong strike to your legs or knees can throw you off balance.

• Strikes number 8 and 9 are seriously annoying,

simply because you will immediately fall under
your opponent’s mercy.

• In this block, you should use your stick to stop

the opponent’s weapon from reaching your leg or
knee.

Downward inward block- performed by positioning the hand holding the cane
above the right shoulder then swinging the cane downward to block the
opponents attack.

Downward outward block- performed by positioning the cane behind the left
ear then swinging it downward to block the opponent's blow
#6 - BLOCKING TO THE ATTACK AT THE CENTER OF THE HEAD
• In the good old days, the overhead shield block would protect your skull from
being shattered into a thousand pieces.

• A strong strike from your opponent’s

sword can set the line between life and
death.

• Strike number 12 is a serious one. Your

opponent would do it to throw you off
balance and turn the fight to their favor.
Using your stick and the right technique
you can stop this from happening.