Khena B.

Aguirre

BSA-2B

History and Background of Arnis

The Philippines is an island nation rich in both culture and history. The Filipino martial art of
Arnis/Kali/Escrima has contributed to both the history and diversity of the Philippines. There are an
abundance of styles and systems of Arnis/Kali/Escrima that are taught throughout the world to this day,
that have survived and developed throughout the different regions, families and teachers who have
preserved what is sometimes called a “complete” martial art.

Arnis/Kali/Escrima was originally developed by the people native to the islands using simple
impact and edged weapons such as kampilans, rattan, swords, daggers, spears and other assorted
weaponry for combat and self defense. These weapons were also sometimes used as farm implements.

The arrival of Ferdinand Magellan’s force in 1521 was met in battle with a group of islanders,
led by Raja Lapu Lapu, who defeated Magellan using only a bladed weapon. Magellan’s armored and
musket bearing conquistadors were overpowered by the fierce fighters and retreated. The Spanish
returned in the 1570’s and this time the Philippines came under Spanish rule unable to contend with the
modern weaponry the Spanish used. The practice of Arnis/Kali/Escrima was prohibited, but continued
and was preserved through native ritual dance, performance, and mock battles. Thus the arts were
passed down in families from generation to generation, honing their skill, speed, accuracy and agility.

The terms Arnis, Kali and Escrima are all used to refer to the Filipino martial arts. There has
been some confusion as to what word refers to which part of the martial art. It is believed that Arnis,
Kali, and Escrima are all a part of the same art and depending on the location, dialect and type of
training taught. Also, any of the three names may apply to a certain part of training. One interpretation is
that Kali is the mother art of Arnis and Escrima. Arnis focuses on the knife, including dagger, sword, and
any other form of bladed weapon. Escrima is based on the baston or stick. It has also become very
popular in the sport aspect of full contact stick fighting.

To this day Arnis/Kali/Escrima has retained a strong Spanish influence not only in the names
and titles used in training, but in the impact it has had on Filipino culture. Filipino martial arts continue
to encompass a large range of weapons training and hand-to-hand combat, enriching the culture of
Filipino society. Thus the reference to it being a “complete” martial art.
 Facilities and Equipment
The game is played by using prescribed padded stick in delivering artistic and legal blows,
strikes, thrusts, and disarming the opponent to gain scores.

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.

Dimensions

 The playing area is a square measuring 8.0 meters by 8.0 meters with a two (2) meters minimum
free zone around it, and a clear space without any obstruction up to a height of not less than 5
meters from the playing surface.

Lines of the Playing Area

 All lines of the playing surface are 5.08 cm. (2 inches) and must be of different color from that of
the floor and other lines previously drawn for other purposes.

Boundary Lines

 Four lines mark the boundary of the playing area. The free zone distance measuring 2.0 meters
are drawn outside of the playing area.

Match Lines

 Two lines of 1.0 meter long and 2.0 meters apart mark the horizontal match line. The horizontal
match lines are drawn 3 meters from the boundary lines that run perpendicularly to the official's
table, and 3.5 meters from the boundary line that run parallel to the official's table.

Weapon

 The padded stick shall be the official weapon of the player. The specifications of which shall be in
accordance with the i-ARNIS standard. No other similar material will be allowed to be used in
any local, national or international competitions.
 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 length of 76.20 cm (30 inches for men and women). The
length of padded stick shall be 27 inches for boys and girls. Both padded stick shall be color-
coded, one red and the other blue.

Head Protector
  Refers to a pair of protective head gear to include an impact-worthy face mask, the specifications
of which shall be in accordance with the i-ARNIS standard.
 headgears must be color-coded, one red and the other blue, to match the padded stick of the
player.

Body Protector

 Refers to a pair of protective body protector, properly cushioned, the specifications of which
shall be in accordance with the i-ARNIS standard.
 Male and female player must both wear body protector and groin protector. Body protectors and
groin protectors specifications shall be in accordance with the i-ARNIS standard. Both body
protectors and groin protectors shall be color coded to match the color of the player..
 Forearm and shin guards are compulsory. The specifications shall be in accordance with i-ARNIS
standard. Both shin & forearms guards must be color coded to match the color of the player.

Scoreboards

 A pair of scoreboards, either manually or electronically operated, the specifications of which

shall be in accordance with the i-ARNIS standards
 .Two score boards per contest area shall be placed at diagonally opposite corners outside the
playing area, inside the competition area within the free zone, right where the judges are
positioned.

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 timer's use to signal the start and the end of each
round and to declare a time-out and resumption of the game.

Other Equipment

 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.
 A table shall be provided for the Timer and Recorder which shall be situated one (1) meter in
front of the playing area so that time signals are audible enough to both players and referee.
 Arnis Rules and Regulation

The Arnis Martial Arts Competition is a continuous, full contact, live weapon, stick fighting
venue. Competitors will fight each other with sticks – slender, cylindrically-shaped rattan weapons in 2
round matches at 1 minute per round with 30 seconds of rest between rounds. This is an open-style
competition. Competitors will compete in an open matted surface whose inbound space ranges from
15’x15’ to 20’x20’. Single stick fighting and double stick fighting contests will be conducted in a round
robin tournament format. All matches will be scored by judges using a 10-point must system. Divisions of
these contests will be based on weight, age, gender, rank and martial arts experience level.

PAIRINGS AND FORMAT

The tournament format will at the discretion of tournament officials. In adult divisions, we will try as
much as possible to form pairs that are within 8% of each other by weight. Directors will combine
divisions where competitors are scarce. In those cases, the directors are authorized to adjust rules for
fairness without compromising the primary objective – to showcase martial skill and reward those that
are better able to use their weapon. Fighters will be evaluated based on accumulation of points on all
matches combined. Gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded in each division to fighters
accumulating the highest scores. If two fighters accumulate equal scores, the following will apply:

• If the pair previously fought, precedence will be given to the fighter who achieved the higher point
total during their match.

• If the pair previously fought to a tie or never fought, then tie-breaker will be decided by best of three,
weapon only point fight. Judges will only count head shots.

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, slashes, and witticks are all legal. Punots, pokes and stabs are all illegal.

• Target areas are: 1) front and sides of the body, 2) arms and hands, 3) top, front and sides of the
helmet.

• Kicks are allowed below the neck and above the waist only.
• 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. Referee will ID rule
infractions, issue warnings and mandatory point deductions. 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 TKO. The 3 disarm rule may be waived at the tournament directors discretion.

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.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ETIQUETTE OF ATHLETES, COACHES AND SPECTATORS

All participants are expected to exhibit professional behavior. Excessive foul language and un-
sportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated by any fighters, coaches, or spectators. Fighters and coaches
will not discuss fights with the judges or referees while tournament is in progress.

EQUIPMENT

All participants must make provisions for the required weapons and equipment. Prior to the start of all
matches, fighters will submit to weapon and equipment will be inspection by referee and judges. The
required equipment is as follows:

• WEKAF armor (Headgear, armored gown)

• Protective full fingered gloves or WEKAF stick fighting gloves.

• Elbow pads, forearm pads, knee pads, protective cup and shoes are mandatory.

• T-shirts, pants (or shorts)

• Rattan sticks.

Basic Skills in Arnis

Arnisador must come to learn and execute these different basic skills:

1. Doce Tero or twelve striking techniques

2. Single Sinawali

3. Doble Sinawali

4. Reverse Sinawali
5. Redonda

6. Rompida

7. Ocho or figure of eight

8. Reverse figure of eight

9. up and down

10. banda y banda or the slash

There are also six basic blocking and disarming techniques and Anyo isa
hanggang Apat that must be mastered in order for an arnisador to advance in a
higher level.

The six cardinal rules in arnis must be part of an arnisador's principle once he/she
deals with arnis execution..

Generally, the basic skills in arnis are the stepping stones for an arnisador to
perform/execute Higher level of stick fighting (arnis).

Self-defense, self-discipline, balance, stamina, speed, power, flexibility

 Right strike to the head

 Left strike to the head
 Right strike to the shoulder
 Left strike to the shoulder
 Spear or jab to the stomach
 Right jab to chest/pectoral
 Left jab to chest/pectoral
 Left strike to knee (backend)
 Right strike to knee
 Right Jab to the eye
 Left Jab to the eye
 Overhead strike downwards