HISTORY

The History of Arnis

Arnis was developed by the indigenous populations of the Philippines, who used an assorted range of
weaponry for combat and self-defense. Encompassing both simple impact and edged weapons, arnis
traditionally involved rattan, swords, daggers and spears.
When the Spanish eventually returned and successfully conquered parts of the Philippines, the
traditions of arnis were preserved, despite its prohibition, in the forms of ritual dance, performance and
mock battles.
In 2009, the government of the Philippines declared arnis to be the martial art and national sport of the
Philippines.

Culture and traditions

Arnis is otherwise known as eskrima, kali and garrote, and by even more names in different Filipino
regional languages. Although Spanish influence had a pacifying effect on Filipino martial culture, the
original warrior ethos has persisted and remains on the fringes of the art. Arnis “death-matches” were
outlawed as late as 1945 yet, as Mark V. Wiley explains in Filipino Martial Culture, they still take place
in private today.
EQUIPMENTS
PLAYER EQUIPMENT OF ARNIS

 WEAPON
- The padded stick shall be the official weapon of the player.
- The specification 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
competition.
- Each padded stick shall be properly foam-cushioned and shall have a maximum grip
diameter of not more than 3.81cm. (1 ½ inch) and length of 76.20cm (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.
- Both headgears must be color-coded, one red 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 protector 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-ANIS standard. Both shin & forearm
guards must be color of the player.

OFFICIAL EQUIPMENT OF ARNIS

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BASIC FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS

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RULES RAND REGULATIONS

General Rules
1. Competitors are required to bring their own stick.
2. There Is No Age Limit for Arnis Stick Fighting Competitors.
3. If there are less than 2 competitors in an age group, the judges reserve the right to combine
age groups.
4. Mandatory Safety Equipments: helmet with face protector, gloves, chest padding, and groin
protector for men.
5. Divisions: Male division and Female division; not categorized by weight.
6. If there are less than 2 competitors in an age group, the judges reserve the right to combine
age groups.
7. Competitor who is disarmed or drops his/her stick 3 times in one round automatically loses.
8. Competitors have 5 seconds to execute a disarm. A competitor who is disarmed loses one
point automatically.
9. No punching, kicking, or takedowns permitted. No contact to the back.
10. The format of arnis stick fighting is continuous. Referee stops and restarts the fight if one or
both competitors fall on the ground, one or both weapons fall on the ground, or one competitor
grabs the handle and takes away the opponent’s weapon.

11. Duration of Bout

Each bout is 3 rounds; each round is 1 minute with 30 seconds rest in between each round. A
competitor winning the first 2 rounds wins the bout, without going into the third round.

The Winner of the Bout is Determined By:

 Both competitors’ effectiveness in executing their techniques during attacks and defenses.
 Warning
 If the competitor disregards the orders and instructions of the referee and the judges.
 Disrespecting the referee, judges, or the opponent.
 Attacking with excessive force.
 Using violent actions.
 Using the techniques of kicking, punching, and takedowns.
 If the competitor continues to attack his/her opponent after the opponent’s weapon falls down
on the ground.
 Using performance-enhancing drugs prior or during the bout.
 The referee has the right to disqualify a competitor from the bout or competition if:
 The competitor receives 3 or more warnings from the referee.
 The competitor engages in unsportsmanlike conducts.
 The competitor injures his/her opponent using prohibited techniques or attacks to the no
contact area, depending on the seriousness of the injury.
 The referee has the right to stop the contest if:
 There is a big gap in the skill level between the 2 competitors. The competitor with the skill
advantage wins the bout.
 A competitor is injured as a result of a legal maneuver, depending on the seriousness of the
injury. The opponent wins the bout.

12. Courtesy Rule: Salute to the judges first and then competitors salute to each other before the
bout begins. After the bout finishes, salute to the judges again and then competitors salute to
each other.

QUIZ
Test 1 (Identification)
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Test 2 (Multiple Choice)

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Test 3 (Modified True or False)

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