ARNIS NOTES By: Vincent Capulong

Modern Arnis is the system of Filipino martial arts founded by the late
Remy Presas as a self-defence system. His goal was to create an injury-
free training method as well as an effective self-defence system in
order to preserve the older Arnis system .

The main purpose of this guide is for beginners to actually study and
learn for themselves the basic techniques of the Filipino modern art of
stick fighting self-defence system. This guide can actually help them
develop their own skill and flexibility by practicing the simple
exercise and drills either with partner or alone.

It is essential that the Arnis (Stick) is held correctly. So to grasp the

Arnis stick properly, hold it firmly as if shaking hands and fold your
thumb on top of your first finger. Do not leave your thumb exposed
the top of the stick, as it may cause injury. Keep the wrist relaxed.
As with any form of exercise be sure to do some stretching exercises /
warm up first before doing any other stick exercises to avoid future
injuries.

Warm-up
Starting Position - hand on hips

Ankle Twisting - turn ankle in a circular motion. Repeat with the other foot.

Knee Twisting - move knees in a circular. Repeat in the reverse direction.

Hip Twisting - move hips in a circular motion. Repeat in the reverse

direction.

Back stretching - bend for backward keeping leg straight

Pelvis Twisting - twist hips in a circular motion, then repeat in the opposite
direction.

Trunk Stretching - move body in a large circular motion without bending

knees.

Trunk Twisting - Twist body to the side as far as possible. Repeat. In the
other direction.

Neck Twisting - slowly twist head from left to right.

Then, move head upwards and downward. Finally swing head in a circular
motion, then in reverse direction.

Arm stretching - rotate arms forward, and then reverse. Rotate arms
sideward then reverse.
The 12 Striking Point

1. Left Temple
2. Right Temple
3. Left Arm
4. Right Arm
5. Thrust to the stomach
6. Left chest
7. Right Chest
8. Right Foot
9. Left Foot
10. Left Eye
11. Right Eye
12. CrownƒTop of head

The first set of Ar is exercises here are to strengthen your wrists and
make them more flexible.

E X E R C I S E S:

Arm Twisting (Two Cane)

Note: Hold the cane vertically in the middle and twist:

1. Hold arm upward

2. To the Side
3. To the back
4. Left over right
5. Right over left
6. Squat and jump while twisting cane

Double Cane ( ariation #1)

1. Alternate one stick up, and one down
2. One cane on shoulder and the other in arm pit
Double cane (variation #2)
1 Up d down − both c nes
2 Both c nes going down in cross (sIashing) position
3 Both canes up and to ar pit

Single cane (variation #1) Stepping

1 Execute 12 vitaI stri ing points of the body
a Standing fir and stiII
b. Attac and retreat
c. 6 forward and 6 bac ward
d. “V” for
2. Execute 6 bIoc ing
a. Standing fir and stiII
b. Attac and retreat
c. 6 forward and 6 bac
d. “V” for

3 .Ar circIe

a. Inside the body

b. Outside the body

4. CircuIar stri e
5. X stri e (reverse figure 8)
6. PiIanti (Snap) Rapid Ieft and right te pIe stri e
7. DoubIe one circIe outside and 2 big circIe outside
8. Banda y banda (Side Stri e)
9. Focusing − six bIoc ing with counter. No retraction of cane
10. Figure 8
11. Rompida (Side Figure 8 Stri e)
12. Abani o (Fan)
13. Up and down
14. Sung iti (Thrust)

Single stick

1. Side position 1.middIe stri e(Ieftƒright ) 2.Iower stri e(Ieftƒright)

2. PiIanti (Snap)
 3. Abani o (going outside)
4. Abani o (going inside)
5. Side position(Figure 8 stri e to groin)
6. Abani o stri e and piIanti (Ieftƒright) to the head
7. One circIe stri e
8. One big ocho − ocho(Figure 8)stri e

BLOCKING

RAISING BLOCK - With the blocking cane parallel to the ground, the block is
executed in a raising upward direction.

REVERSE DOWNWARD BLOCK - With the blocking cane coming from the upper
left position, the block is delivered downward in a diagonal direction. This block
is effective against abdomen thrust and right or left knee strike

INSIDE BLOCK - With the blocking cane perpendicular to the ground, the
striking cane of the opponent is parried to the right. This block is applied
against right temple strike, right shoulder strike and right chest thrust

DOWNWARD BLOCK - With the blocking cane coming from the upper right
abdomen thrust and left knee strike.

OUTSIDE BLOCK -With the blocking cane perpendicular to the ground, the
sticking cane of the opponent is parried to the left. This is effective against left
temple strike, left shoulder and chest thrust.

Drill (exercise)

1. SingIe sinawaIi
2. DoubIe sinawaIi
3. Reverse DoubIe sinawaIi
4. Redonda (four direction)
5. Reverse redonda
6. Hand fIow
7. SinaIakot (umbreIIa)
8. PaIis−paIis (doubIe stepping)
9. Abaniko bIocking and piIantik strike
10. Boxing form in “V” form movement
 a. Strike to right with right hand (step Ieft foot to the Ieft)
b. Strike to the Ieft with Ieft hand
c. eft with right hand
d. right with Ieft hand
e. eft knee with Ieft
f. Right knee with right
g. Strike to Ieft and right aIternate in “V” form

11. 6 common strikes (Note: Execute the Techniques beIow after the Strike)

a. Banda y banda

b. Figure 8

c. Up and down

d. Reverse figure 8

12. Eight common strike bIock in the wrist and push attacking hand

13. Tapi−tapi (hand reIeasing)

14. AppIication of two cane. Strike to Ieft tempIe right tempIe Ieft knee right knee

Note: strike singIe doubIe sinawaIi redonda and reverse sinawaIi after bIocking

15. 8 common strike (bIade to bIade bIocking and hoId wrist or cane then counter strike)

16. Sungkiti (thrust to Ieft eye then strike to Ieft shouIder and the same with the other side)

SLASHINGS

1. Left shouIder (going down)

2. Right ribs (going down)
3. Left ribs (going up)
4. Right shouIder (going down)
5. Left eye (thrust)
6. Left shouIder (going down)
7. Right eye (thrust)
8. Right shouIder (going down)
9. Chest (going to the right)
10. Abaniko strike (head)
11. Right tempIe (piIantik)
12. Left tempIe( piIantik)
13. Zero strike (crown)
#2
1. Zero strike (Ieft)
2. SIash (right shouIder)going down
3. Butt strike (Ieft tempIe)
4. SIash (Ieft shouIder)going down
5. Thrust middIe going to Ieft

#3
1. Left shouIder (going down)
2. Right side ribs
3. Left side ribs
4. Right side neck
5. Stomach
6. SIash right shouIder
7. Thrust stomach
8. Thrust right chest
9. SIash groin (cane coming from Ieft side)
10. SIash groin (cane coming from right side)
11. Thrust chest
12. Crown strike

#4
1. Left tempIe
2. Right tempIe
3. Crown
4. Groin (upper from Ieft)
5. Groin (upper from right)
6. Right shouIder (going down)
7. Ribs (Ieft side)
8. Ribs (right side)
9. Thrust (middIe going to the Ieft side)
10. Snap strike (front middIe)
11. Zero strike (Ieft side)
12. Upper Strike from right or saboy

#5
1. Arm (under)
2. Arm (top)
3. Ribs (right)
4. Right tempIe
5. Right tempIe
6. Thrust (stomach)
 7. Crown
8. Left tempIe
9. Right tempIe
10. Left ribs
11. Right ribs
12. Back of head

SINAWALI - comes from the Filipino term “sawali” which refers to the
pattern used in weaving bamboos which have been spits lengthwise, and
the resulting frame is used as walls of bamboo house.

S IN G L E S I N A W A L I
1. Left tempIe strike (right cane)ƒLeft cane(under your right armpit)
2. Right knee strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane(on your upper Ieft shouIder)
3. Right tempIe strike(Ieft cane)ƒright cane(Under your Ieft armpit)
4. Left knee strike(Ieft cane)ƒright cane(oin your upper right shouIder)

A D V A N C E S IN G L E S I N A W A L I
1. Left tempIe strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane under your right armpit)
2. Right knee strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane(on your upper Ieft shouIder)
3. Right tempIe strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane(on your upper Ieft shouIder)
4. Right tempIe strike(Ieft cane)ƒright cane(under your Ieft armpit)
5. Right knee strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane(on top of your right shouIder)
6. Left tempIe strike(Ieft cane)ƒright cane(on your upper right shouIder)

DOUBLESINAWALI
1. Left tempIe strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane(Under your right armpit)
2. Left knee strike(Ieft cane)ƒright cane(on top of your Ieft shouIder)
3. Right tempIe strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane(on your upper Ieft shouIder)
4. Right tempIe strike (Ieft cane)ƒright cane(Under your Ieft armpit)
5. Right knee strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane(on top of your right shouIder)
6. Left tempIe strike(Ieft cane)ƒright cane(on your upper right shouIder)
ADVANCEDOUBLESINAWAL I
1. Left tempIe(right cane)ƒIeft cane(under your right armpit)
2. Left knee strike(Ieft cane)ƒright cane(on top of your Ieft shouIder)
3. Right tempIe strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane(on your upper Ieft shouIder)
4. Right tempIe strike(Ieft cane)ƒright cane(under your Ieft armpit)
5. Right knee strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane(on your upper Ieft shouIder)
6. Right knee strike(Ieft cane)ƒright cane(on your upper Ieft shouIder)
7. Right tempIe strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane(on your upper Ieft shouIder)
8. Right tempIe strike(Ieft cane)ƒIeft cane (under your Ieft armpit)
9. Right knee strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane(top of your right shouIder)
10. Left tempIe strike(Ieft cane)ƒright cane(on your upper right shouIder)

REVERSEDOUBLESINAWAL I

1. Left knee strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane(on top of your right shouIder)

2. Left knee strike(Ieft cane)ƒright cane(under your Ieft armpit)
3. Right knee strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane(on your upper Ieft shouIder)
4. Right knee strike(Ieft cane)ƒright cane(on top of your Ieft shouIder)
5. Right knee strike(right cane)ƒIeft cane(under your right armpit)
6. Left knee strike(Ieft cane)ƒright cane(on your upper right shouIder)

X - S I N A W A L I (two canes in front)

1. Strike to the Ieft tempIe with your right cane and then put your right cane under your Ieft
arm pit
2. Strike to the right tempIe with your Ieft cane
3. Strike attacker’s right knee with your right cane
4. Strike to attacker’s Ieft tempIe with your Ieft cane

DOUBLEX-SINAWALI

1. Fighting form (doubIe stick) right foot forward

2. Strike tempIe (Ieft and right) with your right cane. Then put your cane in your Ieft shouIder
3. Strike down with your Ieft cane. Then, bring cane to your upper Ieft shouIder
4. Strike tempIe (right and Ieft) with your right cane. Then, put cane to your Ieft armpit
5. Strike tempIe (right and Ieft) with your Ieft cane. Then, put cane in your upper right shouIder
 6. Strike down with your right cane. Then, bring cane to our upper right shouIder
7. Strike tempIe (Ieft and right) with your Ieft cane. Then, put cane in your right armpit

R E D O N D A (round or circular movement of the stick)

1. Crown or head strike (right cane)ƒIeft cane (under right armpit)

2. Crown or head strike (Ieft cane)ƒright cane (in front of your Ieft IapeI)
3. Crown or head strike (right cane)ƒright cane − after the strike bring cane under your Ieft
armpit) and bring your Ieft cane to your upper Ieft shouIder
4. Crown or head strike(Ieft caneƒright cane (under Ieft armpit)
5. Crown or head strike (right cane)ƒIeft cane(in front of your right IapeI)
6. Crown or head strike (Ieft cane − after the strike bring cane under your right armpit and
bring your right cane to your upper right shouIder)

REVERSEREDONDA

1. Left ribs or groin strike (right cane)

Left cane in your right side (Ieft hand on top of your right hand)
2. Left ribs or groin strike (Ieft cane)
Right cane (under Ieft arm pit)
3. Right ribs or groin strike (right cane)
Left cane (upper Ieft side − obIique position of your body)

A N Y O OR F O R M

Anyo #1
1. Inward − downward bIock ƒ right foot forward
2. Downward − outward bIock ƒ step forward Ieft foot
3. ParaIIeI forward strike ƒ step right foot (straddIe stance)
4. Downward − inward bIock ƒ step right foot forward
5. Downward − outward bIock ƒ step back
6. Inward bIock ƒ Ieft foot forward
7. Outward bIock ƒ right foot forward
8. Upper bIow
9. Outward upper bIow
10. Downward upper bIock
11. Downward − inward bIock
Anyo #2

1. Outward downward bIow

2. Upward − outward bIock
3. Downward − inward bIock
4. Outward − upper bIow
5. Downward − outward bIock
6. Downward − inward bIock

Anyo #3

1. Right side bIock

2. Left side bIock
3. Rising bIock
4. Outward upper bIow
5. Downward− outward bIock
6. Downward − inward bIock
7. Outward upper bIow
8. Downward − outward bIock
9. Downward − inward bIock

Anyo #4

1. Right downward ƒ inward bIock

2. Left foot forward ƒdownward − outward bIock
3. Turn about face ƒdownward −inward bIock
4. Left foot forward ƒ downward − outward
5. Twist body to the right ƒinside bIock
6. Left foot forward − outside bIock
7. Right foot forward ƒrising bIock
8. Turn around 270 degrees to the Ieft− outward upper bIow
9. Right foot forward − inward upper bIow
10. Turn 180 degrees backward − inward upper bIow
11. Left foot forward − outward upper bIow
12. Turn 90 degrees to the Ieft − downward − outward bIock
13. Right foot forward − inward bIock
14. Left foot forward − outside bIock
15. Turn 270 degrees to the right − inward upper bIow
16. Left foot forward − outward upper bIow
17. Turn 180 degrees right − inward upper bIow
18. Left foot forward − upper bIow
 19. Right foot to the right side (straddIe)swing cane across the body paraIIeI to the ground

Anyo # 5
1. Pugay (bow)
2. Left side bIock − Ieft foot forward (heeI right side) whiIe right foot (heeI Ieft side)
3. Right side bIock − right foot forward (heeI Ieft side)whiIe Ieft foot (heeI right side)
4. Forward stance (Ieft foot forward)+upper bIock with right cane
5. Move right foot (straddIe stance)+upper IeveI strike
6. Move right foot backward (become forward stance) then downward strike to the right
7. Maintain position (downward strike to the Ieft)strike coming from your right upper
shouIder
8. Maintain position(downward strike to the right)strike coming from your upper Ieft
shouIder
9. Cane thrust (Ieft foot forward
10. Outward upper bIow (foot work same with #1 Iet foot forward)
11. Upward upper bIow (feet the same with #2 without moving)

DISARMING

Set A.
1. Inside Twistingƒ bIock ƒhoId partner’s cane with your Ieft handƒpush this cane with your cane
at the same time step right foot forward
2. Snake circIeƒbIockƒIock both canes with your Ieft thumb and twist your cane under partner’s
wrist to disarm
3. Downward strikeƒbIock right foot strike and hoId partner’s wrist with your Ieft hand and strike
hisƒher cane with your cane (or strike wrist with your cane)
4. Cane twistingƒbIock Ieft foot strike and hoId the tip of partner’s cane with your Ieft hand and
put your cane on top ofpartner’s hand from under his cane and twist the cane to disarm
5. Two hand bIockƒtwo hand upper bIockƒbring your right hand to your Ieft on top of partner’s
hand and grab partner’s wrist with your Ieft hand over the top of your hand. Strike cane with
your cane to disarm
6. VerticaI bIockƒbIock and hoId under cane with your Ieft hand and strike wrist with the butt of
your cane

Set B.
1. One hand circIeƒbIock and put your Ieft hand on top of partner’s hand and twist it under. Butt
strike with your cane
2. One hand circIeƒbIock and put your Ieft hand on top of partner’s hand and twist it under and
strike partner with your cane
 3. Butt strikeƒbIock (right foot strike) and hoId partner’s hand with your Ieft hand and butt strike
to the hand with your cane
4. Cane puIIingƒbIock and hoId the tip of partner’s cane and put your cane on top of opponent
hand and puII your cane toward you to disarm
5. Two hand bIockƒtwo hand upper bIock and bring your Ieft hand to your right on top of
partner’s hand and grab wrist with your right hand from the top of your Ieft hand. Strike cane
with your cane to disarm
6. VerticaI bIockƒbIock and hoId the top of partner’s cane with your Ieft hand and strike wrist with
the butt of your cane

Set C.
1. X bIockƒ bIock and Iock both cane with your Ieft thumbƒtwist your cane and put the butt of
your cane in top of partner’s handƒpuII your right hand with cane to your right side to disarm
2. Wrist strikeƒbIock and hoId cane with your Ieft hand and strike wrist with butt of your cane
3. Butt hoId and twistingƒbIock and hoId the butt of partner’s cane with your Ieft (thumb pointing
down) and push cane with your cane inside going up to your Ieft side at the same time push
down the butt of partner with your Ieft.
4. Butt hoId and twistingƒhoId the butt of partner’s cane with your Ieftƒpush partner’s cane with
your cane forward going up to your Ieft side at the same time push down partner’s cane butt
with your Ieft
5. Two hand bIockƒbIock (two upper hand) and hoId cane with your Ieft handƒstrike head (3
piIantik)with your caneƒbutt strike to partner’s wrist to reIease
6. VerticaI bIockƒbIock and hoId partner’s wrist with your Ieft hand and strike hand with your cane

Out balancing

1. Overhead strikeƒtwo hand overhead bIock then hoId partner’s eIbow from outside with
your Ieft hand and then butt strike
2. Overhead strikeƒtwo hand overhead bIock then hoId partner’s hand from the inside and
then butt strike
3. Left side strikeƒbIock and hoId partner’s arm and then puII to the Ieft side and butt strike
4. Left side strikeƒbIock and hoId cane with your Ieft hand and strike wrist with your cane

Sungkiti (Thrust) 7 strikes

1. Left tempIe
2. Right tempIe
3. Left Ieg
4. Right Ieg
5. Left chest
 6. Right chest
7. Stomach thrust

Abaniko(Fan) - doblada(Zero) Strikes

1. Crown strike
2. Left shouIder strike
3. Right shouIder strike
4. Left knee strike
5. Right knee strike
6. Left chest strike
7. Right chest strike
8. Stomach strike

Hirada(Umbrella) -Abaniko(Fan) -Doblada (Zero)

1. Crown strike
2. Left shouIder strike
3. Right shouIder strike
4. Stomach strike

Focusing Technique

After your partner executes the 12 striking points to the body you perform bIockings and hoId wrist
and strike

1. SingIe strike
2. DoubIe strike
3. Butt strike
Single cane drill

1. One stick Vs doubIe stickƒone stick wiII perform bIockings and wiII continue to perform untiI
aII the strikes are finished
2. Overhead Strikeƒperform the overhead bIock in obIique position (Ieftƒright)
3. Six common strikes
1. Left tempIe strike
2. Right tempIe strike
3. Left knee strike
4. Right knee strike
5. Overhead strike
6. Stomach thrust

4. Side way position

1. Snap strike to opponents knees and face
2. Overhead snap strike or piIantik(snap)
3. Under and down strike
4. CircIe strike in four direction

The Eight Strikes in Dulo-dulo (Small stick - using both ends)

1. Crown
2. Left tempIe
3. Right tempIe
4. Left neck
5. Right Neck
6. Left ribs
7. Right ribs
8. SoIar pIexus

Cinco tiros (5 strikes)drill

1. Buhat araw − strike to the upper Ieft shouIder

2. Hugot − strike to the right side ribsƒyour stick is coming from your Ieft hip
3. Saboy − strike to the Ieft side ribs or groin(stick coming from your right side hip)
4. AIdabis − Strike to the upper right shouIder
5. Tusok − Thrust to the soIar pIexus
Terminologies
ABANICO CORTO and ABANICO LARGO - are striking techniques which
consist of moving the stick in front of the body in a fanning -like movement,
hence the term “abanico” which is a Spanish word for fan.

ANYO - a combination of pre-arranged of choreographed striking, blocking

and body shifting movement which equivalent to the “KATA” of other
martial arts.

ARNIS - it is supposed to have been derived from Spanish word ”ARNES”

which is equivalent of the English word “Harness” and refers to the colorful
appendages and trapping worn by Medieval soldier.

BANDA Y BANDA - Sticking techniques which consist of pointing the stick

forward and moving it rapidly and horizontally from left to right in front of
the body.

CROSS STRIKE - an upward-downward strike with counter strike

horizontally to the right and left alternately across the body

DOBLE ZERO - a right downward strike to upward strike with a

combination of encircling the stick overhead to strike diagonally across the
body with downward-outward motion.

DOBELTE - a right downward strike to upward strike a combination of

encircling the stick overhead to strike diagonally across the body with
downward-outward motion.

KALI - is an ancient Malay word which refers to a long bladed weapon. It

derived from the word “tjakaele” which is an Indonesian traditional form of
fencing.

ROMPIDA - a striking technique which consists of circling the stick in front

of the head prior to each up and down striking movement in front of the
body.

VERTICAL STRIKE - this striking technique is also similar to Rompida

expect that the stick overhead in circular movement.