ARNIS

Brief History of the Game

 One of our National Cultural Gems
 An art of defense and self-preservation that is originated in the Philippines.
 A colorful trapping on defensive armors.
 During colonization of the Spaniards, it is called KALI
 The technique of the art is focus on bladed weapons fighting.
 A large bladed weapon longer than a knife was derived from tjakalele which is native fencing in Indonesia.
 It is also being taught in a school like training grounds which is called Bothoan.
 It was the long bloody and turbulent history of fighting for power of the early Filipinos against the Spaniards in the
protection and preservation for dignity and honor.
 The Spanish soldiers made use of the native stick (28 inches) and bladed style also known as itak or bolo in the
Filipino as well as “escrima” also called “eskrima”(skirmish).
 The famous lives of the Filipino heroes were associated with the remarkable influence of the martial art in Arnis.
 Lapu – Lapu was Kali (arnis) expert.
 The first Filipino triumphant stand against a foreign invader.
 Sport of the Kings and members of the royal blood.
Primary, skilled in Arnis were the rajah and maharlika of the Tagalog regions and Visayas, Amandakwa in Pangasinan,
and Baruwang of Cagayan Valley region of the art.
 Mr. Remy A. Presas is the man behind modern Arnis today.

THE PHYSICAL PRINCIPLE

 The learner must always bear in mind speed: speed in delivering the strokes, speed with the hand and feet even with the
eyes in spotting the weak points of the opponent. This speed develops in the players’ agility which is one of the finest
quality of a good Arnis player.
 The learner must train himself to stare for long period without winking because a wink in actual combat might prove
fatal. In swinging, the grip must be firm and the stroke must be delivered with jerk. He must also learn to relax his wrist
after stroke.

CALISTHENICS – (exercise to develop a strong and graceful)

 Aimed not only in developing physical strength, but also speed and agility in movement since Arnis is a sport which
calls for lightning speed execution.
 It is also to develop the player’s keen eyesight, catlike reflexes, and extra sense of anticipation of the opponent’s
movement.
 Calisthenics in Arnis may be grouped in three phases:
1. Limbering exercise
2. Muscle – strengthening exercise
3. Arm twisting with the club or cane.
 Limbering exercise
 Body loosening
 Neck twisting
 Arm – stretching
 Leg lifting
 Side – stretching
 Bending – stand straight
 Trunk – twisting – stand
 Trunk stretching
 Muscle – strengthening exercise
 Push – Up
 Rabbit – hopping exercise
 Arm twisting with club or cane


12 Striking Techniques
Striking Technique No. 1 – Left Temple Striking Technique No. 7 – Right Chest Attack
Striking Technique No. 2 – Right Temple Striking Technique No. 8 – Right Knee Attack
Striking Technique No. 3 – Left Shoulder Striking Technique No. 9 – Left Knee Attack
Striking Technique No. 4 – Right Shoulder Striking Technique No. 10 – Left Eye Attack
Striking Technique No. 5 - Thrust to the Stomach Striking Technique No. 11 – Right Eye Attack
Striking Technique No. 6 – Left Chest Attack Striking Technique No. 12 - Crown Attack.