KINDS OF STANCES

1. READY STANCE

 Stand with your feet apart parallel to the shoulder with both toes
pointing forward.
 The knees should be straight, the waist and the body facing
forward.
 Hands are on waist level and the hands should hold the sticks
on both sides.
 The ready stance is commonly used when standing at ease
during training or tournaments.

2. ATTENTION STANCE
 Stand with your feet forming a 450 angle.
 Heels should be close to each other, knees should be straight,
the waist and body facing forward.
 Shoulders are dropped to the side and both hands are at waist
level.
 The Attention Stance is commonly used in preparation for
courtesy or “bowing” at commencement of sparring.

3. FORWARD STANCE
 Starting with the ready sta nce, move one foot forwards until the
knee and the toe are in line to each other.
 Both toes are pointing in front, the waist and the body is facing
forward.
 The body should not be too low or the lead foot too extended
otherwise it will be hard to maneuver.
 Distribute the weight or center of gravity to both legs.
 Forward stances can be right foot lead, which is the Right Foot
Forward Stance of it can be left foot lead which is the Left Foot
Forward Stance.
 Forward Stance are commonly
used with frontal striking or
blocking techniques.

4. OBLIQUE STANCE
 Starting with the ready stance, move one foot
forward 450 away from the body until the toe are in
line to each other.
  Move on the same direction as the lead foot (e.g. for right foot lead, move 45 0
forward to the right.)
 Both toes are pointing in front, the waist and the body is facing forward.
 The body should not be too low or the lead foot too extended otherwise it will be hard
to maneuver.
 Distribute the weight or center of gravity to both legs.
 Oblique stances can be right foot lead, which is the Right Foot Oblique Stance or it
can be left foot lead which is Left Foot Oblique Stance.
 Oblique Stances are commonly used for forward blocking and evasion techniques.

5. STRADDLE STANCE
 Starting with the ready stance, move one foot about 2 feet to the left or to the right
direction until both lower legs are almost perpendicular to
the groun d.
 Both toes are pointing in front, the waist and the body is
facing forward.
 The body should not be too low or extended otherwise it
will be hard to maneuver.
 Distribute the weight or center of gravity to both legs.
Straddle stance are also called Horseback Riding Stance
since it mimics position when riding on a horse back.
 Straddle stances are commonly used for blocking the
strikes to the side of the body.

6. SIDE STANCE
 Staring with the ready stance, move one foot about two feet to the left or right
direction.
 Moving foot will be perpendicular to the ground while the other leg is extended
thereby creating a position like that of a side kick.
 Both toes are pointing in front, the waist and the body
is facing forward.
 The body should not be too low or extended
otherwise it will be hard to maneuver.
 Distribute the weight or center of gravity in both legs.
If the left foot moves to the side, it becomes Left Foot
Side Stance, if the right foot moves to the side, it
becomes Right Foot Side Stance.
 Side Stances are commonly used for strike deflection
and evasion techniques.

7. BACK STANCE
  Starting with the ready stance, move one foot backward
450 away from the body.
 The heels of the foot should form an imaginary “L”
shape while the legs are in a straddle position.
 The body should not be too low or extended otherwise
it will be hard to maneuver.
 Distribute the weight or center of gravity to both legs.
 Back stances can be right foot lead, which is the Right
Foot Back Stance or it can be left foot lead which is
Left Foot Back Stance.
 Back stances are used for blocking and backward
evasion techniques,

THE TWELVE STRIKING TECHNIQUES

1. Left side of the head attack.

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

5. 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.

6. Left chest stab

 In this strike, the weapon hand is then exte nded to the front with the palm facing outward
and the elbow kept up where this strike can cause damage to the rib cage.

7. 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 opponents right lung.

8. Left lower leg.

In this technique, the practitioner will deliver a

powerful strike to the opponents 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 opponents lower leg.

9. 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.
 10. 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.

11. 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 oponent.

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.

Works Cited

Apalin, R. R., & Balmores, T. M. (n.d.). ARNIS. Retrieved from SlideShare:

https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/RendellApalin/arnis-ppt
khalee. (n.d.). 12 Striking Techniques in Arnis. Retrieved from Steemit.com:
https://steemit.com/sportstalk/@khalee/12-striking-techniques-in-arnis