THE 12 STRIKING AND BLOCKING

TECHNIQUES
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Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:

1. Identify the 12 Vital Striking Points of the Body.

2. Perform the 12 Striking and Blocking Techniques.
3. Recognize the 12 Striking and Blocking Techniques.
THE 12 STRIKING AND BLOCKING TECHNIQUES

The twelve striking techniques are the “life and soul” of Arnis. They are the hinges
around which other techniques in Arnis revolve.

In the twelve striking techniques, the learner is taught how and where to deliver a strike
in order to achieve the maximum power and efficacy. In learning these techniques, the learner
should know the different parts of the body considered vulnerable which excellent target are for
the strikes.

1. The 12 Vital Striking Points of the Body

 AREA TYPES OF REACTIONS
STRIKE USED
1. Left Temple Strike no. 1 Fatal. The least it will cause is internal
haemorrhage in the brain or skull fracture.
2. Right Temple Strike no. 2 Same as in No. 1
3. Left Shoulder Strike no. 3 Numbing pain, It may also cripple the
shoulder.
4. Right Shoulder Strike no. 4 Same as in No. 3
5. Stomach Strike no. 5 Crippling pain and could be fatal.
6. Left Chest Strike no. 6 Could be fatal.
7. Right Chest Strike no. 7 Could be fatal.
8. Right Knee Strike no. 8 Dislocation or fracture. May also cripple.
9. Left Knee Strike no. 9 Same as in no. 8
10. Left Eye Strike no. 10 Serious damage to the eye.
11. Right Eye Strike no. 11 Same as in no. 10
12. Crown Strike no. 12 fatal

Points to remember: it should be always remembered that strikes on these areas should be
delivered with full force; otherwise the whole thing would be useless.

2. The Striking techniques

• Striking Technique No. 1- Left Temple Attack

Mechanics:

With elbow bent, swing right hand backward accompanied by a twist of the body. Then
execute right forward stance or stay on the straddle leg stance simultaneously swinging right
hand forward, closed plan up, to strike directly at the opponent’s left temple.

Common Errors and Corrections:

In executing all of these movements, the left hand should always be on guard, held high
at chest level for defensive purposes.

• Striking Technique No. 2- Right Temple Attack

Mechanics:

From the final position in No. 1, withdraw right foot slightly backward, at the same time
bring right hand holding cane at shoulder level and slightly twist body backward to the left. Slide
right foot forward to assume the right forward stance or stay on the straddle leg stance position
simultaneously swinging the right hand forward, closed palm facing downward, to strike at the
right temple.
• Striking Technique No. 3- Left Shoulder Attack

Mechanics:

From the final position in No. 2, withdraw right foot slightly backward and bring right
hand to the right as in No. 1. Slide right foot forward to assume right forward stance or stay on
the straddle leg stance position at the same time swing right hand forward to strike at the left
shoulder.

• Striking Techniques No. 4- Right Shoulder Attack

Mechanics:

From the Final position in No. 3, withdraw right foot slightly backward and bring right
hand to the left at shoulder level. Slide right foot forward or stay on the straddle leg stance
position, closed palm facing downward to strike at right shoulder.

• Striking Technique No. 5- Thrust to the Stomach

Mechanics:

From the final position in No. 4, slide right foot slightly backward and withdraw right
hand backward to the right at hip level (elbow at right angle). Slide right foot forward to assume
right forward stance or stay on straddle leg stance position, at the same time, thrust cane forward
aimed at the stomach.
• Striking Technique No. 6- Left Chest Attack

Mechanics:

From the final position in No. 5, slide right foot slightly backward, at the same time,
withdraw right hand rearward at shoulder level, closed palm facing downward. Then lunge
forward with right foot or stay on the straddle leg stance position and thrust cane to the left chest.

• Striking Technique No. 7- Right Chest Attack

Mechanics:

From the final position in No. 6, slide right foot backward at the same time withdraw
right hand to the left at hip level, cane pointing downward, then upward to left shoulder level,
twisting the right hand wrist ( closed palm facing upward), and positioning the cane with its tip
directly pointing at the target. Then slide right foot forward or stay on the straddle leg stance
position and thrust cane to the right chest.

• Striking Technique No. 8- Right Knee Attack

Mechanics:

From the final position in No. 7, slide right foot slightly backward, at the same time,
swing cane to the left, outward, hand at shoulder level and closed palm facing downward. Slide
right foot forward or stay on the straddle leg stance position simultaneously swinging cane
forward and downward to strike the right knee.
• Striking Technique No. 9- Left Knee Attack

Mechanics:

From the final position in No. 8, slide right foot slightly backward, at the same time,
withdraw right hand to the right at shoulder level, swinging it backward, body facing 49 degrees
at the right. Slide right foot forward or stay on the straddle leg stance position simultaneously
swinging cane forward and downward to strike the left knee.

• Striking technique No. 10- Left Eye Attack

Mechanics:

From the final position in No. 9, slide right foot slightly backward simultaneously
withdrawing right hand to the right at shoulder level, closed palm facing downward. Slide right
foot forward or stay on the straddle leg stance position and thrust cane to the left eye

• Striking Technique No. 11- Right Eye Attack

Mechanics:

From the final position in No. 10, slide right foot slightly backward to assume forward
stance or stay on the straddle leg stance position, at the same time, bring right hand to the left at
shoulder level, closed palm facing upward and simultaneously thrust cane to the right eye.

Points to Remember:

When practicing this technique and that of No. 10 and 11 do not aim cane directly to the
eye to avoid accident.
• Striking Technique No. 12- Crown Attack

Mechanics:

From the final position in No. 11, slide right foot slightly backward and assume a forward
stance or stay on the straddle leg stance position, simultaneously withdrawing right hand over
head and swing cane backward. Then strike from the top downward to hit the crown of the head.

BLOCKING TECHNIQUES

It is said that the capacity of a defender to endure an attacker’s strike depends mush on
his ability to parry or block deadly blows effectively and to counter strike with equal efficacy.

To be able to put an effective defense, the defender must, of necessity, achieve perfect
body balance so that his potential martial strength will be concentrated in his two hands. This
body balance is best seen in the correct stance which he is to execute before making any attempt
to block or parry his opponent’s blow. Lacking this preparatory fighting stance, the defender can
easily be staggered or thrown off-balance by even a lee deadly blow delivered to him.

A military strategist once said that only by knowing your enemy will you be able to
defeat him. In the world of martial arts, one knows his enemy only if he knows the sophisticated
fighting techniques in his enemy’s arsenal. Knowledge of the opponent’s ability as a formidable
foe equated by the player’s expertise to defend himself gives him self-confident, a psychological
feeling which boosts his morale and improves his primitive strength. Thus, the initial phase of
the fight has already been won.
 1. Inward Block

Mechanics:

Initial position: Open-leg stance, knees bent in fight posture, left hand with open-palm
held up in front of the body.

With right elbow at right angle and cane pointing upward, lunge with right forward
stance, twisting, body to the right and at the same time, bringing cane forward, braced by left
hand to block attacker’s blow.

2. Outward Block
Mechanics:

Initial Position: The same with Inward Block.

With elbow at right angle and cane pointing upward, lunge with right( or left) forward
stance simultaneously twisting body to the left and, at the same time, bringing cane forward,
braced by the left hand to block attacker’s blow.

3. Downward-Inward Block

Mechanics:

Initial position: The same with Inward Block.

In a right (or left) forward stance, bring cane from left downward to the right to block
attacker’s blow.
 4. Downward-Outward Block

Mechanics:

Initial Position: The same with Inward Block.

In a right (or left) forward stance, bring cane from right downward to the left to block
attacker’s blow.

5. Vertical Block

Mechanics:

Initial Position: The same with Inward Block.

 In a right (or left) forward stance, raise right elbow to shoulder level and twist wrist
outward to the left so that cane in vertical with tip pointing downward. Always brace the cane
with open palm of left hand at the middle section.

6. Rising Block

Mechanics:

Initial Position: The same with Inward Block.

In a right (or left) forward stance with cane in front at hip level, raise cane horizontally
forward and over the head supported open palm of the left hand to block attacker’s blow.

Activity 4:

Direction: Create a short video recording of yourself while performing the following:

1. The 12 striking techniques

2. Blocking techniques.