LESSON 2

ARNIS
(as the Philippines National Sports)

Similar Sports
• Training Etiquette
• Facilities and Equipment
• Basic Stance

Learning Objectives

Name and describe similar sports to Arnis

Identify the facilities and equipment used in
playing the game
Apply training etiquette in practicing
Execute the basic stances properly

SIMILAR SPORTS
➢ This sport was known as the defensing sport in the past by the practitioners.
➢ The Philippines is known all around the world for its blade culture which has originated from this sport .

• Kendo — a form of Japanese martial art that originated from kenjutsu, using bamboo swords and armor.
• Fencing — competitors face each other and attempt to touch each other with the tip of a thin sword.
• Canne de Combat — a French martial art in which opponents battle each other inside a
ring with a cane in one hand.
• Singlestick — a martial art that uses a wooden stick, which began as a way of training sailors in the use of swords.
• Dumog — a Filipino style of wrestling while standing upright

Training Etiquette

1.Students must bow when entering or leaving the workout area

2. Students must wear either the Kempo or M.M.A. uniform. Singlets are not permitted.
3. All uniforms must be clean and in good condition
4. Students must keep their bodies clean and nails trimmed
5. Students must not wear jewelry or sharp objects when working out
6. Students must not chew gum or eat while in the training area
7. Students must not engage in idle talk while in the training area and should remain attentive at all times
8. Students must always be courteous and helpful to each other.

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT OF THE SPORT

IMPACT WEAPON

1. BASTON (Spanish and Filipino for "cane") is one of Arnis's primary weapons and Filipino
martial arts. It is also known as yantok, olisi,palo, pamalo, garrote, caña, Cane, arnis stick,
eskrima stick. Traditional common materials for wooden bastons are usually rattan,
kamagong, and bahi wood.

2. KAMAGONG (also known as Mabolo) is a dark, dense, expensive type of wood

known for its weight and hardness. It is said that bone will break before a good
kamagong baston will, but those of low quality can splinter or shatter on impact due to
their hardness and lack of flexibility. Kamagong is also an endangered species of ebony
wood, and its export outside the Philippines is illegal without a permit.

3. BAHI is a type of wood made from the heart of a palm tree. It is similar to
kamagong but is made of a porous material in weight and density, which tends to
slightly dent on impact, making it less prone to shattering than kamagong.
Kamagong is a critically endangered lumber species, so it is recommended that
practitioners purchase bahi instead.

EDGE WEAPONS
1. Knife, dagger, spear, and other are melee weapons used
throughout history for combat, hunting, and ceremonies.

2. Baraw is a Cebuano term used in eskrima that means knife or dagger. The
term Baraw is more commonly used on Cebu Island in the Visayan
region. In contrast, other islands and regions more commonly use Daga, but
both terms are often interchangeable within the Filipino martial arts.

3. Daga/Cuchillo (Spanish for dagger and knife) or Baraw/

● Pisaw: daggers or knives of different shapes and sizes
● Balisong: fan knife or butterfly knife from Barrio , Balisong in Batangas
province; the handle is two-piece and attaches to a swivel that folds to enclose the blade
when shut
● Karambit: claw-shaped Indonesian blade held by inserting the finger into a hole at the top of the handle
● Bolo: a knife/sword similar to a machete
● Pinuti: a type of sword from Cebu blade shaped similar to a Sundang
but elongated
● Iták or sundáng: a farm or house hold bladed implement; its blade
has a pronounced belly, chisel ground edge with the handle angled down

FLEXIBLE WEAPON
● Sarong: a length of fabric wrapped around the waist
● Ekut: handkerchief
● Tabak-toyok: chained sticks/ flail or nunchaku
● Latigo (Spanish for whip): consisting of a handle between 8 and 12 inches (200
and 300 mm), and a lash composed of a braided thong 3–20 ft (0.91–6.10 m) long.
The "fall" at the end of the lash is a single piece of leather 10–30 inches (250–760
mm) in length.
● Improvised weapons: Belt, bandana, handkerchiefs, shirts, towels/socks with
hard soap bars/rocks, ropes, power cables, etc

OTHER EXAMPLES OFWEAPONS

 EQUIPEMENTS
● Headgear - Is a necessity in arnis combat. Its materials provide vital protection from head strikes, while maintaining
motion capability. It is covered with high-grade leatherette and vinyl, printed with ethnic art. Multi-thickness metal
frame strategically developed for impact protection.

● Body Armour - Is designed to provide thorough upper body protection while allowing mobility and protection. The
armor is composed of hard plastic and vinyl for lightness, increased comfort, and impact absorption. Lower panels are
extended to increase protective coverage.

● Leg Guard - Provide complementary protection to the other arnis battle gear. They were designed not only for
protection, but also for comfort and practicality. The guards can be used to protect both the thigh and the shin area.

● Groin - Has padding for the lower abdomen and a special contoured groin cup to provide complete protection to the
groin area. The Male Groin Guard is kept in place by a dual-velcro strap, which ensures comfort and ease in wearing.

● Hand Gloves - Serve as a protection from strikes as the stick is held in hand. Its design and structure further ensure
that a stable grip is maintained. Open palm design for easy grip and finger flexibility. Thick rubberized protection and
hard plastic for impact absorption.

● Mats - Gives you comfort during training and demonstration. It is also giving you additional padding between the
floor and your body.

❖ 1.1 Dimensions. The playing area is a square measuring 8.0 meters by 8.0 meters with a one (1) meter free zone
around it, and a clear space without any obstruction up to a height of not less than 5 meters from the playing surface.

❖ 1.2 Lines of the Playing Area. All lines of the playing surface are 5.08 cm. (2 inches) and must be of different color
from that of the floor and other lines previously drawn for other purposes.

❖ 1.3 Outside Lines. Four lines mark the outside line of the playing area. The free zone distance measuring one meter
in each side are drawn outside of the playing area.
 ❖ 1.4 Match Lines. Two lines of 1.0 meter long and 2.0 meters apart the center mark the horizontal match line
➢ 1.4.1 The horizontal match lines are drawn 3 meters from the outside lines.
➢ 1.4.2 The horizontal match line left is red and the opposite horizontal match line is
blue to mark the respective line of each player

❖ 1.5 Referee Line. A straight line of 1.0 meter long is drawn 2.0 meters from the center of
The two players.

❖ 1.6 Warning Lines. A broken straight line is drawn one (1) meter before the outside line to
serve as a warning to the players.

❖ 1.7 Playing Surface

➢ 1.7.1 The surface must be flat and smooth and must not be elevated from the ground
➢ 1.7.2 The playing surface must be clean and free from foreign objects that may endanger or cause injury to the players.
Other surfaces must have the approval of i-ARNIS

❖ 1.8 Neutral Corner. The corner of the playing area between the two (2) judges within the free zone shall be
designated as the neutral corner. This shall be the consultation area for the referee and judges.

❖ 1.9 Temperature .The temperature for the competition shall not be higher than 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees
Fahrenheit) and not lower than 16 degrees (60.8 degrees Fahrenheit).

❖ 1.10 Lighting. Lighting apparatus is located above free space (rule 1.1) It must not cause any reflection to the surface
and must not affect the vision of the players.

❖ 1.10 Lighting . Lighting apparatus is located above free space (rule 1.1) It must not cause any reflection to the surface
and must not affect the vision of the players.