PED002

COMBATIVE SPORTS: ARNIS

MR. JOSEPH GIEWARD B. LAYAO

College of Sports, Physical Education & Recreation
MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY
PED002
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Module 2: Arnis as a Sport

Objectives: At the end of this module, you are expected to be able to:

1. Recognize properly the different competition officials and the types of equipment
used in Arnis.
2. Illustrate and measure correctly the shape and dimensions of the competition areas.
3. Memorize and explain thoroughly the arnisador’s creed, code of ethics, cardinal rules and
essential principles of Arnis.
4. Appreciate the importance of safety precautions in the practice of Arnis.

Lesson 1: Player Uniforms, Equipment and Facilities, Officials

1. Cane or Club / Arnis Stick

Is the standard equipment used in Arnis. The most common type of cane is made of
rattan, dried, and rounded from the point and the base of the cane (Rattan Stick). The length of
the cane shall be 28 to 30 inches, and about three-quarters to one inch in diameter.

Preferably, padded sticks are used for Sports Arnis. On the other hand, Kamagong Sticks
(a heavier type of wood other than the rattan) and Iron Wood Sticks are commonly used in Anyo
or Form competition.

2. Other Equipment

Moreover, Arnis is using a variety of equipment such as assorted canes or bladed weapons
with the length of an itak or bolo, truncheon, swagger stick, dagger or knife or a long pole.

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3. Official Uniform

Players in arnis wear white t-shirt (short sleeves), red loose pants, and shoes (rubber-
soled and dominantly white).

4. Sports Arnis Gears

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5. Belts

The rank of an Arnis player is signified by a belt just like in other martial arts (see Appendix
A). Ranks in Arnis are earned only after long training. Arnis is an art so intricate that before player
can earn a rank, he must undergo continues and scientific training.

But the color scheme is different. The belts used are: white (Likas); brown rimmed with
blue (Likha); and black rimmed with red (Lakan & Dayang ). Also, it is knotted at the right side of
the player instead of in front.

CLASSIFICATION OF ARNIS PLAYERS ACCORDING TO RANK

National Grading System

Belt Male Female

White Likas Likas
Brown (rimmed with blue) Likha Likha
1st Likha-Isa Likha-Isa
2nd Likha-Dalawa Likha-Dalawa
3rd Likha-Tatlo Likha-Tatlo
Black (rimmed with red) Lakan Dayang
1stDan Lakan-Isa Dayang-Isa
2ndDan Lakan-Dalawa Dayang-Dalawa
3rdDan Lakan-Tatlo Dayang-Tatlo
4thDan Lakan-Apat Dayang-Apat
5thDan Lakan-Lima Dayang-Lima
6thDan Lakan-Anim Dayang-Anim
7thDan Lakan-Pito Daayang-Pito
8thDan Lakan-Walo Dayang-Walo
9thDan Lakan-Siyam Dayang-Siyam
10thDan Lakan-Sampu Dayang-Sampu

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6. Sports Arnis Competition Area

• Full Combat Event

The dimension of the playing area is a square measuring 8 X 8 meters with a two (2)
meters minimum 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. 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.

• Anyo Event

The dimension of the playing is a square measuring 10 X 10 meters with a 2 meters

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

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7. Tournament Officials

The following descriptions of the duties and responsibilities of the tournament officials in
Sports Arnis are adopted from the International Rules for Sports Arnis by the i-ARNIS (2011):

1. Tournament Officials- the official body who shall implement the rules and regulations and
shall have the sole authority in the administration of the tournament proper. The tournament
officials are certified by the i-ARNIS.

2. Tournament Director- the over-all administrator and chairperson who shall directly ensure the
proper implementation of all procedures.

3. Screening Committee- this committee is composed of three (3) members who shall enforce
the requirements as stipulated in Rule 4, Chapter two in rule book. This committee shall include
the tournament officials and a physician as members.

4. Referees and judges- these are officials who enforce the conduct of all tournament in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the game. All Referees and judges should have taken
and passed the accreditation and licensure seminar of i-ARNIS and must be in good standing.
Refreshers Course is required for all Referees and Judges who have not affiliated in any
tournament for at least six (6) months. They are the officiating officials of the tournament whose
decisions are FINAL.

5. Timer- shall keep time during the actual match. A gong, whistle or bell shall be provided for
his/her use in announcing the start and the end of the game and other calls.

6. Recorder- shall be tasked with recording the results of the actual games. A record sheet shall
be provided foe his/her use in recording results.

7. Tabulators- shall be composed of the Chairman of the Judges, Recorder and Timer. They shall
be tasked in recording scores, violations, and the time of the actual performance/s. They shall
give the final results to the official's table.

8. Flag Officials- these are the officials who will declare the violation/s of the performer/s by
raising the corresponding flag/s.

9. Matcher- shall arrange the matches prior to the tournament and update the matches between
players during the tournament.

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Lesson 2: Ethics & Etiquette, Cardinal Rules & Principles and Safety
1: Ethics and Etiquette

a. Arnisador’s Creed

Arnis is a tie that binds us

Respect for Masters is our first discipline
Never criticize the style, master or art of another
Integrity is the basis of our character
Show humility in victory and grace in defeat
Anger is a weakness to be mastered
Develop your inner self as well as your outward skills
Open your mind to learn from anyone at anytime
Remember – Arnis has its origin as a fighting art
-Radcliff (2011)

b. Cardinal Rules and Essential Principles

Arnis as an art has cardinal rules to be observed and to be inculcated in the

students. The cardinal rule in Arnis is respect for one’s opponent as a person and as a
fighter, and as sportsman. It should always be remembered that an opponent is a human
being with dignity as you have and worthy of respect. Sportsmanship, on the other hand,
is the measure of a fighter or player, the laurels of victory should never be worn with
superiority but with humility.

Besides these cardinal rules, there are other values in Arnis that the students must
be taught to live by, these are:

• Character – a student must be taught the moral (and religious) values of

everything. It is an obligation of the teacher of arnis to mold the character of
the student in such a way that his behaviors would be motivated by righteous
desire.

• Sincerity – sincerity for victory’s sake is not the all-consuming end of an Arnis
player. The martial art of Arnis has been highly regarded as a good medium for
the development of the practitioner’s sense of dedication in all his everyday
endeavor and involvement. Sincerity is the mother of trust and trust makes an
institution of what has been shattered by doubts.
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• Discipline – Arnis is a molder of discipline. It is the responsibility of the

teachers of the art to guide the students to this end. Strict compliance to rules
and conduct is an athlete’s obligation. Proper behavior in the sport and in life
itself will be the gauge of success. Personal discipline is important, and a
student should learn to control himself in the pursuance of his goal, not only
to his art but also to life in general.

• Self-Control – losing one’s head means defeat. One should learn to control his
temper if he hopes to achieve success in every endeavor. In Arnis, self-control
is important for without it, life and good health of another may be lost. The
possession of an ability to kill or injure a person should be handled with
extreme caution and prudence.

• Etiquette – etiquette is allied to the main cardinal rules in Arnis. One’s norm
and standard should never be imposed upon others. One should learn how to
respect others. Giving credence to the standard and ability of another person
should or will best prepare anybody in any endeavor.

• Student’s Loyalty – loyalty should be emphasized to the students, loyalty to

the art, to a fellow player, and to his teacher. Ingratitude to one is ingratitude
to the other. A student should pledge loyalty to a fellow player because any
disloyalty to him is disloyalty to the art itself. More important, a student should
be loyal to his teacher. Everything one has learned is owned by him to his
teacher. Personal whims should never make one to be ungrateful to where he
owes everything he knows. In the skirmishes of things, the student should be
always loyal to him.

c. Code of Ethics

• Arnis is an event that aims to bond and develop friendship and brotherhood.
• It is never a sport to hurt and defeat the opponent but to improve the skills of
the players
• It aims to develop the mind, the physique and the character of the player.
• Arnis is played to develop the social aspect that will lead to close bonding of
all practitioners.

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• All the practitioners should respect each other. They salute (“pugay” or
“courtesy bow”) each other when they meet and from a meeting before they
depart. The juniors must salute first and maintain the position until the seniors
answer their salute.
• The juniors do not have the right to challenge to fight the seniors unless in the
program set by their association to fulfill an objective.
• All the practitioners continue to move on as there is room for improvement or
advancement.
• Each practitioner must share with other beginners or practitioners the
advancement attained.
• Practitioners must desire to strengthen the Arnis family they belong to by
sharing love, knowledge and understanding.
• Practitioners must remember that Arnis is not a means to fight people but to
bond with them for life improvement.

d. Essential Principles

The true power of Arnis does not end with the techniques alone. There is still much power
left untapped if these techniques are not executed along with the essential principles underlying
its execution. Thus, it is essential that the learner should know these principles by heart and
commit the techniques to memory.

1. Physical Principles

The learner must always bear in mind speed. Speed in delivering the strokes, speed with
the hand, speed with the feet, and even with eyes in spotting the weak points of the opponent.
The learner must train himself to stare for long periods without winking- a wink in actual combat
might prove fatal. The learner should also learn how to swing the club. In swinging, the grip must
be firm and the stroke must be delivered with a jerk. He must also relax his wrist after each stroke.
A player should not allow distance to separate him from his opponent as distance makes him
vulnerable.

2. Psychological Principles

The learner must not be unruffled but composed and calm so as to be able to concentrate
on his opponent and have a full command of the situation. The learner must also constantly be
aware of the ability of his opponent, knowing that his inability to assess every movement will be
fatal to himself. But above all, the learner must have the will to fight and win. Without this
attitude, a player's effort would be inefficacious.

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e. Safety

Some common procedures in training must be done for the safety practice of Arnis in
classroom or even in club settings.

1. Wear proper attire or loose-fitting clothing for comfort and mobility.

2. Remove all jewelry before the start of the activity.
3. Proper warm-up and conditioning exercise should be observed specially during
strenuous activities to avoid muscle fatigue and further injuries.
4. Strike with accuracy and control especially during basic sparring, Sinawali, blockings
and counter attacks to elude unforeseen injuries.
5. Delivery of the strikes, thrusts and counter attacks should never be aimed directly on
the vital striking areas of the body to avoid further accident.
6. Proper gripping of the cane or Arnis stick should always be observed specially during
activity manipulation, whirling, and twisting to avoid mishap.
7. It is suggested to execute the basic skills in slow motion especially to the novices to
lessen unfortunate accident during practice.

Activity 3: What are your thoughts on the following:

Write it in a Microsoft word in at least two paragraphs for each of the questions. Submit it to
our google classroom on or before October 11, 2021.

1. Arnis as a Filipino Martial Art. Arnis as a Sport. What does this mean to you as a Filipino? (10pts)

2. As you have read, understood and learned about the arnisador’s creed, cardinal rules,
essential principles and the code of ethics, do you believe that Arnis has the power to make a
significant difference in the lives of its practitioners? How could it be beneficial to our increasingly
sedentary society in general? Explain. (10pts)

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