Arnis- also known as Kali or Eskrima/Escrima, is the national martial art of the Philippines.

Arnis traditionally involved rattan, swords, daggers and spears.

2009- the government of the Philippines declared arnis to be the martial art and national sport of the
Philippines.
Eskrima (also spelled Escrima/Eskrima) is a Filipinization of the Spanish word for fencing, esgrima. Their
cognate in French is escrime and is related to the English term 'skirmish'. Kali has multiple theories on its
origin.
According to Guro Dan Inosanto, Kali is a portmanteau of the Cebuano words "kamot", meaning hand,
and "lihok", meaning motion.
In the Ilocano language, kali means "to dig" and "to stab".
There exist numerous similar terms of reference for martial arts such as kalirongan, kaliradman, and
pagkalikali. These may be the origin of the term kali or they may have evolved from it.
The Philippine wood Kamagong is perhaps the best material for Arnis

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

• Opponents will begin and end all matches with a salute or bow to each other and the judges.
• Referee will position fighters beyond largo range at the start of every round.
• Only attacks with the stick and feet are allowed.
• Hits, slashes, and witticks are all legal. Punots, pokes and stabs are all illegal.
• Target areas are: 1) front and sides of the body, 2) arms and hands, 3) top, front and sides of the
helmet.
• Kicks are allowed below the neck and above the waist only.
• In single stick competition, it is NOT legal to block a stick with your free hand. However, “arm
stopping” at quarto range or arm checking is allowed.
• Fighters are required to exhibit a realistic Defense (movement, parrying, intelligent blocking…)
• No takedowns. No grappling, wrestling or hooking.
• No pushing or striking with any part of your body.
• No foot sweeps or throws, thrusting or butt strikes, 2 handed strikes.

• No strikes or kicks below the waistline or direct strikes to the back.

• No kicks below the waist or above the neck.
• No knee strikes or elbow strikes.
• Checks may be used to create distance but may NOT be directed to the face. Checks are allowed below
the neck and above the waist free hand or two hands on weapon (AKA rifle checking).
• Trapping and parrying are allowed. Locking and holding are not.
• An instantaneous “Hold and Hit” with immediate release is allowed.
• In the event inaction or ineffective action in the clinch, referee will call time and break clinch.
• Disarms must be immediate, or have an immediate release (1 – 2 rule applies).
• Joints may not be locked or twisted for a disarm.
• You may use the ring to control the action. You may not use it to avoid action.
• To signal surrender or stop action for an injury, equipment failure, etc., raise both hands and back up.
Do not turn away.
Courtesy bow is an important part and ritual of this sport. This is showing respect to the
opponent or partner in Arnis and is a preparatory position.

Ready Stance - The ready stance is commonly used when standing at ease during
training or tournaments

Attention Stance - The Attention Stance is commonly used in preparation for

courtesy or “bowing” at commencement of sparring
Forward Stance - Forward Stance are commonly used with frontal striking or
blocking techniques.
Oblique Stance - Oblique Stances are commonly used for forward blocking and
evasion techniques.

Straddle Stance - Straddle stances are commonly used for blocking the strikes to
the side of the body.
 Left Side Stance - Side Stances are commonly used for strike deflection and
evasion techniques.
Back Stance - Back stances are used for blocking and backward evasion
techniques.
Body shifting - Body shifting consists of stepping, sliding, turning or combinations
of these movements.

The Basic Blocking Techniques in Arnis are:

 Outward Block.
 Inward Block.
 Downward-Inward Block.
 Downward-Outward Block.
 Rising Block.