HISTORY AND BACKGROUND OF ARNIS

The Philippines is an island nation rich in both culture and history. The Filipino martial
art of Arnis/Kali/Escrima has contributed to both the history and diversity of the Philippines.
There are an abundance of styles and systems of Arnis/Kali/Escrima that are taught throughout
the world to this day, that have survived and developed throughout the different regions, families
and teachers who have preserved what is sometimes called a “complete” martial art.

Arnis/Kali/Escrima was originally developed by the people native to the islands using
simple impact and edged weapons such as kampilans, rattan, swords, daggers, spears and other
assorted weaponry for combat and self defense. These weapons were also sometimes used as
farm implements.

The arrival of Ferdinand Magellan’s force in 1521 was met in battle with a group of
islanders, led by Raja Lapu Lapu, who defeated Magellan using only a bladed weapon.
Magellan’s armored and musket bearing conquistadors were overpowered by the fierce fighters
and retreated. The Spanish returned in the 1570’s and this time the Philippines came under
Spanish rule unable to contend with the modern weaponry the Spanish used. The practice of
Arnis/Kali/Escrima was prohibited, but continued and was preserved through native ritual dance,
performance, and mock battles. Thus the arts were passed down in families from generation to
generation, honing their skill, speed, accuracy and agility.

The terms Arnis, Kali and Escrima are all used to refer to the Filipino martial arts. There
has been some confusion as to what word refers to which part of the martial art. It is believed
that Arnis, Kali, and Escrima are all a part of the same art and depending on the location, dialect
and type of training taught. Also, any of the three names may apply to a certain part of training.
One interpretation is that Kali is the mother art of Arnis and Escrima. Arnis focuses on the knife,
including dagger, sword, and any other form of bladed weapon. Escrima is based on the baston
or stick. It has also become very popular in the sport aspect of full contact stick fighting.

To this day Arnis/Kali/Escrima has retained a strong Spanish influence not only in the
names and titles used in training, but in the impact it has had on Filipino culture. Filipino martial
arts continue to encompass a large range of weapons training and hand-to-hand combat,
enriching the culture of Filipino society. Thus the reference to it being a “complete” martial art.

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

Competition Area (Diagram 1 and 2)

Shall refer to the area by which the conduct of the competition
shall be set or held including the free zone around it.
Dimensions
The playing area is a square measuring 8.0 meters by 8.0
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.
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.
Boundary Lines
Four lines mark the boundary of the playing area. The free zone distance measuring 2.0
meters are drawn outside of the playing area.
Match Lines
Two lines of 1.0 meter long and 2.0 meters apart mark the horizontal match line.
The horizontal match lines are drawn 3 meters from the boundary lines that run
perpendicularly to the official’s table, and 3.5 meters from the boundary line that run
parallel to the official’s table. The horizontal match line left of the official’s table is
colored red and the oppositehorizontal match line is blue to mark the respective line of
each player.
Referee Line
A straight line of 1.0 meter long is drawn 2.5 meters from the farthest boundary line
parallel to the official’s table.
Warning Lines
A broken straight line is drawn one (1) meter before each boundary line to serve as a
marker before the outside zone.
Playing Surface
The surface must be flat and smooth and must not be elevated from the ground. The
playing surface must be clean and free from foreign objects that may endanger or cause
injury to the players. It is prohibited to hold any competition on a rough, slippery or soiled
surface. Any other surface must have the approval of i-ARNIS.
Neutral Corner
The corner of the playing area farthest to the official’s table and in 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.
Temperature
The minimum temperature for an outdoor competition
shall not be below 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit).
For the indoor competition, the temperature shall not be
higher than 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit)
and lower than 16 degrees Celsius (61 degrees
Fahrenheit).
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.
Position of Players
Before the game starts, players must be positioned in the
playing area so that the red-coded player is at the right
side of the referee and the blue-coded player is on his left
side.
Equipment
Shall mean the materials and accessories that are used in the conduct of the competition, all of
which shall conform to the standards set and approved by i-ARNIS ONLY.
Weapon
The padded stick shall be the official weapon of the player. the specifications of which
shall be in accordance with the i-ARNIS standard. No other similar material will be
allowed to be used in any local, national or international competitions.
Each padded stick shall be properly foam-cushioned and shall have a maximum grip
diameter of not more than 3.81 cm. (1 1/2 inch) and length of 76.20 cm (30 inches for
men and women). The length of padded stick shall be cm (27 inches for boys and girls).
Both padded stick shall be color-coded, one red and the other blue.
 Head Protector
Refers to a pair of protective head gear to include an impact-worthy face mask, the
specifications of which shall be in accordance with the i-ARNIS standard.
Both headgears must be color-coded, one red and the other blue, to match the padded
stick of the player.
Body Protector
Refers to a pair of protective body protector, properly cushioned , the specifications of
which shall be in accordance with the i-ARNIS standard.
Male and female player must both wear body protec-tor and groin protector. Body
protectors and groin protectors specifications shall be in accordance with the i-ARNIS
standard. Both body protectors and groin protectors shall be color coded to match the
color of the player.
Forearm and shin guards are compulsory. The specifications shall be in accordance with
i-ARNIS standard. Both shin & forearms guards must be color coded to match the color
of the player.
Scoreboards (Diagram 3)
A pair of scoreboards, either manually or electronically
operated, the specifications of which shall be in accordance
with the i-ARNIS standards.
Two score boards per contest area shall be placed at
diagonally opposite corners outside the playing area, inside
the competition area within the free zone, right where the
judges are positioned.
Flags
Two sets of red and blue flags, the size of which is 30 cm by 25
cm, are used by the judges in declaring decisions or asking for
consultation.
One yellow flag, size 30 cm by 25 cm. for timer’s use to signal
the start and the end of each round and to declare a time-out
and resumption of the game.
Other Equipment
Stopwatch is use to keep the two-minutes per round. This excludes interruptions such as
injury, changing of broken padded stick. A gong and mallet or other similar audible
substitutes such as whistle, bell or buzzer shall be provided for the Timer to indicate the
start and end of the round.
 A table shall be provided for the Timer and Recorder which shall be situated one (1)
meter in front of the playing area so that time signals are audible enough to both players
and referee.

RULES AND REGULATIONS OF ARNIS

The Arnis Martial Arts Competition is a continuous, full contact, live weapon, stick
fighting venue. Competitors will fight each other with sticks – slender, cylindrically-shaped
rattan weapons in 2 round matches at 1 minute per round with 30 seconds of rest between
rounds. This is an open-style competition. Competitors will compete in an open matted
surface whose inbound space ranges from 15’x15’ to 20’x20’. Single stick fighting and
double stick fighting contests will be conducted in a round robin tournament format. All
matches will be scored by judges using a 10-point must system. Divisions of these contests
will be based on weight, age, gender, rank and martial arts experience level.
Pairings and format
The tournament format will at the discretion of tournament officials. In adult
divisions, we will try as much as possible to form pairs that are within 8% of each other by
weight. Directors will combine divisions where competitors are scarce. In those cases, the
directors are authorized to adjust rules for fairness without compromising the primary
objective – to showcase martial skill and reward those that are better able to use their
weapon. Fighters will be evaluated based on accumulation of points on all matches
combined. Gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded in each division to fighters
accumulating the highest scores. If two fighters accumulate equal scores, the following will
apply:
 If the pair previously fought, precedence will be given to the fighter who achieved the
higher point total during their match.
 If the pair previously fought to a tie or never fought, then tie-breaker will be decided by best
of three, weapon only point fight. Judges will only count head shots.
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.
Corner and coaching
Fighter is required to have at least one corner person with maximum of two. Coaching
may only be done during break in the action. Corner men are not to communicate with their
fighter while action is in progress. Do not remove any equipment, until the end of the match.
Helmet may be removed between rounds.
Judging, scoring & officiating
All matches scored by 3 judges on the “10 Point Must” system prior to deductions.
Deductions will be issued by referee only. Judges may issue bonus points for exemplary
technique. Referee will ID rule infractions, issue warnings and mandatory point deductions.
Scoring is based on: Quantity of strikes, Effectiveness of Striking and Ring Generalship.
In single stick competition, disarms shall be scored as part of the match as a mandatory
point deduction. 3 disarms will result in a TKO. The 3 disarm rule may be waived at the
tournament directors discretion.
In double stick competition, a fighter will not be deducted if disarmed – the fighter will
continue to fight with one weapon until the end of the round. A fighter who loses both
weapons will automatically lose the match.
Professional conduct and etiquette of athletes, coaches and spectators
All participants are expected to exhibit professional behavior. Excessive foul language
and un-sportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated by any fighters, coaches, or spectators.
Fighters and coaches will not discuss fights with the judges or referees while tournament is
in progress.
SKILLS INVOLVE IN ARNIS

 Grip: Proper Hold of the Stick

Hold the stick one fist away from the punyo of the stick. Lose the grip with the
thumb.

 Basic Stance and Salutation

1. Handa
-Feet are positioned shoulder width apart. Stick is held in front of the body.
2. Pugay
-Place the weapon hand across the chest. Bow by bending at the waist.
3. Fighting Stance
-One foot in the front (foot the same as the weapon hand), the other foot on the rear.
-Keep feet apart, distance on one foot.
-Both knees slightly bent.
-Toes facing forward.
Weight is evenly distributed on both feet.
4. Forward Stance
-Distance of 5 steps between the feet.
-Back leg kept straight, rear foot is held at 45 degree angle.
-Keep the front knee bent.
-Weight is evenly distributed on both feet.
5. Backward Stance
-Distance of 4 steps between the feet,
-Both knees slightly bent.
-Rear foot held at a 90 degree angle.
-70% of the body weight on the rear foot while 30%is placed on the front foot.