Lesson 4: Fundamental Skills

• Grip

  • is the act or way of holding stick, swords or espada and knife or dagger.
• TWO INCHES FROM THE LINE - Hold the arnis stick about 1-2 inches from the butt of arnis stick/punyo.
• NO EXTENSION FROM THE BUTT OF THE ARNIS/PUNYO - Hold the Arnis stick in butt/punyo.
• SIX INCHES FROM THE BUTT OF ARNIS/PUNYO - Hold the Arnis

  stick about six inches from the butt of arnis/punyo.
• CENTER OR MIDDLE GRIP - Hold the middle portion of the stick.
• SALUDO - Saludo or Salutation is a way to give courtesy or is

  a sign of true gentleman. It begins with handa position followed by pugay.
• PROCEDURE FOR HANDA POSITION

  •Feet are parallel apart, aligned with shoulder.

  •Stick is positioned in front of the body by holding the sticks on both sides.
• PROCEDURE FOR PUGAY

  • Position or lift the weapon hand across the chest wherein the butt/punyo is resting on the chest, while the feet is at 45 degree angle.
• PROCEDURE FOR BOWING

  • Take a bow together with the sparring mate or opponent then, proceed back to the original position.
• STANCES - Arnis stance is the combination of foot orientation and the distribution of the body. It also involves the position of your legs and torso, whether you are attacking, defending, retreating or advancing.
• POSTURE - the position in which someone holds their body when standing or sitting.
• READY STANCE - This stance is commonly used when standing during tournament or training.
• INSTRUCTION (READY STANCE)

  • Stand with feet apart, parallel to the shoulder. Toes are pointing forward.
  • Hands on waist level holding the sticks on both sides.
• ATTENTION STANCE

  • This stance is used is preparation for courtesy or in taking a bow to the sparing mate or opponents.
• INSTRUCTION (ATTENTION STANCE)

  • Stand with feet forming 45 degree angle.
  • Hands at the side and relaxed.
• STRADDLE LEG STANCE

  • This stance is commonly applied for blocking and strikes to the side of the body.
• INSTRUCTION (STRADDLE LEG STANCE)

  • Step or spread legs about twice the width of the shoulders.
  • Weight must be distributed evenly on the both legs.
• FORWARD STANCE

  • This stance is utilized with frontal striking or blocking techniques.
• INSTRUCTION (FORWARD STANCE)

  • Step on leg forward either right of left leg. Leg must be at a distance about the twice the width of the shoulder.
  • Front leg should be bending and the rear leg
• BACK STANCE - This stance is used for blocking and backward evasion techniques.
• INSTRUCTION (BACK STANCE)

  • Step with one leg leaning backward, with the rear leg or knee a little bent.
  • The heels of the foot should form L-shaped position.
  • Back stance can be either right foot lead or left foot lead
• OBLIQUE STANCE - This stance is applicable for forward blocking and evasion technique.
• INSTRUCTION (OBLIQUE STANCE)

  • This stance is executed by stepping either the left or right foot obliquely forward.
  • The L-shaped position of the feet should be maintained.
• SIDE STANCE - This stance is commonly used for strike deflection and evasion technique.
• INSTRUCTION (SIDE STANCE)

  • Starting with the ready stance, move one foot about two feet (2’) to the left or right direction.

  • Moving foot will be perpendicular to the ground while the other leg is extended thereby creating a position like that of a side kick.