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One of the characteristics of
Filipino martial arts is the use of weapons from the very beginning of
training. Modern Arnis is no exception. The primary weapon is the rattan
stick, called a cane or baston (baton), which varies in size, but is usually
about 28 inches (71 cm) in length. Both single and double stick techniques
are taught, with an emphasis on the former; unarmed defenses against the
stick and against bladed weapons (which the stick is sometimes taken to
represent) are also part of the curriculum.
It is said that, originally, the cane was considered sacred by
practitioners, and therefore an arnis practitioner was expected to hit his
cane at the hand or forearm of his sparring partner and not at the latter's
cane. This also had the advantage of being the preferred method in actual
combat, referred to as "defanging the snake", that is, making the opponent
drop his weapon so that he is less of a threat. However, it discouraged many
would-be practitioners who found this training too painful and
injury-inducing. The result was that the Filipino martial arts were in
danger of dying out; in many areas of the Philippines, Japanese martial arts
such as Karate and Judo were much more popular than the indigenous systems.
Remy Presas' modernization of the training method was intended to help
preserve the Filipino martial arts. He taught the method of hitting
cane-on-cane during practice, which attracted more newcomers to the art and
also allowed the art to be taught in the Philippines' school system.
"Defanging the snake" remains a principle of Modern Arnis, however, and in
practical application, one would typically strike the hand or arm. The
technique is also used empty-handed, where it is known as "limb
destruction".
Training covers empty-hand self-defense (striking, locking, throwing, etc.)
as well as the trademark single and double stick techniques of the Filipino
martial arts. Other aspects of the art include espada y daga (sword and
dagger fighting), sinawali (double stick weaving patterns), and tapi-tapi
(locking drills with the stick). In addition to partner drills, Modern Arnis
includes the use of anyo (kata), solo forms both with and without the stick.
Emphasis is placed on fitting the art in with a student's previous training
("the art within your art"), smoothly reacting to changing situations in the
fight ("the flow"), and countering the opponent's attempt to counter strikes
directed at him ("tapi-tapi"). Practitioners are called arnisadors or Modern
Arnis players. |
