Arnis

Arnis Pederasyong Internasyonal, Inc. or (“i-Arnis”) have prepared these rules and regulations as a standard in the conduct of Local, National, and International tournaments in Arnis Sport. In 2015, these rules were first presented and approved by the i-Arnis Board of Directors. 

Basic Rules

• Arnis is a combative sport played by two individuals in a court measuring 26.24 Feet (8 meters) into 26.24 Feet (8 meters), with a smooth and clean surface. 
• Players are paired / matched according to the division of weight categories.
• The minimum temperature for an outdoor competition shall not be below 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) and for indoor competition; the temperature should not be above 25 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Lighting apparatus is located above the free space.
• Before the game starts, players must be positioned in the playing area so that the red-coded player is on the right side of the referee and the blue-coded player is on the left side.

Participants

1. Compositions

 MEN's team may consist of a maximum of eleven players, one player per weight division, one coach, one trainer, one medical doctor and two officiating Review Judges (“RJs”) licensed by i-ARNIS. (Same composition for WOMEN's team, BOY's team and GIRL's team)

2. Qualifications:

• The players shall meet the requirements of the weight division in which they are to compete.

• The player should be physically and mentally fit to compete and submit the medical certification with the tournament form.
• A sex test may also occur if a player's identity (Real Sex) is in doubt.
• Drug tests may also take place if in doubt.

Competition Rules

1. World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (“WEKAF”) System

• The participants wear padded vests with skirts and sleeves and headgear that resemble the one used in Kendo.
• Participants are forbidden to hit their opponents below the thigh.
• According to the "Four-Second Rule" implemented in the system, no points are awarded if the same strike is repeated more than twice in succession.
• On violating any rule, the officials warn the participants and can be disqualified if they continue violating the format despite two warnings.​

2. Arnis Philippines System (“ARPI”) System

• In this system, participants fight with a lightly padded stick that flexes hard impact.
• Headgears can be used for protection and hitting in the back of the head is strictly prohibited as the headgear is open from behind.
• A large groin guard is required for male participants.
• The fights are observed by multiple judges stationed at various positions to observe if the matches are going fair.
• The loudness of the impact determines the strike strength.
• Thrusts to the body help to gain points but are harder to perform.
• Punches, kicks and throws are prohibited, along with sticks' direct hit on the face.
• Disarms must be performed clearly and quickly.

Fouls

• Striking or thrusting to the groin.
• Blocking with the use of the arm.
• Striking or thrusting using both hands.
• Any act of pushing hand, head, body, legs, arm, stick and other similar movements.
• If a player steps out of the playing area.
• Hitting a player at the back area (from the back of the head to the buttocks) is considered foul unless the opponent intentionally turns his back.
• If a player delays the game for more than ten (10) seconds.
• If a player hits multiple strikes or thrusts to one body part.
• When the command of ‘hinto’ (stop) or ‘hiwalay’ (separate), any player who attacks shall be given foul, but if the command and the attack fall at the same time then this would not be considered as a foul.
• A player who commits foul is given F1, F2, and F3, as per the case mentioned in the scoreboard.
• When a player commits three (3) fouls, then the player is declared the loser by the referee for that particular round.