Parts of the Arnis sticks and its uses
We will now examine the parts of an Arnis stick and compare it with its bladed counterparts such as bolo, parangs or long bladed swords. Aside from the bladed weapons being pointed at the tip and has sharp edges, there is not much of a difference on how the both long bladed weapons and sticks can be used. In fact, I always tell my students to visualize the stick as a bladed weapon when practicing both striking and blocking techniques. Knowing where the cutting side and blunt side of a weapon and applying it to the stick as if it was a bladed weapon will also contribute to develop proper striking and blocking form.
1. Arnis Stick Head- the head can be used for thrusting and striking. Like blades that has a pointed head that can pierce through, the sticks
concentrates the force of the thrust to a small area giving it the same piercing effect although it does not really pierce through.
The stick head is also the ideal part that is used for striking, due to the law of potential energy, when a strike is delivered most of the potential energy is concentrated at the end of the stick (which is the head of the stick) therefore impact is greater as opposed to hitting with the body of the stick.
2. Arnis Stick Body- for bladed weapons, the body of the sword will be either the edged side, blunt side or flat side. The stick does not possess this kind of characteristics as it is round and blunt. However, the stick body has many uses this includes blocking. The body is used to block a strike or counter either by clashing against the strike or by deflecting the strike. The body of the stick can also be used for locking the hands, the elbow and the shoulder, locking using the stick mostly effective when it is leveraged against a joint or a pressure area.
Another use of the stick body is chocking. Chocking with the stick can be more effective
than chocking with the forehand, this is because the forehand still has a fleshy part while the stick is a hard material that can immediately induce pain when pressed against the neck area.
Other uses of the stick body can be for throwing and clinching the opponent.
3. Arnis Stick Butt - the butt of an Arnis stick is an interesting part of the stick, because as small as it is, it can do damage when used effectively. I recommend utmost 2 inches distance from the tip of the butt to the tip of the hands, anymore length will get in the way and lessen your reach.
The butt of the stick can be used in butt strikes which are usually done to eye and face area on the head area, while on the body, the butt strike is delivered in the ribs and solar plexus area. In the lower body area, butting is usually done to the groin area. Other uses of the stick butt is to parry or clearing tool, as grabbing or pulling tool, for disarming and to apply pressure to a vital pressure point.
On part 3 of this series, we will be discussing the types of Arnis sticks that can be used for stretching and power generation, for drills and techniques development, and for demonstration and competition.