How is Arnis different than Escrima or Kali?
These are all different names for similar systems. Kali tends to refer to pre-Spanish weapons arts. Kali often specializes in longer ranges, and has less controlling as a consequence. It also tends to have the most complex footwork systems of the three. Escrima is a variant of the word for “skirmish” in Spanish, and generally refers to post-Spanish systems. Escrima systems often times have very strong Spanish influences that came from war with the Spaniards and the subsequent Spanish occupation. Arnis is a variant of the Spanish word, “Arnes,” which refers to the harness used to hold on a breast-plate. Arnis systems lean toward single stick fighting with extensive controlling of the opponent’s weapon. Footwork also tends to be simple. • What is Modern Arnis? Modern Arnis was developed by the Presas brothers and Fred Lazo. It is a fusion of several different indigenous Filipino systems designed to provide a well-rounded martial art system. This particular flavor of Modern Arnis is that
