Vicente: Arnis Trivia: Labanan and Anyo

IF WE are familiar with karate-do’s kumite and kata or sparring and forms, we can relate on today’s topic in our ongoing Arnis Trivia.

In this issue, we will dig deeper into what Arnis Labanan and Anyo but before we do that, let be known that just like karate, Labanan or full contact sparring and anyo or creative forms is their counterpart.

Labanan or full contact sparring in Arnis uses full gear protection from head to legs and a padded stick to strike and gain a point. Although there are a few versions of rules used in competitions, the adaptation of its combative application the continuous strikes against an opponent is the most reflective of the arts characteristics.

Arnis in training and in practice looks far from safe and is a bit scary and intimidating for most first timers frightened to get hit by the hard sounding sticks, hence, the crafting of the padded stick system that is used in sports, it started with just head gear, groin guard, incomplete leg guards sometimes none, incomplete arm guards sometimes none and inconsistent standard weight and sizes of padded stick until it evolved into a more standard and safe complete protective gears used in competitions.

But generally, the sport is refining with suppliers finding and discovering ways to improve the gears with the help of people who actually uses them hoping to come close to perfection in terms of safety, durability, and affordability that conforms to international standard.

The rules in Labanan has gone through many revisions to adapt the safest and most comprehensive adaptation of its martial arts aspect without taking away the integrity of its martial arts side.

Anyo/ Likha Anyo or creative forms in Arnis are sets of pre-arranged techniques and movements of the art that is depicted in a flow showcasing the fusion of skills that requires expertise of rhythm, timing, agility and the essence or applicability in combat.

Anyo is mostly creative and none standard, compared to karatedo and other Martial Arts where in forms are known or standard, making judgment in competition as performance based.

Labanan and Anyo in Arnis competition is undoubtedly a work in progress. Meaning it still can be improved in many ways.

Labanan score or point system and coming up with standard Anyo from fundamentals to advance and making sure all styles from the different regions could be represented are such challenging feat due to the diversity of styles and people involved but if the only thing that could bind or unite everyone could thrive the feat could be met. Love for the Art.

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