Individual Sports: Arnis

Physical Education 3

Module 3
The Sinawali

This module will discuss and present the origin and types of sinawali as well as
the proper execution of single and double sinawali. Steps and Strike patterns for arnis’
single and double sinawali will also be tackled in this module.

At the end of this module students will be able to:

1. differentiated single sinawali (stick) with double sinawali (stick);
2. executed Single Sinawali (Stick); and
3. demonstrated Double Sinawali (Stick);

INTRODUCTION

Sinawali are weaving motions made with two sticks in Arnis that are practiced in
precise, prescribed motions to familiarize the student with the method of stick fighting,
both in free sparring and with blades.
There are three basic types of sinawali in Arnis: the
single sinawali, the double sinawali and the reverse
sinawali. All employ two sticks (or two hands) and
can be practiced with a partner. Both partners
employ the same motions, up and down, left to right,

https://stickfightingsport.com/kali/
at the same time. As you practice each sinawali, you
should make firm contact with your partner's cane or stick, and not be afraid to make
some honest noise. Your wrists, forearms and shoulders will soon feel new dexterity as
you practice sinawali over and over. It is both a fine exercise for the upper body and
arms as well as good programming for learning to defend against another's stick or
blade.
The sinawali are also taught without the sticks, in empty hand fashion, to
illustrate how the sinawali motions can be easily translated for empty hand defense. The
weaponless defender can use the sinawali motion to fend off an attacker who is armed
with a cane or blade.

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 Individual Sports: Arnis
Physical Education 3

SINGLE SINAWALI (STICKS) STRIKE PATTERN

In Single sinawali, the right hand strikes a high forehand and then a low
backhand, and then the left hand does the same. This would be mapped out as:
Single Sinawali (Right Side) Single Sinawali (Left Side)
1R 1L

2R 2L

STRIKE PATTERN

Ready Position
Your right hand is held high near your right ear,
and your left arm is bent so that your forearm is
parallel to the ground and your left palm is near
your waist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrbpxpzB70Q

First Strike
Draw your right stick back toward the right side of
your body and execute a forehand strike to your
opponent’s left temple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrbpxpzB70Q

Second Strike
Draw your left stick back counterclockwise to the
back of your head and execute a backhand strike
using your right stick to your opponent’s right knee,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrbpxpzB70Q

Third Strike
Draw your right stick back toward the left side of your
body and execute a forehand strike using your left stick
to your opponent’s right temple.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrbpxpzB70Q

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 Individual Sports: Arnis
Physical Education 3

Fourth Strike
Draw your left stick back clockwise to the back of
your head and execute a backhand strike to your
opponent’s left knee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrbpxpzB70Q

Then repeat the sequence again.

DOUBLE SINAWALI (STICKS)

Whereas in the Single Sinawali one hand does each side, in the Double Sinawali
the hands alternate. First the right hand strikes a high forehand, then the left hand
strikes a low backhand, then the right hand hits a high backhand to complete the right
hand side of the sinawali. Then the mirror image left hand side is performed to
complete one cycle of Double Sinawali. This would be mapped out as:
Double Sinawali (Right Side) Double Sinawali (Left Side)
1R 3R 3L 1L

2L 2R

STRIKE PATTERN

Ready Position
Your right hand is held high near your right ear, and
your left arm is bent so that your forearm is parallel
to the ground and your left palm is near your waist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LpKjNA1OUk

First Strike
Draw your left stick back toward the right side of
your body and execute a forehand strike using your
right stick to your opponent’s left temple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LpKjNA1OUk

Second Strike

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LpKjNA1OUk
 Individual Sports: Arnis
Physical Education 3

Draw your right stick to the back of your head and execute a backhand downward
strike using your left stick to your opponent’s left knee.

Third Strike
Draw your Left stick to the back of your head and
execute a backhand strike using your right stick
hitting your opponent’s right temple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LpKjNA1OUk

Fourth Strike
Draw your right stick counterclockwise to the left
side of your body and execute a forehand strike to
your opponent’s right temple
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LpKjNA1OUk

Fifth Strike
Draw your left stick to the back of your head and
execute a downward backhand strike using your left
stick targeting your opponent’s right knee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LpKjNA1OUk

Sixth Strike
Draw your right stick to the back of your head and
execute a backhand strike using your left stick
hitting your opponent’s left temple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LpKjNA1OUk

Then repeat the sequence again.

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 Individual Sports: Arnis
Physical Education 3

REFERENCE

Apalin, R.R. D., & Balmores, T.M. Arnisppt. Retrieved June 14, 2021, from
https://www.slideshare.net/RendellApalin/arnis-ppt

Alvarez, M.N., Erpelo, R.N., Victorio, R.M., & Capundang, M.G (2010). Physical Education:
individual/dual sport. Mandaluyong City: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.

Presas, R.(1983). Modern arnis: the Filipino arts of stick fighting Retrieved June 15, 2021,
from
https://www.pdfdrive.com/modern-arnis-the-filipino-art-of-stick-fighting-
e160045908.html

Steemit (2019). 12 striking techniques in arnis. Retrieved June 14, 2021, from
https://steemit.com/sportstalk/@khalee/12-striking-techniques-in-arnis

Pete Kautz (2004) Sinawali Mapping Retrieved June 14, 2021, from
http://alliancemartialarts.com/sinawalimap