How to Disarm Arnis for Beginners
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Disarma — Disarm·Maslee Official Vlog
Disarma — Disarm
SubFamilyディサルマ・武器取り(Disaruma / Buki-tori)
HybridTranslation: disarma — disarm
Overview
The Disarma (Disarm) subfamily covers techniques designed to strip the weapon from the opponent's hand through leverage, joint manipulation, trapping, or impact to the weapon hand. [1] Disarming is a highly developed speciality of Filipino martial arts — the arts contain dozens of disarming techniques for each angle of attack, reflecting centuries of development in an environment where taking an opponent's weapon provided decisive tactical advantage. [1],[2] Disarming techniques include vine disarms (snaking the stick around the opponent's weapon hand), strip disarms (levering the weapon free), and impact disarms (striking the hand or wrist to force release). [2],[3]
History & Origin
Disarming techniques are among the most prized skills in Filipino martial arts, developed through centuries of weapon combat where removing an opponent's weapon effectively ended the fight. [1] The depth and variety of disarming methods in Filipino martial arts is unmatched in any other weapon-based fighting system. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
FMA disarms strip the weapon from the opponent's hand using leverage, joint manipulation, or striking techniques, rendering the opponent unarmed. [1]
Lineage
Disarming techniques are a distinctive feature of FMA, developed as practical responses to weapon-based combat in the Philippines. [1]
Competition Record
Disarms are demonstrated at FMA events and seminars, and are practised as a separate skill set within FMA training. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Striking, blocking, or thrusting with a long rigid weapon — the staff's length creates leverage and reach advantage
Joints Involved — Both hands (sliding and rotating grip positions), wrists (snap for strikes), hips (rotation for power)
Force Vector — The rear hand pushes while the lead hand acts as fulcrum — staff rotation generates speed at the striking tip
Weapon Mechanic — The staff can be used from either end and at any range — versatility from long-range strikes to short-range blocks
Position & Entry
From fighting stance (stick in hand) — Hold the stick in the dominant hand, establish range, execute angles of attack (numbered striking patterns)
As counter (after block) — Block the opponent's strike with the stick, counter-strike to the exposed target immediately
From double-stick position — Coordinate both sticks — one attacks while the other covers or follows up
Videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Arnis/Escrima/Kali stick and blade techniques; designed for close-range lethality
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
WEKAF — Legal in padded stick competition {srcHEMA — Legal in applicable weapon categories {src
Training Notes
✓Disarma (disarming) is a core component of Filipino martial arts — taking the opponent's weapon through leverage, strips, and mechanical manipulation (Wiley, Filipino Martial Culture, 1997)
✓FMA disarms exploit the mechanics of the grip: the thumb is the weakest link in any grip, and most disarms work against the thumb
✓Disarming techniques follow the block-check-disarm sequence: block the incoming strike, check the weapon arm, then apply the disarm
✓The snake disarm (vine disarm) wraps the stick around the opponent's weapon and wrist, using leverage to peel the weapon from the grip
✓Strip disarms use a sharp pulling motion against the thumb side of the opponent's grip — speed matters more than strength
✓FMA disarms work with any weapon: the same mechanical principles apply to sticks, blades, and improvised weapons
✓Training disarms develops an understanding of grip vulnerability — this awareness improves your own grip and weapon retention
Common Mistakes
!Attempting disarms without controlling the weapon arm first — the check is essential; disarming without control risks being struck
!Using strength instead of leverage — disarms work through mechanical advantage, not brute force
!Practising disarms only statically — realistic disarming requires training from live strikes, not cooperative static positions
!Not following through after the disarm — taking the weapon is not enough; immediately follow with a counter-strike or control
!Attempting disarms at the wrong range — disarms work at close range; don't reach for them from striking distance
!Ignoring weapon retention training — if you can disarm, you can be disarmed; train to prevent disarms as well
!Trying the same disarm repeatedly — if a disarm fails, transition to a different technique rather than forcing it
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Grip and Stance — hold the weapon in the correct grip with a balanced stance
2Chamber — draw the weapon back to generate striking power
3Strike — deliver the blow along the correct angle of attack
4Recovery — return to guard position and prepare for the next action
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Filipino Martial Arts (Dan Inosanto, 1980)
1BookFilipino Martial Arts (Inosanto, 1980)
Alias sources — [1] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1994) [2] The Filipino Martial Arts (Inosanto, 1980)
2BookEskrima (Presas, 1983)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1997)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationFilipino Martial Arts (Inosanto, 1980)
Alias sources — [1] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1994) [2] The Filipino Martial Arts (Inosanto, 1980)
5CitationEskrima (Presas, 1983)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1997)
Community
Athletics
Requires
wrist speed, hand coordination (especially double stick), cardiovascular endurance
Favours
quick hands, conditioned forearms, coordination
Key muscles
forearms, wrists, shoulders, core rotators
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Disarma — Disarm work?
The Disarma (Disarm) subfamily covers techniques designed to strip the weapon from the opponent's hand through leverage, joint manipulation, trapping, or impact to the weapon hand. Disarming is a highly developed speciality of Filipino martial arts — the arts contain dozens of disarming techniques for each angle of attack, reflecting centuries of development in an environment where taking an opponent's weapon provided decisive tactical advantage.
Where does the Disarma — Disarm come from?
Disarming techniques are among the most prized skills in Filipino martial arts, developed through centuries of weapon combat where removing an opponent's weapon effectively ended the fight. The depth and variety of disarming methods in Filipino martial arts is unmatched in any other weapon-based fighting system.
Is the Disarma — Disarm legal in competition?
WEKAF: legal — Legal in padded stick competition; HEMA: legal — Legal in applicable weapon categories
How dangerous is the Disarma — Disarm?
Danger rating 8/10. Very High — Arnis/Escrima/Kali stick and blade techniques; designed for close-range lethality
How do I set up the Disarma — Disarm?
The standard setup chain: Grip and Stance → Chamber → Strike → Recovery.
How do I defend against the Disarma — Disarm?
Standard counters include: Umbrella Block — raise the stick overhead to intercept a downward strike / Cross Block — meet the incoming strike with a perpendicular block / Disarm — strip the opponent's weapon through leverage on the hand or wrist.
What are the variants of the Disarma — Disarm?
Common variants: Angle 1 (forehand diagonal) (downward diagonal strike from the dominant side); Angle 2 (backhand diagonal) (downward diagonal strike from the off side); Angle 5 (thrust) (straight thrust with the tip of the stick); Redonda (continuous) (flowing circular strikes chaining multiple angles).
How effective is the Disarma — Disarm in competition?
Disarms are demonstrated at FMA events and seminars, and are practised as a separate skill set within FMA training.
What are common mistakes when doing the Disarma — Disarm?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting disarms without controlling the weapon arm first — the check is essential; disarming without control risks… / Using strength instead of leverage — disarms work through mechanical advantage, not brute force / Practising disarms only statically — realistic disarming requires training from live strikes, not cooperative static … / Not following through after the disarm — taking the weapon is not enough; immediately follow with a counter-strike or….
What are other names for the Disarma — Disarm?
The Disarma — Disarm is also known as Disaruma / Buki-tori, Disarma, Quitar, Eskrima Disarm, Arnis Disarm.