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There are two main types of Arnis practised as a sport. The most common system used internationally is that of the WEKAF ([[World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation]]), established 1989. The earlier Arnis Philippines<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arnisphilippines.com/|title=Arnis Philippines – HOME|website=Arnisphilippines.com|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703130445/http://www.arnisphilippines.com/|archive-date=July 3, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> (ARPI) system, established in 1986, was most prominently used during the [[Arnis at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games|2005 Southeast Asian Games]].
===WEKAF===
The WEKAF system works on a [[10-point must system]] similar to boxing where participants spar with live sticks while wearing a long padded vest with skirt and sleeves and a helmet similar to [[Kendo]] headgear. Hitting below the thigh is prohibited. This format has sometimes been criticized because it emphasizes a heavy offense at the expense of defensive techniques sometimes with players raining blows on each other without defending, giving rise to the impression that combatants are merely hitting each other in a disorganized way. This has been tackled by introducing a "four second rule"{{clarify|date=November 2017}}, to prevent constant and unrealistic attacks, and judges do not to score the same strike if the fighter uses it more than twice in succession. Judges warn fighters and remove points if they continue after two warnings. However, fights can easily come down to an unrealistic attack from an unskilled fighter who impresses judges with many body hits after taking two or three clear, strong hits to the hands and head.
This is, to some, an antithesis to traditional training methods, where training in footwork and arm/weapon movements are intricate and precise and any part of an opponent's body is fair game. As a consequence, WEKAF tournaments may be seen as not promoting the original art. Moreover, participants have been known to suffer broken bones and injured tendons due to the fact that live sticks are used, so the older system is considered more 'hardcore' and less safe. Another complaint about the WEKAF system is that it uses the [[10-point must system]], which is more subjective depending on who is judging.
Since the WEKAF system is more risky, it is preferred by many practitioners who want to test themselves. The WEKAF system is the most widely used format internationally
===ARPI===
[[Image:Arnis Tournament Safety Equipment.png|thumb|left|300px|Safety equipment used in Arnis tournaments with padded vests, sticks, headgear and groin guards]]
Arnis competitions uses foam-padded sticks about an inch in diameter with thin rattan cores roughly a centimeter in diameter. These sticks are meant to break before serious injury occurs. For protection, the same headgear used in the WEKAF system, and a large groin guard is required for males. Vests (optional for men, required for women), optional armguards, shinguards and leg wraps are used. Scoring is more similar to fencing where fighters are separated after solid clean hits are made (observed by multiple judges stationed at different positions to observe if hits were clean and unblocked, and determine the strength of the strike by the loudness of the impact). Alternative ways to score are to disarm one's opponent or to force him to step outside the ring.
Any part of the body, from head to toe, is fair game as a target – except for the back of the head, which the headgear does not protect. Stabs to the face are not allowed, because the thin rattan core may penetrate the padding and slip through the grills of the headgear into the player's eye. Thrusts to the body score points, but are harder to present to judges for scoring because they make less noise and it is difficult to determine impact.
Punches, kicks and throws are not allowed. Prolonged clinching to prevent the opponent from striking is not allowed (similar to Western Boxing) to keep the game moving and more interesting for audience that may not appreciate the fine and practical aspects of grappling. Disarms must be performed quickly and cleanly to count. Because the legs are fair targets, in lighter weight divisions, complex evasion and deep lunges where players lie horizontal with the torso almost touching the floor to extend reach are often seen.
The emphasis of the ARPI system is on player safety, as proponents are applying to become a recognized Olympic sport like [[judo]], [[karate]], [[taekwondo]], [[wrestling]], [[boxing]], and [[fencing]].
Even though padded sticks are used in the sport, players regularly retain large bruises that last for weeks and sometimes minor injuries to joints and because of the sheer amount of force generated by conditioned practitioners. Sometimes the stuffing commonly comes off from the harder hitting players and one cause of injury is when a player is struck by the exposed rattan core. Still, these are relatively minor as compared to injuries sustained when practitioners spar with live sticks.
One major problem with the ARPI system is that because the padded sticks with light rattan cores are used, they tend to flex and "lag", thus making the experience significantly different from using a live stick and in that sense, lessens the "realism" of this system. This is acceptable though as again, the emphasis is on safety.
Like the sayaw (meaning "dance") in the WEKAF system, the ARPI system has a separate single and team choreographed division called ''Anyo'' (Tagalog for 'forms'). Aside from the visual appeal, practical combative applications must be clearly seen so as to avoid looking like just [[Majorette (dancer)|majorettes]] in marching bands who just twirl batons and dance (a concept similar to the ''Floreio'' ("flourish") aspect of [[Capoeira]] and to [[Tricking (martial arts)|Tricking]] which are more for show than practicality).
IMAFP Standard Equipment is being used in the international Arena.
===Others===
In another variation that simulates knife fights, competitors use false blades edged with lipstick to mark where an opponent has been struck. These matches are considered more similar to traditional duels than the WEKAF point-system.
==Weapons==
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