Eskrima

Note: This answer is bulked out by an an FAQ compiled by Bill Cox and Ray Terry of The Martial Arts Resource online.
Spelling: The word "Eskrima" is the same as "Escrima". Eskrima is generally accepted as the older spelling.

When referring to a style of fighting broadly known as the Filipino Martial Arts, what are the differences between Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali ?

Basically, there is no difference. The general martial arts community uses the different names to refer to the same art. Originally, the difference in the name either implied the region from which the art originated or the time period when the art was developed. These three names, and there are many others, refer to Filipino Martial Arts where skills in both empty hand and weapons are developed using similar, if not the same, training methods to teach both. Practitioners of these arts are noted for their ability to fight with weapons or empty hands interchangeably.

Eskrima and Arnis are the names primarily used in the Philippines today. The name Kali is seldom used in the Philippines and in most cases is an unknown word.

External link

• Bill Cox and Ray Terry, The Martial Arts Resource http://www.martialartsresource.com