Staff Fighting Techniques<p>A downward thrust is a basic technique you can use after you have knocked an opponent to the ground. To execute a downward thrust, hold the bo staff in a standard grip. Raise your right hand and lower your left hand so that the

Basic Staff Fighting Techniques

The possibility that the name derives from the way the staff is held, the right hand grasping it one-quarter of the distance from the lower end, is suggested in Encyclopædia Britannica.[4] While this interpretation may have given rise to such positions in 19th-century manuals, it probably arose by popular etymology. The Oxford English Dictionary, in support of its explanation of the "quarter" in origin referring to the way the staff was made, points to an early attestation of the term, dated to 1590, Plodding through Aldersgate, all armed as I was, with a quarter Ashe staffe on my shoulder.

Staff Fighting Classes

PRACTICE  BOTH SINGLE AND DOUBLE STICK DRILLS  The only real way to improve your stick combat skills is to regularly engage in a variety of different drills. These exercises can be performed with either one or two rattan sticks at the same time. That's right! Two sticks at the same time (also know as double stick training).

Aikido Bo Staff Techniques

"So yes, there probably was a time when monks were encouraged to use their humbled wooden instruments as a first and stolid line of defense. In the case of Shaolin there are many legends and much silliness about the Temple and its denizens. But one thing often admitted through the centuries is that the wooden weapon work of the Temple was at times of a very high caliber. It might have been the best in the world for its era. This is not unexpected. Quite often Wushu styles find a certain weapon that most perfectly characterizes their brand of skill. Pi Gua is famous for its saber work. Ba Ji for its spear. Praying Mantis loves the two-handed straight sword. Shaolin at one time boasted an astounding 200 stick sets. And that's quite possibly true considering the amount of information coming into the Temple.  These wooden weapons varied greatly. Some were eight feet or more up to 12 feet. Many were the famous "eyebrow" length. Then there were short sticks often called whips or cudgels. And, of course, there were canes.  Basically, the Da Mo Cane - the most famous cane set from the Temple - utilizes a square necked instrument. (There are actually a number of sets all claiming to be called after DaMo the Buddhist founder ) The other significant variation of the Shaolin Cane is its curve necked brother. There are many types: Dragon Cane, Iron Cane, but the curved and the straight are the major designations. The Shaolin Cane we present does not distinguish between the two but can easily use either version." -  The Cane of Shaolin.  By Ted Mancuso. 

A basic sweep is performed similarly to a reverse strike. To perform a sweep, start in the same position that you ended up in on the reverse strike. One end of the bo staff should be under your armpit and the other end should be pointed straight out in front of you. Move the striking end of the bo staff toward your opponent’s ankles on the right side of his body. Quickly pivot your hips to the right as you sweep your opponent’s legs out from underneath him.

Aikido Bo Staff Techniques

The Shaolin Cane: The Wooden Weapon of Kung Fu.  Instruction by Ted Mancuso.  Instructional DVD, 60 minutes.  Plum Publications, Santa Cruz, California, � 2005.  "In this presentation by Ted Mancuso, he utilizes a traditional Shaolin cane set taught to him by one of his teachers, Lam Kwong Wing, to explore the very nature of weapons work. Introductory remarks bring new points to light about the usefulness of weapons work especially, with simple, easily available instruments. Among the topics covered, Mr. Mancuso discusses and demonstrates:  Basic strikes and their applicability to all weapons.  Grips and the "flexible hand" concept.  The traditional Northern Shaolin Boxing Cane form.  In-depth stepwise breakdowns of each section of this fast and mobile form.  Examples of applications, including running commentary explaining more than just the movements but the reasoning behind cane defenses.  According to this teacher, "Over the years students have come to me and say, - I'd like to learn the cane from you. When I ask why they always say something like, - For my father. He's getting old. At that point I have to explain to them that this is one of the most dynamic weapons sets in the entire Shaolin arsenal. After all, if you think about it handing a simple stick to a Kung Fu artists who can do sword, spear, whip and dagger is just like saying "anything goes." This is definitely not your grandfather's cane form."  In this instructional DVD, the lineage of this particular Shaolin Cane form is given as:  Ted Mancuso was taught by Lam Kwong Wing,  who was taught by Yim Shang Mo, who was taught by Gu Ru Shang,  who was taught by Yan Gi Wen, who was taught by Yan Di Gong, who was taught by Wang Bang Cai, who was taught by Gan Feng Chi, who was taught by Monk Zhao Yuan He Shang.  Read the short essay by Ted Mancuso on The Shaolin Cane.   VSCL.   

The rising block is a basic technique used to defend against an overhead attack. To execute this block, hold the bo staff in a standard grip. Grab the staff so that your hands divide it into three equal sections. Your right palm should face up and your left palm should face down. To block, keep the weapon parallel to the floor and raise it above your head. The rising block can defend against a stick or sword strike aimed at your head. Make sure you block your opponent’s weapon with the middle section of your staff.

Staff Fighting Techniques

A downward thrust is a basic technique you can use after you have knocked an opponent to the ground. To execute a downward thrust, hold the bo staff in a standard grip. Raise your right hand and lower your left hand so that the staff is tilted at about a 45-degree angle. Extend your right arm and bring your left hand across your chest. Forcefully thrust the low end of the staff downward at your opponent.

Now, I'm the first to state it's highly unlikely that you will be faced with a situation where you will fight a criminal adversary with two sticks in your hands. Perhaps in a Rambo movie but not in a real world self defense situation. So why is it important to practice fighting with two sticks (also called double stick training) at the same time? Well, the following list will show you just how beneficial it can be for the aspiring martial artists and self defense technician.