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Fighting with the Bo staff is a handy skill, more likely to come to your aid in a street fight than the fancier weapons. Though the actual fighting is very different from the cool looking moves from martial arts movies, it is achievable with determination, focus, and the right training.
Steps
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Find a good staff for you - or make your own .
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Get the balance. [1] X Research source You should try just swinging it in as many ways as possible for two or three days (one hour per day) To get the feel of your weapon, you need to be aggressive.Advertisement -
Start with basic moves. [2] X Research source The strike is the primary and most useful move. Practice the basic strikes, which are,diagonally towards southwest, and southeast.The 'stab' is the most useful move as it is harder to defend. Practice slowly until you perfect your moves, and then do them more quickly. As Bruce Lee said, "I don't fear the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times."
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Devise your own combos. It should come easily as you familiarize with your staff. Also, try to imagine yourself defending those combos. Add some moves which would make it harder to stop. A little twist here, a slight flick there could make a lot of difference.
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Build your fitness. Try some arm exercises which would lend your arm more strength. Add power to your strikes. Exercise daily.
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Work on your footwork. [3] X Research source More fight is in your legs than the weapon. Practice footing to add force to your blows. Move forward as you strike, and sideways as you parry. Moving backwards is almost always a disadvantage. Stay away from rotations, turning your back on your opponent, even for the fraction of a second, is not a good idea.
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Start with basic steps. The basic steps are the same as those for training by yourselves. You should be able to handle your weapon before you start sparring.
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Work together on strikes and blocks. [4] X Research source One can strike and the other can block. This is no good unless the moves are mixed up. Repeating the same move does no good but to damage your bo staff.
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Compete in speed, not in sparring. Try to see who finishes a combo faster, or who works through an obstacle course first. Learn from your partner.
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Spar together. Spar for fixed time intervals, with safety rules, and with true sportsman spirit. Remember, defense is the best attack.
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Practice. Practice daily, and train hard.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionAt what age is it best to start?Community AnswerYou can start at any age, as long as you are responsible enough not to use what you learn to hurt others.
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QuestionHow long should my Bo staff be?TheThinkingPanda ZhaoCommunity AnswerIf you are strong, about your height. If not, slightly shorter than you. However, make sure your staff is strong yet light. Oak is best.
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QuestionIs it OK to have a stick that is shorter than you?BogserkerCommunity AnswerIt depends on your purpose. If you want to practice spinning the bo staff, a shorter one is better, because you won't hit the ground so often. If you want to spar, a longer one will give you a little range advantage.
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Tips
- One you're fairly good, try practicing with different staff, of different weights and sizes. This could come in useful because a stick might be the easiest weapon to find in a street fight.Thanks
- If faced with a life or death situation, aim for the neck, and stick to the basic moves, but with as much speed as you can muster.Thanks
- Find your balance and help with your footwork by balancing with your staff and working on balancing on everyday things like a rock in your backyard.Thanks
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Warnings
- Safety comes first, take enough care not to injure yourself, or your partner.Thanks
- Consult a doctor before you begin any kind of training, as bo staff training can lead to joint injuries for some people, especially in the wrists and elbows.Thanks
- Train only in the presence of an adult, if you're not one yourself.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.blackbeltathome.com/the-complete-beginners-guide-to-bo-staff/
- ↑ https://www.blackbeltathome.com/the-complete-beginners-guide-to-bo-staff/
- ↑ https://ymaa.com/articles/2017/01/footwork-and-figure-eights-with-a-staff
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZJGIebxFZ8
- Videos provided by Kung Fu & Tai Chi Center w/ Jake Mace
About This Article
Article Summary
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Learning to fight with a Bo staff is a fun hobby and method of self-defense. When you start off, don’t worry about practicing fancy tricks. Just swing the staff however feels comfortable to you so you can learn its balance. After a few days, move onto some basic strikes. Try striking diagonally down towards your left and right. You can also stab straight in front of you with the staff. Step into each strike to add more power. When you practice parrying strikes, step to the side to help you maintain your balance. For more tips, including how to practice Bo staff fighting with a partner, read on!
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