SnakeStrike77

Yeah..that's all fine and good and all, but is there anything there that's an actual good technique, or just twirling crap? Behind the neck, figure 8's, and hand/finger rolls are good if you're going to be a baton twirler in a marching band, but have no use in the martial arts except for show. My opinion after 30+ years training in, and teaching Okinawan Kobudo anyway. I understand what you mean to a point here, and I was at the time just in the experimental stages of what I can do. Mostly a fan just watching different videos. My formal bo training didn't start until this month. Would you disagree that figure 8's are affective both offensively, and/or defensively?

Awesome topic! We also use Tiger claw, Leopard strike, but ours are the middle knuckles. (Very affective to the ribs) Snake, and Spear hands, Crane swings, and Dragon claws. Some of the not so well known like the "Heavy Hammer". All very affective, and can be applied to (in my opinion) to street use. What it may boil down too is what’s in your "street tool box" meaning what are your "go too" moves when the gi or uniform come off, and you're in jeans and a T-shirt? The other X factor that’s been stated and I agree with is circumstance, and opportunity to use said moves.

I've even just typed "bo" or "bo staff" and you get everything from simple drills and strikes to full forms and combat. If you throw a "vs." in there you get some great combat too. One of my favs looks like a very old fight. a Bo vs. Three section staff. Awesome stuff.

Hello everyone. For those of you that wear martial art shoes, or wrestling shoes for your marital arts. I’m looking to invest in the next week or so b/c my adidas are breaking quickly. I’d like to know: -What brand has worked best for you? -What style has worked best for (ie: laces or slip on. Low, mid or high top) -Brands I’ve considered: Nike Speedsweep VI, Nike Speedsweep VII Three-Quarter, Asics Matflex, and Mooto Metal Warrior Footwear Shoes, and Ringstar® Flex Martial. -Where to buy them? Im seeing mostly online this time of year. -Any other suggestions UNDER $50. I can’t find any more adidas, and puma. Maybe Im looking in the wrong spot?

LOL thats too funny b/c I hear the same thing! After the first drop I get back with it and then try harder when I should be relaxing more. Funny how that works huh? Just for a reference I use a 6' graphite tapered bo. Being 6'2" only seems to make sense.

I prefer chain on my chucks, and I am experiments with a 3 section staff that is chain. This may be weird but I like the sound of the chain..lol.

If any of the Utube Bo vids stick out let me know! The ones I've been paying close attention too are the "Martial Art Bo Staff Tech" That guy has some good tips for tricks. I too am only just starting out. Some luck with behind the neck, figure 8's, and hand/finger rolls. Good stuff!

You are most welcome. Glad I help!

So, my question is, is Quan Fa/Chuan Fa similar, just different ways to say the same thing, or two very different things? Much thanks for the info!! From what I gather In Chinese, where these characters are pronounced "quan fa" (sometimes Romanized as "chuan fa" because the Chinese-pinyin "q" actually sounds like an English "ch" sound), It is simply defined as "the law of the fist", or "fist law". I can double check with our Master but for what it's worth our rank certificates say "Ch'uan Fa".

yeah that would be cool this what i have found which does show a transition from kung fu to karate i would of thought if you reverse the roll the other way would of been more beneficial horses for courses Hello! Was there any other info for this? As we advance further in the ranks we are learning in more detail of these animals, and I would very much enjoy another reference. Much Thanks in advance!!

For me in sparring it depends on what I want to do next (trying to think 3 moves ahead) I will open hand/perry against someone who likes to throw big swinging punches from either side so I can convert into a grapple/takedown or control point. I have always hard blocked kicks with a closed fist or try to dodge/deflect all together. I’m still learning a technique where one can side step into a kick with open hands for a catch/grapple. I need to work on my speed for that though. lol

Good grief man!! That’s tough! Did you have idea that was coming?? Yes I would imagine you being a Black Belt that he would be tough on you. Then again I’ve never heard of this happening to a black belt. In our dojo it is a huge disrespect to drop our belt. At the beginning and end of each class we bow on our knees and we are then allowed to add, or remove our belt. We can’t just walk in, or out with it on. Having it on is a sign that we are there and ready to go. Nothing like learning the hard way huh??

Depending on the day Bow in Meditate Stretch Warm up Drills Sparring Open class for self practice* Some days we work harder on the drills and Sparring if there's a new tech Sensei wants to show us *We usually break up in belt groups and practice our material. If an individual is ready, he/she will be taught the next move by Sensei. Class time 90min.

Turned 32 this month

I favor my right but working on balancing. As a child I was ambidextrous. I used to start writing with my left and mid way through the page I was switch with to my right. I ultimately choose my right hand, but my left leg, is stronger, faster, and more flexible. Odd.

To me, that is just asking for trouble. That's my opinion - others might not think so. Wearing your uniform on the street and then suppose you pass a group of people that want to antagonize or in their view "challenge" you. I have to agree with you Tiger. It may very well asking for a fight. You stand out pretty easily and if someone is in the mood, or you have these "punks" that like to laugh just to see what you would do, you're paiting a target on yourself.

Thank you for the opportunity, and feedback! Off topic I've been telling other students at our dojo, and other martial artists I've met in competition, and at friendship seminars about this site. Great opportunity to talk "shop". I've enjoyed reading the topics! Thanks again to all.

Blue Belt (5th rank in our system)

I can get a little more specific too. Our “moves” are broken down into categories. One of these categories is “Animals Kempo.” (just a reference title) There is an additional required animal kempo you must be able to perform in order to advance to the next belt. For the adult class this starts at yellow belt. The actual move it self is a series of block, stikes however mimicking the movements, and/or representation of that animal. For example a “Tiger” kempo would involve the hand position of a clawed hand, and be most if not all forward movements showing aggression and tenacity. Where as say a “Leopard” kempo hand position would be a closed hand attacking with the knuckles in the middle of the fingers. It would also involve less head on movements in exchange for faster, and more off center attacks involving different footwork. I’ve found it very interesting, and that’s why I wanted to reach out to share/ask if anyone else’s style has their own unique animal based system. Thanks to all!

Hello all, and thank you for your continued interest. I hope I have added some good topics, and responses. As my title suggests I’d like to know if any of the styles you practice involve an animal style or influence. Just to get things rolling, the style I practice is strongly influence by The Tiger, The Leopard, The Snake, The Crane, and The Dragon. Just to give you a VERY short explanation: Tiger: Strength, and tenacity Leopard: Speed, and coordination Snake: Intelligence, and Deception Crane: Balance (physical, mental, and spiritual), and Focus Dragon: Removing Fear regardless of the journey, and ability to “ride the wind” There is a lot of history that we are taught into each animal however I do not have enough space to give a full explanation lol. In our style it is a requirement for each belt to learn and memorize an animal move. Very interesting information. Let me know what/how you practice, or how much participation an animal(s) influences your style. Thanks to all!!

Very interesting response sensei8. I can appreciate that in the sense of the oppt being an oppt. My curiosity in relation to your response is that when you "size up" and make your plan, how much of your size vs. the oppt size comes into play not knowing if/how that person can fight. Are you referring more to point, or street encounters? Both?

Now that I got your attention LOL. I’m just curious. Certain styles are easier to perform for certain body types, while others not so much. Some of us are being conditioned as much as we are learning the style. Some of us are in excellent form and are just learning the style. Some of us are strengthening what we’re lacking in certain area’s. Power, Speed, Balance, Flexibility, Endurance, and Precision. My questions: Have you ever tried a style, and not been able to perform well with your Height/Weight? Do you feel you Height/Weight give you an edge or disadvantage in competition for your style? (Against other styles) Do you fare better or worse against someone of equal stature? As for me. I’m one of the “big guys” in our dojo so I’d like to hear what other people my size have to say although I appreciate any feedback. I’m 6’1” 237lbs. I usually get picked to be “demo-ed on” because “big trees fall hard” LOL. Side note that I have lost and kept off 35lbs and have become much much more flexible, and increased balance, and endurance. I don’t mean to be boastful, it’s just something Im proud of..lol. I fare very well when matched against someone of = size in sparring however I have difficulty with someone smaller, and faster in our dojo. The exception being that we were challenged once by a dojo of a different style, and we won the competition. All of the practitioners that were set against me were smaller/faster however I had won going 4-1. It might not have been so much my size as it was the clash of styles? Not sure, but it made me think, and thus post this. Thanks to all.

Thanks! I’ll have to remember that. I did a post on weapon material, and I questioned getting a white wax bo for my contact verse an ash, or hardwood. I have a graphite bo for my demos.

It looked VERY interesting. Looked like maybe there a counter balance on the other end of the spear? The flexibility of it made for a very deceiving looking weapon. I wasn’t sure if that weapon was real, or just made that way for the movie given how much it flexed. In “Fearless” Jet Li’s spear had a “flex” to it unlike the European’s spear, but it clearly did not bend the way Sky’s spear does in Hero. Very cool! Thanks for the input!

Traymond, is "qiang" the name of that spear? Os is that spear training? Sorry, Im still new to all this. Where would you learn something like that?