Bo staff

[DD]

Hey guys,

 

My karate class is moving to a new building soon and my sensei will be starting to teach weapons classes. I will probably be taking the bo staff classes. Could one of you guys tell me some of the basic attacks, blocks, and stances of the bo staff? Thanks

[Drunken Monkey]

...that's what the class is for....

[Budderfly]

Agreed. It's hard to explain the techniques over a forum.

[Shorinryu Sensei]

...that's what the class is for....

Agreed. Be patient, your in for a lot of fun.

[Shorin Ryuu]

No problem. Just jump high in the air and twirl your bo with one hand. It helps if your bo glows in the dark. Oh, and while you are at it, play some loud music in the background...

 

Or you can follow the advice of everyone and learn real bo technique and theory in class...

 

It does get fun, especially when you learn the advanced grappling applications with it.

[Kicks]

Bo isn't taught much at the school I attend one or two forms and some Hapkido self defense techniques. However I am interested in learning more.

 

Can someone comment on how to select the right Bo to purchase for self defense practice and for competition/demostrations.

 

Thanks.

[Shorin Ryuu]

Traditional Okinawan bo have tapers on the end to decrease the surface area when the tip is used to strike the opponent (which eventually should become almost all the time). I'm a fan of this kind of bo because I take Okinawan kobudo and it makes a lot of sense to me logically. I would use this kind in self-defense practice. I prefer purpleheart wood, simply because it is a high-quality wood that improves with age, just like fine wine. This wood is pretty expensive though.

 

For competition, I personally would use this same bo, as I'm sure judges would be looking more for proper technique, and it would be something I would be used to. I'm just not a big competition person anyway, so I haven't even participated in traditional competitions, even purely kata competitions. I've watched some, but never done them (but have talked a bit with judges, since I was never the one performing).

 

That being said...if your judges look for flash, get a lighter, thinner bo (um, aluminum, plastic, whatever I guess) since it is easier to twirl. I am not a fan of this, but you might be so it is your call. Get something with "pizazz" if that is your thing.

 

If you want flash but can't bring yourself to use something other than wood, than ash is a pretty light wood that is still pretty stable and I would recommend that.

 

For demonstration, just keep in mind your audience. If you are doing a demonstration with the sole purpose of looking flashy, use the bo with pizazz. If you are trying to show people legitimate self defense, use the tapered one. The tapered one isn't completly necessary, it is just what I prefer personally for self-defense.

[Kicks]

Shorin Ryuu,

 

Thank you. The time time you put in to that reply is greatly appreciated. Looks like I'm an ash (no pun intended).

[SaiFightsMS]

My version of lesson one starts: This is a bo, not a bo staff. Bo is the japanese word for long staff. You do not say car car or key key so you do not say bo staff.

[CloudDragon]

There are some great lightweight bo out there for competition, but I would use a plain old red oak or other hardwood bo for regular training, it will help build the muscles you need for great competition forms.