Bo forms

[jnpnshr411]

Has anyone created their own bo forms?

[Sauzin]

If I may in the most respectful way possible, ask why?

[fallen_milkman]

I have made a one person staff form, and a couple of friends and I created a staff v.s. sword two-man form. Creating your own forms, if done correctly, can be a great exercise. My style requires form creation as an artistic part of martial arts. I think we make one for every level beyond our second rank.

[jnpnshr411]

I agree with you milkman that's exactly why I want to create one of my own but have found it a lot harder than I thought it would be. How exactly did you go about making your own?

[fallen_milkman]

It's kind of a complicated process. I had it explained to me by my sifu. I'll type up what I can remember.

Basically, there are a few ways to go about organizing your moves.

1. Basically go though several opponents, imagining an attack and defending. Then move to the next and defend as efficiently possible.

2. Use the form to organize tricky or new self defense techniques you have learned.

3. Use cool looking moves to make an impressive, performance based form.

After you figure out your method, start working alone. Arrange your moves paying attention to footwork, positioning, and being realistic.

Once you have a framework of moves and a concept of where you want the form to go, you find a living, breathing punching bag! (Also known as "friends" or "training partners.") Ask this person to throw the attacks you put into your form, and basically see if your guesstimations on how your techniques would flow are realistic enough. Make sure you can see each attack as it is coming. I.E. if they are attacking from behind, how do you know they are there? Is it a choke, or a headlock? If you can't answer, the form is not very realistic. After working with them, you should have a few mods to make. Practise alone for awhile until you know the new form inside and out. Now grab your punching bag again, checking for realism. Do this until it seems you have a finished form.

If you have any more questions either post them or PM me, and I'll see if I can help. Lastly, your instructor should be able to help you a bit with this as well. Ask him or her if your style includes the creation of personal forms.

[jnpnshr411]

thanks alot that makes alot of sense, the "punching bag". Im going to really work on that.

[yamesu]

Assuming you already have a working knowledge of bo-kata, you should be able to take moves you alredy know from various kata and kihon, and then string them together in a dynamic way.

[sdargie]

Has anyone altered forms to fit their own requirments?

We are tested on Taeguk Jeung (sp?) and I own a pair of sai and tonfa so started incorporating the weapons so I that had an excuse to practice both.

[fallen_milkman]

I sometimes modify our empty hand forms to work with a broadsword. I like doing it a lot.

jnpnshr411, I am curious as to how your form is coming. Let's hear an update!

[jnpnshr411]

Well I started talking to my instructor and he helped me also. After hitting myself many times, I started altering alot and cutting many movements from a previous form. I wanted it to be more amped than the one taught to us. I added alot of spinning and palm spinning. The problem that I still have is that making it spin from side to side is alot harder with low stances. I find myself standing alot. It still a work in progress but I think it looks pretty good. Thanks alot for your help milkman I kept things you said it mind so that my form wouldnt have unrealistic movements (besides all the spinning).