Self taught Bo staff

[Astral Ghost]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and I was wondering if there was any people that taught themselves any weapon and how effective it was for them. I have recieved minimal instructions with my weapon of choice, the Bo staff, but I can use it so well. I can spin it as fast as I want (which is verry fast!) and I never hit myself except for on occasion. LOL, I was first inspired by my child hood hero's, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Martial arts people say that my style is too flashy and Staff preformer people that spin with fire say that I have too much of a martial arts style. I dont know what way I should go with but I love to show off and I love to do martial arts too. The base of almost all my moves can come off of a figure 8 and I think that is why they have so much flash.

Well, I guess that is my Introduction to this sight. I hope to come here often and get tips and give advice.

Edited September 21, 2005 by Astral Ghost

[Shorin Ryuu]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and I was wondering if there was any people that taught themselves any weapon and how effective it was for them. I have recieved minimal instructions with my weapon of choice, the Bo staff, but I can use it so well. I can spin it as fast as I want (which is verry fast!) and I never hit myself except for on occasion.

Welcome to the site.

This will sound harsh, and I certainly mean no offense.

Being able to spin it quickly without hitting yourself doesn't mean you can use the bo well. I can't think of an example where someone simply "taught themselves the bo" and ended up actually being effective. There is a difference between being able to swing it really hard and "being effective with the bo".

I think you know the answer to your question already. Either you're going to go for flash or go for practicality. You make the decision. It sounds to me like you want to go for flash and forego effectiveness. That's fine. It's your decision either way.

[Astral Ghost]

I Have spared with a bo before many times, once I was against two people with bokins and I did well I think. I want to be better at the bo staff because I have noticed at times when I was sparing I let down my defence and I was easily hit. I need to perfect my technique but I dont know if I should just keep on doing what I'm doing and teach myself or should I get perfesional instruction.

[Sauzin]

Well if you want to be effective with the bo, stop spinning it. There's just no other way to put it. We've had a lot of discussions on these forums about the advantages and disadvantages of spinning and some would argue with me. But it really boils down to a simple point. Real bo fighting isn't about spinning. It's about striking. It's about maintaining control of the bo. It's about timing. It's about allowing the bo to protect you. It's about moving up and down the bo to make the most of it's length. It's about knowing how to use a stick to lock up a joint. And often, it's about power. But spinning means having very little control over the bo (your hands are too close together). It means your timing is obvious to your attacker. And most of all there's no power. I've taken a full speed spin to my arm. It hurt, gave me a nice bruise. But I could still use it and he nearly lost his bo when he hit me.

Here's a suggestion. If you haven't already buy a full size oak bo. Not a toothpick bo but something that is at least 1 1/8th inch in the middle. Tapered is good. Practice your striking. Work combinations of steping then striking. Always finsh your step before you strike. Always keep one end of the bo pointing directly at your opponent as you step. And if you can, find a traditional karate dojo that practices weapons. Ask about the bo, you won't be sorry.

[Anbu Alex]

Bo spinning is mostly to keep the opponent away from you and to hide your attacks. i agree with Sauzin about bo fighting but also its about distance from your opponent hence its length

[Shorinryu Sensei]

Once again I find myself agreeing with Shorin Ryuu and Sauzin. Teaching yourself weapons, or empty hand techniques for that matter, will produce sloppy, ineffective and inefficient technique most of the time. You may think it's great because you don't have any experience with real technique to compare it to.

[Shorin Ryuu]

Bo spinning is mostly to keep the opponent away from you and to hide your attacks.

What? I'm going to have to call you out on that one...Spinning the bo is just to look fancy or maybe develop wrist strength?...whatever it is, it doesn't really have anything to do with what you would do in a fight. The sooner as people understand that, the better.

[AndrewGreen]

Bo Spinning against an opponent leads to bo flying away...

[Astral Ghost]

Though I can usualy keep a good grip on it your right. I have noticed that they can counter or block it easily. I have had practice with the staff all my life and I am to the point where I can spin without effort and its kind of instinctive for me now. But as you have said, it is usualy not a good Idea to spin except for on occasion. I can do this, I have perfect controle over the staff except for when it is hit then i have to strugle to keep it in controle. Maybe I could be in a martial arts coriographed movie or something, I have been told that I have a definate talent with the staff and I love doing it.

[orion82698]

I picked up a video on this, and it will be the last video I buy for MA stuff. It wasn't very helpful, and is misleading.