Self taught Bo staff

[Shrekka]

To the OP, spinning a stick 100 miles an hour doesn't make you good at the bo. You need to find yourself a traditional Karate/Kobudo dojo and learn Kata and the correct movements.

Kobudo isn't about fighting other people with weapons, Kobudo is about defending yourself and others with weapon usable objects.

[jaymac]

I have studied 2 seperate styles of martial arts. I have learned that teaching yourself a weapon is not a good idea. Having an instructor who can guide you through weapons techniques and proper handling of a weapon is ideal. I don't know what style of Martial arts you take, but there are alot of good schools that teach weapons. I do not currently take Kung fu ( belong to a traditional Shotokan school) but when I did, we learned alot about Bo and was shown many wonderful Bo Kata. Check it out.

[cleung]

I basically taught myself the bo staff for competition but I was already a black belt then. I was also fortunate to have lots of exposure to many great bo competitors on the tournament circuits over the years, including Mike Bernardo. Mike actually gave me a coaching session years down the road when we were part of a Canadian team. Although it took a few years, I ended up doing quite well with the bo in my weapons divisions.

It wasn't the ideal way to learn a weapon as I look back but if one is an experienced martial artist already, then it is possible to learn a weapon on your own at first. Getting coaching from others who already know the weapon quite well would take the knowledge up another level.