the sai

[shukokai2000]

i agree

[kivikala]

The sai is a wonderful weapon. It offers challenges for the student to overcome in the process of learning and rewards of phenomenal dexterity and general hand-eye coordination. The weapon itself is very versatile as well as difficult to master and generally commands great respect if you can prove to be accomplished with it.

Training is simple, something that I think many people have forgotten. They key is practice. Repetitive, dull, boring, sometime painful if you should drop a sai on the foot. But the whole thing boils down to there are no shortcuts, it is all work.

Sai basics pretty much follow unarmed blocking patterns (inside/outside/up/down) and striking patterns (flip out, twist in, flip down, scoop up) along with thrusting using either end we have a total of 10 basic maneuvers.

Practice is the same as its unarmed cousin. Drill after drill, after drill. There just isn't any other way. When I started MA, I was told you can not use any technique until you master it. So my approach has been practice a technique until my arm feels like it wants to fall off then double again whatever I did. It wasn't to learn "fancy flashing stuff" just sound solid techniques.

Practicing the basics you learn intuitively the mechanics of your hand and arm. And later you learn by just picking something up you can instinctively find the balance point. This for me, by constant repetitive practice, I can pick up almost any stick-like object (except a wet noodle) and use it effectively as a sai. My personal favorite practice now is using a pair of nijuushisun-no-kudatsuru instead of sais. (rather untraditional but it gives your arms a great workout.)

I use this dry, boring method for my students so they can appreciate their overall skill not just their ability with a single weapon. From this they can leap into almost any hand held weapons training and be well ahead of the game.

Learning the sai should be under the guidance of a qualified instructor, anything less is just a waste of time.

[Shrekka]

I totally agree with that Kivikala.

You said you can pretty much pick up any stick (except for the wet noodle - I also have that problem ) and use the same techniques found in the sai. I believe we practise Kobudo for this very reason, so we can defend ourselves, family (maybe the wife... ) and friends with everday weapon usable objects.

Good post. Yours I mean. Mine is ok.

[unknownstyle]

most of the stuff with the sai is pretty straight forward, IMO. not saying it a basic weapon. its one of my favorites. but it isnt really all that hard to handle

[swordwiz7]

the sai is a great weapon to use. I use it alot. once you understand how to at least hold them, most of the strikes are pretty straight forward.

[cathal]

The pair I have are quite small, difficult for my big hands to handle. I am thinking that I'll be much better with a larger pair. Anyone know how to "measure" yourself for a pair?

[Sohan]

To cathal,

For the perfect sai fit, measure from the tip of your extended index finger to the end of the bent elbow. Then add 1/2 inch.

To the earlier poster:

I want to echo the importance of a good teacher for the sai. The weapon is too dangerous and too easy to develop bad habits with to learn technique from videos or books alone.

Respectfully,

Sohan

[patusai]

You can only learn so much from reading things, my suggestion is to find someone in your area that can teach you it.

Yep