Kuk Sool Won

[SBN Doug]

Quite possible.

However, soon after that move you return to open handed motions (Ssang Sa Ma Gwi, Ssang Pyeong Soo, etc.). So, I'm at a loss as to why you would be without the weapon so soon after picking it up.

[taiji fajin]

True, but forms aren't always (and in my opinion shouldn't usually be) a series of attacks that you use one right after the other. More often they teach body control / conditioning, and small chunks of moves you could do. I would probably never use more than two or three moves that are in a row in a form, usually less.

[PrideampPoise]

We occasionally practice picking up a staff while doing forward rolls. I'm trying to picture doing it with a cartwheel, and it seems like the length of the staff would make it problematic. Maybe if you pick it up at the "far" end? Something shorter might work well also.

[taiji fajin]

It's all about how you bend your arms. Do you know Bohng Dae Ryuhn? You do a cartwheel holding a staff during it. It's the same thing picking one up . . . . you're just not holding it during the first half.

[PrideampPoise]

I've only got my 1st black stripe and only know as far as Dae Geup Hyung. But what you are saying makes sense.

[aefibird]

It's all about how you bend your arms. Do you know Bohng Dae Ryuhn? You do a cartwheel holding a staff during it.

You don't have any links to video clips of that do you? I'm finding it hard to picture cartwheeling with a staff in your hands.

Ta.

[SBN Doug]

When in doubt Google it!

http://www.kswcbl.co.uk/videos3.htm#2

Quite a few good videos in there. Staff sparring is the one you want for your answer.

[aefibird]

Merci!

I shall check out the other vids as well - always good to learn about other styles.

[taiji fajin]

Nice link , it saved me from having to put up a video of myself doing the form.

I have two problems when I see most people do this form (no offense to anyone).

The first is that the strikes are not at the other person, but at their staff. Many times in the form you will see an "attack" that would simply go by in the air if the defender had not put out his staff. Why bother blocking if it's not going to hit you?

The other is that people put their staff out to block long before the attack comes. Not only does this look aesthetically displeasing, but it's impractical. If a person had the block waiting out there, I would just strike somewhere else.

I love doing staff sparring with one particular JGN in my class, who is actually my roommate. We've been doing it together for long enough that when we do the form, we are actually trying to hit each other. Literally. We don't hold back our swings (which occasionally results in a broken staff), because we know the other person will be able to block it (or had better block it!) In our last demo, at one point my roommate did a side strike to my head, which I blocked, but it was a strong enough attack that his staff bent around mine and brushed my hair.

Let me tell you, doing this form when the other person is actually aiming for you, not holding back, and not letting you get your defense in place before they swing keeps you on your toes!

[SBN Doug]

If you like that, then I suggest you take a class with KJN Simms.

He neither holds back, nor worries about you not getting your block in place.

The one difference I see is that it is never his staff doing the bending!

Watched his tree truck of a staff bend my staff by about a foot, when he downward stuck toward my head as I blocked.