Senior Black Belt Competitor Needs Advice

[cleung]

I have been competing in the senior (40-49) BB weapons division and need some advice. I do both bo staff and three section staff which are two completely different weapons styles. The present forms for each weapon are on video at both the Google video and YouTube video websites. Just do a search with 'clint bo staff' and 'clint three section staff' which will access these videos. Since my senior weapons divisions are mixed styles, I can and have done both weapons in competition with no clear cut answer on which is better. I would like to get some constructive comments on my weapons forms if possible;

1) which form is better, i.e., which would you score higher in competition?

2) as I am a senior competitor, I will not be able to do any extreme techniques so what else can I work on to improve these forms?

Feedback is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[bushido_man96]

I think both forms look nice, but I think the bo staff form is your best bet. It had more power in it. As for spicing it up a bit, throw in a few kicks here and there. They should blend in well, and you should be able to put them in some spots where there will be good flow and rhythm. I don't do weapons forms, as they are not available to me, and I prefer to do weapon on weapon training. But I can tell that you definitely have some good whip on that stick!

Hope this helps.

[Scotty]

Yeah, I prefer the staff sequence. The 3 section is also excellent, but the bo staff was more impressive. Good luck in the competition!

[Aodhan]

I have been competing in the senior (40-49) BB weapons division and need some advice. I do both bo staff and three section staff which are two completely different weapons styles. The present forms for each weapon are on video at both the Google video and YouTube video websites. Just do a search with 'clint bo staff' and 'clint three section staff' which will access these videos. Since my senior weapons divisions are mixed styles, I can and have done both weapons in competition with no clear cut answer on which is better. I would like to get some constructive comments on my weapons forms if possible;

1) which form is better, i.e., which would you score higher in competition?

2) as I am a senior competitor, I will not be able to do any extreme techniques so what else can I work on to improve these forms?

Feedback is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

I can't view the videos at work, but in general, the bo staff is a LOT easier to make look good. The three sectional staff is very hard to get smooth and make it look "flowing". However, if you can do so, it add that difficulty level.

What age are you in the 40-49 range? I just moved into that range this year, and I'm able to do some of the kicks/tricks (540, side semi, aerial), so unless you have a physical limitation, you should be able to learn them as well.

Aodhan

[cleung]

I 'm 45 and have had ACL replacements on both knees so I won't risk further injuries with extreme moves. The guys in my division (NASKA) do not do extreme moves anyway.

[parkerlineage]

If I were a judge at your competition, I would score the bo kata higher.

I would give you more points if you deepened your stances just a little bit more, if that was possible and followed along with your style. I'm also in favor of the kicks, but I don't think that's really necessary.

[ps1]

At this point I agree with everyone else. The bo is the better competition form at this point. Everything is just more crisp. Personally, I agree that you should try to deepen the stances on it and make more distinct footwork. That would add to the scores I think.

I did a search and saw others performing the same three section as you. Theirs even had the butterfly kick and fancy fall and spinning the thing under their body while on the ground. I still didn't like it. The form seems to lack pace. It seems to hodgepoged. That's not your fault, probably just the nature of the weapon.

[cathal]

I tend to agree, the bo is better. The three section staff routine you have down is fine, but lack a bit of fluidity. Not just with the weapon itself but with your leg movements. I see you've had some work done with the knee so that's going to be a factor I think. If you can, try to deepen your stance in both routines.

[White_Tiger]

What are you doing in the 40-49 year old division??? You look like you are 25!

I think you are talented with both, but I enjoyed the bo staff the best. Best of luck to you!

[cleung]

Thanks for your comments. I am in my forties - born 1961.