How to Throw a Bo Staff

To add a little more visual interest and complexity to your work with the Bo Staff, you can incorporate a windmill throw into the air. Start with a basic wrist twist to boost the spin of Bo Staff, but as you become more and more familiar with the technique, you can modify the difficulty of the hand spin before your release.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bo staff

Holding the Bo Staff Properly

1. Hold the Bo Staff in your right hand close to center, using an over-grip with your palm down. The staff should be positioned parallel with the floor.

2. Twist the wrist clockwise in one swift motion. You’ll be using the momentum of this movement to propel the Bo Staff into the air and create the end-over-end spin.

3. Open your hand as soon as your wrist has turned almost 180 degrees and toss the Bo Staff into the air. It should spin end-over-end, producing a windmill motion.

4. Bring your left hand out with your fingers open and your palm up as you move your right hand back to your side.

5. Allow the Bo Staff to fall into your left hand, performing an under-grip to catch the pole somewhere relatively close to the center.

6. Begin to spin the pole a couple of times in your hand before releasing it into the air as you become more accustomed with this Bo Staff throw.

7. Spinning: To spin the Bo Staff in your hand before the throw, as you begin to reach the 180 degree angle with your wrist, take your pinkie to middle finger off of the pole and cradle it between your thumb and index finger, letting it rotate on the area in between.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a Bo Staff that is approximately the same height as you when holding it up-and-down.
• The weight of the Bo Staff is basically a personal preference, but when you first start implementing this form of martial arts into your practice, it is recommended to start light and work up with experience.
• When performing a Bo Staff throw, make sure there is enough room above and to your sides to safely spin and throw the pole.
• Never reach for the Bo Staff after the throw. Always let it fall into the “catching” hand. This is another scenario where gravity helps complete the action.

Resources

• Bo Staff

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