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Step 1
Start out with both hands on the bo staff, about 12 inches apart. One hand should use an underhand grip; the other should use an overhand grip. It’s up to your preference which grip feels more comfortable for the right and left hands. For the sake of example, use the right as the underhand.
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Step 2
Plant your feet firmly on the ground, about shoulder width apart, keeping your knees slightly bent.
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Step 3
Ready yourself for a strike. Bring your bo staff in front of you, holding it at a 45-degree angle, with your elbows slightly bent. For the strike, the tip pointing toward the sky should be on the side of your underhand grip—the right in this scenario.
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Step 4
Perform the strike. Sweep the right tip of your bo staff down and out in front of you in almost a slicing motion. As the right tip moves forward, the left tip will swing back until the shaft of your bo staff hits the left side of your ribcage.
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Step 5
Move into your next strike. Swing the right tip back, sweeping it to the right in an arc. The right tip should swing over your head and around to your left side, then slice down and out in front of you. As the right tip slices forward again, the left tip will swing back until the shaft of your bo staff hits the right side of your ribcage.
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Step 6
Move into your third strike. The right tip will swing back, sweeping it to your left in an arc. The right tip will again travel over your head and around to your right side, then slice down and out in front of you until the shaft hits the left side of your ribcage.
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Step 7
Move into a stab by drawing the bo staff toward you, keeping the right tip pointing forward. Your elbow will move back and up, while your right forearm will come into your chest.
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Step 8
Thrust the bo staff forward at your opponent.
