How to Twirl a Bo Staff

Bo is the Japanese word for weapon, or staff. The bo is one of the earliest known weapons and has been used throughout Asia for centuries. The bo staff is typically made of smooth wood or bamboo, and is usually tapered, three centimeters in diameter at its thickest point by 1.8 meters in length. The bo is commonly used as a martial arts training and competition weapon as well as an implement of self-defense. It can be used to strike, block, parry or simply to entrap an opponent without killing them. The main advantage of the bo staff is the ability to use its length as leverage to add power to a move. The bo also offers its user the benefit of distance during a strike. Becoming comfortable with a staff is the first step in becoming proficient.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. 
    

   Hold the staff horizontally across the front of your body, elbows slightly bent, just above waist level. One palm faces up, one faces down, approximately six inches apart. For purposes of demonstration, begin with the right palm up, left palm down.

2. 
    

   Swing the staff up in front of your face, counterclockwise, crossing your right wrist over the left while following the staff with your right hand.

3. 
    

   Continue this movement, guiding the staff between the left thumb and index finger, then allowing it to pass over the back of the left hand.

4. 
    

   Turn the top end of the staff to the bottom. Twist your left hand so that the pinkie edge is up and the palm is facing outward to the left, wrists still crossed.

5. 
    

   Grasp the bo staff with your left hand and let go of it with the right hand. Continue rotating the staff counterclockwise with only your left hand until it comes up in front your body once again in a horizontal position.

6. 
    

   Grasp the staff with your right hand about six inches from your left, so that you are now holding the staff exactly as you were at the start, except with left palm up and right palm down.

7. Repeat these steps in reverse to twirl the bo staff clockwise.

Tips & Warnings

• Sparring with any martial arts weapon should only be done under expert supervision and instruction.
• Never practice full-contact weapons sparring on another individual without proper instruction and protective gear. Karate dummies designed for this purpose may be purchased at a martial arts supply store.

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