How to Defend Against a Choke Using a Hapkido Bo Staff

Hapkido is a Korean martial art which is an amalgamation of many different combat and self defense techniques. These techniques were developed through trial and error over a period of several centuries of internal strife in Korea’s history. Unlike Tae Kwon Do, the Korean martial art, Hapkido is used for survival and self defense. To that end it stresses that any student of Hapkido makes use of any possible advantage they might have at their disposal. To this effect, many different weapons are used in Hapkido. One common weapon in Hapkido is the Bo Staff. Like its Japanese counterpart, the Bo staff is a simple length of polished wood roughly the height of the combatant and can be deadly in the hands of a practiced user. At the time, such a weapon could be derived from any nearby pole or straight branch, making it relatively versatile for defense as well as attack.Unlike Japanese martial arts, which teach flashy spins and strikes with a Bo, Hapkido Bo work is straightforward and precise. Here is a guide on how to use a Bo staff in the Hapkido fashion to defend yourself against an opponent who is choking you with both hands.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bo Staff

1. Allow your opponent to approach and take you by the throat with both hands. If this was a real fight and you had your Bo ready to defend against an attack, your opponent would’ve never gotten within range to grab you. Mindful of this, start with your Bo held loosely in your right hand with one end against the ground like a cane.

2. Take a half step back with your left foot to get your opponent to lean forward in order to maintain his hold on you. Raise your Bo and place the top end flat against the flesh beneath your attacker’s chin. Push back and up as hard as you can to force your attacker’s head back hard, breaking his hold around your neck as the two of you are pushed apart.

3. Grip the Bo staff in the middle with your left hand and slide your right hand all the way to the top end. Take a step back with your right foot while turning sidelong to your attacker so your left shoulder is pointed at him. Bend deeply at the knees and rotate the staff sharply using your left hand as the axis so that your right hand comes up, over, and down to rest near your right hip while the other end of the Bo rises up in counterpoint to strike the attacker in the crotch.

4. Choke up on the Bo, sliding your right hand in toward the center to meet your left and then sliding your left hand out to the end of the staff which has just struck your opponent. Pivot at the waist counterclockwise and swing the Bo horizontally to strike your opponent across the jaw or side of the neck to finish him and complete the defensive sequence.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you have plenty of room when practicing this technique. The Bo staff is longer than people think and if one is not aware of one's surroundings, accidents are imminent.

Resources

• Video Demonstration

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