Martial Arts

A bo staff is an ancient martial arts weapon originating in Asia. Essentially, a bo staff is a six-foot long wooden stick. It's usually about an inch thick in the middle and tapers slightly at...

Spinning a bo staff for striking or blocking techniques in karate requires good wrist strength, speed and balance. Master the perfect move as demonstrated by a martial arts expert in this free...

Knowing how to measure and choose a bo staff in karate depends on whether the staff is for training purposes or for competition because there are various styles and sizes. Train or compete with...

Determining the correct size of a bo staff in martial arts is very important for beginners because having control over the staff is the first step in mastering this weapon. Find the right height...

Using a bo staff in karate is a great weapon to use for striking, blocking and spinning techniques when facing an oncoming attacker or opponent. Learn the different styles with advice from a...

The monks of ancient China took pilgrimages to temples and monasteries as part of their training. Because carrying weapons went against Buddhist belief, the monks had to develop a means of...

The bo staff, a traditional Okinawan weapon, serves as not only a weapon, but an aid to exercising. The staff requires dexterity and awareness to use effectively as a weapon, even with its...

One of the few self defense weapons legal to carry today, the staff can be a hiking version six feet long, a farm tool or walking cane or even a short rod attached to a key ring and small enough...

Martial arts staffs, or bo, come in many different sizes and compositions. While the most common material used in bo is wood, metal staves have been gaining popularity as different alloys have...

Martial arts historians theorize that the bo staff evolved from such long-handled tools as rakes, oars or the poles farmers balanced across their shoulders to carry heavy loads in feudal Japan....

The bo staff is a 6-foot pole, traditionally made of wood. As noted by Shotokai.com, the staff is believed to have evolved from the pole that farmers in feudal Japan balanced across their...

Many martial arts weapons can be made out of wood. It is important to use types of wood that are strong yet lightweight. These include ash, cherry, black walnut and maple. Standard measurements...

It is possible to make your own bo staff as long as you have basic woodworking skills. Essentially a bo staff is a long stick. However, to be an effective martial arts weapon it should fit precise...

There are several reasons to measure a bo staff. Many martial artists make their own and need to measure it to make sure that it fits standard specifications. Other martial artists measure a bo...

Twirl a bo staff by spinning it from its center point and by practicing diligently to learn how to alternate between hands. Learn to perform strikes and twirl the bo staff using tips from a...

Perform the bo staff pressing block technique with a Yin and Yang grip. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a pressing block in this free video on bo staff techniques.

Perform the bo staff low strike using the duck head technique. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a low strike in this free video on bo staff techniques.

Perform the bo staff technique downward smash by striking across your body. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a downward smash in this free video on bo staff techniques.

Do the bo staff upward strike technique gripping the staff tightly. Get bo staff technique tips for doing an upward strike in this free video on bo staff techniques.

Do the bo staff cross strike technique using the Yin and Yang grip. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a cross strike in this free video on bo staff techniques.

Perform the kung fu bo staff poke technique starting with the rear hand facing downward. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a kung fu bo staff poke in this free video on bo staff techniques.

Do the kung fu bo staff thrust technique making sure the duck head is kept at the solar plexus. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a kung fu bo staff thrust in this free video on bo staff...

Combine bo staff techniques such as an upward rowing block and low strike to defeat an opponent. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a upward rowing block and low strike combination in this free...

Combine bo staff techniques such as a downward rowing block and overhead strike using a crane technique as an intermediate step. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a downward rowing block and...

Combine bo staff techniques such as a pressing block and side kick to confuse and overwhelm an attacker. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a pressing block and side kick combination in this...

Combine bo staff techniques such as a low rowing block and thrust. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a low rowing block and thrust combination in this free video on bo staff techniques.

Bo staff grips vary depending upon the type of bo staff techniques used. Learn how to hold and grip a bo staff in this free video on bo staff techniques.

Perform the bo staff single-handed downward flower technique by first gripping the bo staff in the center. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a single-handed downward flower in this free video...

Perform the bo staff single-handed upward flower technique starting with the bo staff at shoulder height. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a single-handed upward flower in this free video on...

Do the bo staff two-handed downward flower technique with both hands facing down in a thumb-to-thumb grip. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a two-handed downward flower in this free video on...

Perform the bo staff two-handed upward flower technique keeping the staff close to the body. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a two-handed upward flower in this free video on bo staff techniques.

Do the bo staff upward rowing block technique by twisting the hips and pulling straight back. Get bo staff technique tips for doing an upward rowing block in this free video on bo staff techniques.

Perform the bo staff downward rowing block technique starting with the staff at the waist. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a downward rowing block in this free video on bo staff techniques.

Do the bo staff overhead block technique by pressing the staff upward overhead. Get bo staff technique tips for doing a overhead block in this free video on bo staff techniques.

The full moon move is a bo staff technique that is used to steal an opponents staff during combat. Practice this powerful maneuver with tips from a martial arts instructor in this free video on bo...

Passing the bo staff is a defensive technique that's used to manipulate the bo from one side of the body to the other. Pass the bo staff with tips from a martial arts instructor in this free video...

Passing the bo staff underneath the legs is a great way to confuse an opponent. Practice this maneuver with tips from a martial arts instructor in this free video on bo staff techniques.

After working with the bo staff, close the eyes, pull up the chin and breathe through the nose to cool down the body. Learn a few cool down exercises with tips from a martial arts instructor in...

When using a bo staff, refrain from crossing the legs while walking and guarding to avoid vulnerability. Guard while walking with a bo staff tips from a martial arts instructor in this free video...

Blocking with a bo staff is a defensive tactic that should be practiced at a slow tempo in order to improve technique. Block using a bo staff with tips from a martial arts instructor in this free...

Blocking with a bo staff while moving is great defensive technique that requires skill and diligent practice. Block while moving with a bo staff tips from a martial arts instructor in this free...

When using a bo staff, slide the hands and torque the body to produce a powerful strike. Learn to strike an opponent with tips from a martial arts instructor in this free video on bo staff techniques.

Perform a one-handed twirl using a bo staff by focusing on the wrist and practicing at slow speeds in order to develop technique. Execute the one-handed twirl with tips from a martial arts...

In Aikido, the jo technique is performed by twirling a bo staff around the shoulders in order to pass it from one end to the other. Practice the jo technique with tips from a martial arts...

The swipe is a bo staff technique that enables a fighter to attack an aggressive opponent from a distance. Perform the swipe with tips from a martial arts instructor in this free video on bo staff...

When using a bo staff, study Aikido and create different attack combinations to confuse and subdue an aggressive opponent. Lean a bo staff combo with tips from a martial arts instructor in this...

When using a bo staff, develop good hand coordination and create an orb to guard against oncoming attacks. Guard using a bo staff with tips from a martial arts instructor in this free video on bo...

The bo staff fake neck roll and loop combination is a great maneuver to use in the middle of an attack sequence. Practice this powerful combo with tips from a martial arts instructor in this free...

When performing bo staff full neck rolls, keep the shoulders flat and down to produce a smooth attack. Practice full neck rolls with tips from a martial arts instructor in this free video on the...

A bo staff fake neck roll is an intricate movement, in which the bo never loses contact with the hands. Perform the face neck roll with tips from a martial arts instructor in this free video on...