| Besides rocks, one of the most basic of all | | | | Some martial artists do not consider some of |
| weapons throughout mankind's history across | | | | the modern bo forms observed in the |
| most cultures has been the long wooden stick. | | | | competition circuits to be true weapons forms |
| This makes sense since sticks were always | | | | as some competitors emphasize too much |
| readily available in the forests or could be | | | | baton-like twirling action rather than actual |
| easily made. The Asian martial arts took the | | | | combative techniques. It could very well be |
| long wooden staff into an art form as many | | | | a matter of personal taste. This is why in |
| martial art styles include the long staff in | | | | most of the large open martial arts |
| their systems. Some styles even have | | | | tournaments, weapons divisions are split into |
| traditional weapons forms or katas featuring | | | | traditional and creative.Chinese kung fu |
| the long staff. Some systems of martial arts | | | | styles also utilize the long staff although |
| train with weapons such as the staff through | | | | there are some differences in techniques when |
| practical techniques only without the use of | | | | compared to Japanese karate styles. Instead |
| set forms.Unlike many martial art weapons | | | | of holding the weapon in the middle most of |
| such as swords, knives, kamas and sais which | | | | the time like a bo is held, Chinese staffs |
| are short range, staffs are long range | | | | are usually held near one end which has the |
| weapons with superior reach. This enables | | | | effect of elongating the weapon even more. |
| the user to attack and defend from a distance | | | | Taditionally, the lead hand is the left hand |
| which can be frustrating from the point of | | | | with the right holding the bottom end of the |
| view of an opponent who has a short range | | | | staff. However, there are techniques which |
| weapon. Long range weapons are also useful | | | | involve switching sides as well as using the |
| in keeping multiple opponents out of reach | | | | bottom end to strike too. In addition to |
| too. Of course, long weapons such as the | | | | strikes executed while holding the weapon |
| staff cannot be easily concealed like short | | | | with both hands, there are more single handed |
| range weapons so they can be cumbersome to | | | | techniques with Chinese staffs than with |
| carry around.One of the most popular martial | | | | Japanese bo staffs. Like their empty hand |
| arts weapons from the Japanese karate styles | | | | kung fu forms, Chinese staff forms have more |
| is the bo. Even today, the bo is usually the | | | | circular, swinging techniques than in |
| first weapon taught at karate schools and is | | | | Japanese karate styles.Contemporary wushu |
| the most common weapon seen at tournaments. | | | | forms use a much lighter weapon than in |
| The bo staff comes in different variations. | | | | traditional kung fu staff forms. Wushu |
| There are heavy bo staffs which resemble | | | | stylists also use staffs or cudgels that are |
| thick poles which are considered more | | | | made of a unique white wax wood from trees |
| traditional and there are lighter versions | | | | that are grown only in China. Staffs made of |
| which are tapered at both ends. There are | | | | this type of wood are not made with precision |
| also multi-sided bo staffs such as octagonal | | | | like Japanese bo's. The wushu staffs are |
| but these are much less common than the usual | | | | naturally tapered with a thicker bottom and |
| round, circular versions.Although there are | | | | thinner top. The white wax wood is extremely |
| one handed swings, most bo techniques involve | | | | resilient as users of this type of Chinese |
| both hands holding the weapon. Various | | | | staff perform techniques which involve |
| strikes and blocks can be performed with | | | | smashing the entire weapon on the floor at |
| either end of the bo as well as the sides and | | | | full force.Korean kuk sul won also has the |
| middle. Bo users take advantage of the | | | | long staff in their system and the techniques |
| entire weapon as techniques can be executed | | | | used are like a blend of Chinese and Japanese |
| with any part of the bo. For the majority of | | | | moves. Although all martial arts styles that |
| techniques involving the bo, the user holds | | | | utilize weaponry have more complex and |
| the staff near the middle with both ends | | | | possibly more impressive looking weapons, the |
| protruding out equally. Traditionally, the | | | | long staff has remained to be a favorite for |
| lead hand (furthest away from the body) has | | | | many martial artists.Clint Leung is a |
| been the right hand.Contemporary weapons | | | | lifelong martial artist with over 32 years of |
| forms competitions have caused the bo to | | | | training experience in kung fu, tae kwon do, |
| evolve where competitors now use extremely | | | | karate, kickboxing and martial arts weaponry. |
| lightweight bo's and some even have | | | | He has won Canadian and world championship |
| reflective finishes giving a more flashy | | | | titles (NASKA, NBL and WSKF). He is also |
| visual appearance when the user is performing | | | | owner of Free Spirit Activewear ( an online |
| a bo form. Unlike traditional bo forms, | | | | retailer and designer of premium martial arts |
| contemporary creative open forms with the bo | | | | activewear. |
| involve more complex spins and even tosses. | | | | |