Sensei Seth's video: • BO STAFF for Self Defe... Learn how to actually use a staff effectively, just in case you inexplicably find yourself in a fight holding a long stick.
This is something anyone who practices any version of historic martial arts or reenactment fighting knows. After learning the basics with a spear, axe or any "pole" weapon period you realize two things 1) this is still an effective weapon even if you take off the sharp bit and 2) it's way more effective with the sharp bit on it. That's exactly what a bo or quarterstaff is... A spear or axe with the tip knocked off.
If I remember correctly there's a bit more to the use of quarter staffs in English history. They might not have called it a quarter staff that early, but for example in old Robin Hood tales it's a frequently used weapon. And it's a very good one tbh. It can't compete with a spear, but I'd take a proper quarter staff over a sword any day. It has more reach, is very versatile and can break an arm or crack a skull with a proper swing. Depending on the quality of the steel it might even destroy a sword's blade. I've done some light weapon sparring with people who knew how to use these and it's honestly scary.
It makes sense because: - against blade - learning sword took more talent & time As you said, it can't compete with spear. Historically, sword vs spear, not sword vs quarterstaff. Shaolin as an example, they use quarterstaff because it's easier to use if you don't want to kill, but against a good fighter, they use broadsword attached to the quarterstaff.
@@budisutanto5987 eeh, I wouldn't agree with the "it takes less time" part. Both thake a lot of training to master. It's just that a stick isn't expensive, whilst a sword is. Even a farmer cpuld pick up a stick and practice with it if he wanted to. But he couldn't get a sword. The non killing part is also not true. A quarter staff is deadly. They are very heavy and solid. Getting cracked in the head with one can kill you pretty quickly.
You can hold a Bo, not a bo staff that's a staff staff, at the one third and two thirds mark, and it works perfectly well. In any realistic combat situation you will switch between multiple grips.
In Europe the quarterstaff is one of the most effective self defence weapon,a sword stands no chance against it,it can block other polearsm,it is capable to damage even armored opponents,and it was incospicuous and used for traveling. I believe you sold this weapon short here,in China it was also used as a battlefield weapon. I cannot argue that a spear is even more effective,and a later polearm like an halberd or partizan even more,but they are much much more harder to come by and justify than a big stick that i can probably carry even today on the road to Santiago De Compostela
@@indefenceofthetraditionalma then youd die. Reach advantage is a huge and you are DRASTICALLY underestimating the power of a quarterstaff All it needs is a single hit to the dome and your done itll easily snap bones and jabbing with can pretty easily knock the wind out of you at best. Its also faster than most swords and has a pretty decent chance to jist power through a block. Sword and shield? Maybd But just a sword? With equal skill swordsman dies or is crippled everytime Dont fuck with the mighty stick
@@indefenceofthetraditionalma well thats just a weird way to right that And completely off yopic? Of course a sword stands a chance Therefore id use a quarter staff WITH A SWORD????
Unless you meant where firearms are widely carried, no, a quarterstaff is not not valuable because firearms existed. That makes 0 sense whatsoever. Just because people COULD have a firearm, doesnt mean that they will. A staff is still much more effective than your hands, especially quarterstaffs given their length and weight. Talk to any hema practitioner.
The staff isnt a bad weapon- there are simply better weapons. Its more than lethal though. Holding it "the bad way" gives you a very effective lever for taking someone to the ground. And if you do hold it at the third-mark, its very easy to let go of the far end, rotate your hand, and grab it at the two-thirds up mark without scooting your other hand- or go back to holding it long with the reverse motion. Its not really an either-or, you can have both available at any time. best way to hold it is usually like a mop though. Its the hardest to deal with, you cant really block it, the knees and shins are excellent targets, and you can just as easily hit the balls, the chin, the underside of their arms, or thrust it straight into their chest while still having a good way to crack at one side of their head. You can also use it this way regardless of how close they are, so no need to switch grips. There are worse things to have in your hand on a trail, and no one is going to look at you funny for having one. On the street- most people will just assume you're homeless.
You can hold it close to the middle to use the middle of the staff as a short range weapon. It is not the primary grip for the staff which is typically an over under grip at the end like you said. But sometimes you need to use the entire weapon - exactly like how you may change from orthodox to southpaw, sugarfoot, etc. In this case, you might bring the staff down on the opponent’s hip, elbow, or other boney protrusions. These targets are open to striking through the application of footwork. You know how you can use an arm drag to take the back? Extrapolate that with your curtain rod.
I actually commissioned a 6' octagonal quarterstaff to use as a walking stick on hikes. I know it's not the best or most practical weapon but with a rubber butt it's a functional walking stick and if I'm ever attacked by javalina or some brigands hop out from behind a bush I think a whack would dissuade them.
I love the scene in My favourite kungfu movie- kung fu hustle- when all the fighters gather their weapons which are also everyday items, hanging loops for the tailor, long staffs the baker uses. Ect
Well the staff is effective for me, wslecially since im a farmer boy now. I use ut as a walking stick and q make shift fishing rod been used to drive out some wild dogs. But if im in a city id rather get a knife or a taser gun or a flashlight even. I can't weild a staff there. Maybe a short stick.
The last bit is a huge aspect of why it's good to train Bo, but actually more Jo - as things like rake and broom handles tend to be the shorter length. I'd also have no problem cracking someone with such if appropriate, but might hesitate if there was a blade on the end.
You would hold the bo in the middle for close fast strikes, there are two rages you can fight with a bo not jut one. Also the bo is one of the best weapons to learn correctly because they are everywhere.
The better option for a close range strike that shows up in the historical treatises and manuals is different versions of, if someone gets past the end of the staff you basically just keep the grip hes talking about and reverse the swing motion and strike with the butt end of the spear. It's simple quick and effective up close and doesn't require adjusting the primary fighting grip.
"When are you gonna use a bo staff in a real fight" Well I'm literally looking for a more practical time like hiking and stuff. I think it'd just be good to know and be comfortable with it as a weapon because if it means a slight edge, then I'll gladly take that small percentage.
Bo is incredibly powerful weapon. There is way too much historical evidence for that. Warrior class all over the world used it as a weapon. In Japan as well. There's a lot of Koryu that uses bo as a weapon. One strike with a bo could literally drop you dead. Also when warriors used spears, when they lose their spear tip, they don't just drop the weapon and draw a sword. There's a reason why they were skilled in using a staff. I don't think a staff is a bad weapon and you can do way more they just "hurt" someone. That can be easily tested lol. Try sparring with it, no equipment :D
Thank you! And don't worry, it's not like I'm the first person to make a video on the staff. You could probably make a video a lot more detailed than mine, since it looks like you actually USE the staff regularly! Although, I have learned that calling the staff a "bad weapon" results in many angry comments lol. You have been warned! 😂
@@ArmchairViolence Haha, I can imagine. I do tend to favour it a lot although definitely more towards the Jo, much shorter than a Bo or Quarterstaff. It has more transitional skills with it being a similar length to pool cues, broom handles etc.
Yeh, amateurs who just wanna talk about how cool weapons combat is IN THEORY will talk about all the cool techniques you can do, those of us who train to fight just go, "How can I make this hurt the most?"
Staff was used All over the world for self defence, as many people used it as a walking aid. I understand, that for an American, people who drive from their bedroom to the kitchen, the concept of walking to get places is kinda new ;-) But in the olden days people used to walk for tens and, sometimes, hundreds of miles to get places. So having a big stick for support, seemed to work rather fine. Over time, people worked out that metal weapons were outside of financial reach of many, but if you get ambushed by robbers or get attacked by a wild animal (I know most of you won't believe that any of those existed) the best way to defend is not to reach for a knife, which might not be always easily accessible and definitely no always suitable, but to use a BIG Fcuk All Stick which is already in Your Hands!.. Staff has Multiple uses, and for some of them holding it in the middle is the correct way, very much as grubbing your own sword by the blade is correct for some sword techniques, but I don't expect all you, people, to know that :-P
I hate to be that "well actually" guy. But the main advantage to learning to use a staff or any stick really is that the general skills learned to use one are universal across most melee weapons. Including, but not limited to spears, swords, clubs, axes, greatswords, and yes, curtain rods and that weirdly long pink plastic thing your mom keeps in her sock drawer.
One of my recent videos was on Conor! But there will probably be more in the future. He's a big star with a cool style. I'm honestly not even sure if O'Malley is worth analyzing yet. I only cover fights I'm really excited to see, and I'm never excited for his upcoming fights. He needs to fight some bigger names, and then I might have to do a video on him.
Duuuude....I like your vids...I really do...but, please stop saying Bo-Staff, by saying that you could also say Bo-Bo or staff-staff....pls...it hurts my ears :D :D
Gotta speak the language you're speaking. In English, a bo staff is distinct from a quarter staff, which is distinct from the word "staff" to mean "faculty." Just as "chai tea" is a specific kind of spiced tea, and regular "tea" is black tea. Study enough languages, and you quickly realize the absurdity of trying to isolate loan words and enforce their native meaning and/or pronunciation. If you think Japanese doesn't use and abuse English loan words...it definitely does.
Well said. The main reason a Bo or staff was popular is because sharp weapons like sword, spear were more restricted by authority, or more likely to cause trouble.
They used the wrong kind of BO STAFF. As Red oak is still too weak for proper staff. That was a big mistake, they based it on a training weapon. Left out rattan staff. And shaolin staff which is like the king of weapons. But you are right, they held it wrong or at least not best. I made a video to tell them. At least seth saw it, i think.
Pet peeve of mine...Please stop calling it a "Bo Staff"... You're basically repeating yourself. "Bo" is the Japanese word for Staff. If you're gonna use the technical term, use the right language Japanese: Bo Chinese: Gun (Pronounced sort of like Goon) Korean: Bong (Yes you say it like it's spelled Lol)
In American English, it's known as the "bo staff." You can't apply Japanese conventions to English phrases for the same reason you can't apply English pronunciation to English loan words found in Japanese. At this point, "bo" is a loan word. If you really care about using the correct Japanese form, you should be spelling it bō.
I find the way you disregard a quarterstaff by saying firearms existed annoying, the only available firearms at the time took about 30 seconds to a minute to reload and weren't very accurate or instantly lethal thus making a sword or staff a MUCH better choice than a gun at the time. Add to that the many depictions of a peasent man or a traveller using a quarterstaff for self defense in German and French manuscripts and I start to think you don't know what youre talking about.
@@TristanBehrens and most musket balls didn't create an exit wound. Too much resistance because of the shape. Lotta balls caught in people chest and legs and shit but people didn't instantly drop dead. They'd die of surgery complications or infection.
This is the third video in a row I've seen from you where you oversimplify or misconstrue something to the point of having wrong information. Mid-gripping a staff is vitally important because it gives you closer-range options. It also lets you hit from two angles instead of one. Grip-changing effectively changes the length and shape of the weapon, meaning the staff practically transforms into another weapon in a fraction of a second. Grip-changing also helps if it gets grabbed. And it lets you do those jabs you were talking about without leaving the staff hanging out in front of you where it's slower for you to move, and easier for the enemy to redirect or parry (both due to bad leverage at the far end). EDIT: Almost forgot! "Guns existed" doesn't mean the staff is useless. People used swords and spears in military conflicts for hundreds of years after they had guns. And you're assuming that the same person who has a staff, maybe as a walking stick, would also be carrying a gun. That's extra weight, it might be illegal, it's expensive, and old guns like muskets were borderline useless for self-defense.
In general, you’re on the right track, but don’t dismiss Okinawan styles that use the static 1/3 grip. Sure it sacrifices a little power distance, and flexibility, but it is still very effective. Holding the Bo in the final third will allow powerful baseball bat strikes but sacrifices flexibility, and agility. There is a third option, but it requires quite a lot of training. As for your comment that it isn’t a good weapon. There you are dead wrong. Name any handheld short weapon (not a gun), including a sword, and a bo is my first pick against them. But, I do have a lot of training. The flexibility, distance and power are hard to match. Sword and spear are worthy alternatives though. But, for practicality, a Bo isn’t available in today’s world, true enough. Oh yeah, Just FYI, A skilled Bo or sinawali practitioner can make the weapon - look - like it is swirling. It isn’t. leave the baton twirling to the majorettes. If I want to see some baton twirling I’d rather the performer show some leg.
Can I ask a question, like I know it's not the best "weapon" but I think it looks cool, hurts but doesn't kill (and you wouldn't get arrested for carrying it), has a big distance but also *could* work is mid range since you have two ends and can attack twice as much, and SHOULD probably work against more than one person because of the big momentum and reach, also I think you opt to bonk, disarm or even strike the legs of your opponent using it, it's a blunt weapon afterall.
Bonus to a quarter staff/ Bō staff: it’s legal EVERYWHERE. If you live in some bs country where you can’t have guns or swords or something like that, a staff is a damn good option. Especially in the form of a stout walking stick since you can take it anywhere, but that’s more Jō staff territory which I would argue is a more practical thing to learn. But staffs are cool, no matter what flavor you like.
This may shock some, but Aikido (and I'm not kidding) is the best martial art to know how to use a Bo/Jo staff: Aikido use the Bo/Jo EXACTLY as is said in this video: the handling of the weapon, the techniques are simple, direct, fast and the forms actually are teaching you legit defense and attack patterns. There's some YT channels that used the Aikijo (Aikido's way of staff) in sparring sessions, and they did it pretty well. Don't belive me? fine, I provide proofs: look for "Alexander Gent Aikido Sparring"
Had a friend tell me you hold the staff in the middle and can strike with either end really really really fast "Right left right left right left" he said, and that it would DESTROY a spear user 9/10... i told him he was a moron... he still believes it to this day. Thank you for this video, hope it keeps other people for believing stupid shit.
For the sake of self defense, I found that no one ever in any situation confiscates a staff from you. Just get a cool decorated hiking stick and no establishment in America will treat you any differently, worst case scenario you just pretend to have a limp. Using it, it's by far the safest I have ever felt as I always technically have a weapon already in my hand. So, for me, yes, learning to use a bo staff is 100% relevant, moreso than learning to use any other weapon.
The Broomstick is basically a bo staff that you have in your house. I always thought of bo staff stuff as an improvised weapon rather than a specific weapon.
Great video...though the duct taping a knife just plain doesn't work. Try stabbing something with it and you will see but the concept is completely right that a spear is awesome.
I practiced Meyer staff as it’s one of my favorite HEMA disciplines. I work as a utility company lineman in a high crime inner city and have a thick 7 foot long fiberglass pole with a sharp 2.5lb spike one the end for jab testing poles and I’m certain that I could do horrible things with it
Sorry sir …your history lesson may be correct but your base premise is inaccurate…a bow staff is an excellent self defense weapon the problem with your argument is you are assuming two parties are squaring up evenly…self defense rarely works that way
Fairly good, but I can expand a bit more. Do you know how you move your hands when you grab an axe? You grab it with one hand near the head and one at the end of the handle to raise it, and you slide the top hand near the bottom hand when you swing it. That's the best way to swing the Bo. Now about the spinning. It is done to hide the angle of the attack, and sort of shield you, but you are not doing it that way. The spinning is what makes the Bo different than a spear. Both ends are equally likely to hit you
I think that the holding it in the middle thing is probably a lot more effective when you've got a cane sized stick and you got to fight while somebody has more so gotten in your face and your trying to make your weapon a bit more effective at close range so that you can fight in closer quarters more effectively but I think that once the stick has gets too long or that it got to the size of a bo staff there is no longer as much of ability to do anything with it that close of a range and that holding it in the middle to sort of try to choke up on it in order to use it at a closer range starts to become ineffective and defeats the purpose mainly because you've got so much stick that you just simply can't choke up on it in order to make it so that you can use it at that close of a range.I have seen and heard about people using canes in that fashion but I think it's mainly because they happen to be just the right size in which doing so might possibly be an advantage in some situations and that you can possibly more so get away with that.
I was taught, right or wrong, The Okinawan staff was held different because Okinawa is an iron poor country and thus limited number of metal for weapons. Was also taught that the staff was the substitute for a spear or halberd style weapons . Easier to beat each other with out a deadly blade. Right or wrong this was what I was taught .
@@mondaysinsanity8193 I think my point was more to the line that the Okinawan staff predates the government ban on weapons, and that they hold it closer to center because they use both ends more frequently than other systems. But then it was 3 am and had just got up for work so I m not 100% sure where I was trying to go.
True! 😀 Btw my longest staff is for curtain too, and bought in the local chinese shop. 😀 Just one thing, bo means staff, so when it is called bo staff, is like saying staff staff.
A cane would probably be better than nunchucks. Nunchucks are very difficult to use and don't work well when actually hitting something. Hopefully I understood your question correctly!
For clarifying: when training using the center of the staff is that if for some reason you can't use all the length to strike, examples: tiny places, crowded places, the problem is that in movies is "cooler" to use that grip Also, it's adviced for protection of your other hand to let the staff cover you elbow on the lower half, but I only use it when necessary
I was taught that the value of training staff is that they provide an easily accessible object that you can practice the concepts of balance and range with. It's a good beginning tool, for learning how to manipulate something in a controlled and focused way.
Joe rogan has stated several times in his podcast that there are alot of martial artist wannebes on RUclips out there that use real fancy English to make them sound real intelligent and know what there talking about. This guy is a perfect example
Holding it in the middle is ineffective? I don’t know man, just went and hit the heavy bag with a Bo staff, holding it in the middle, and it was effective to say the least. If your point was that it’s better holding the end, that’s a good point, if you have the room. If your point was just to agitate some people, you got that done too.
I was about to say “I’ve never fought a bo staff” but.. crap. Dope video!
Lol what a twist ending
M. Night Shyamalan better WATCH OUT!
This is something anyone who practices any version of historic martial arts or reenactment fighting knows. After learning the basics with a spear, axe or any "pole" weapon period you realize two things 1) this is still an effective weapon even if you take off the sharp bit and 2) it's way more effective with the sharp bit on it. That's exactly what a bo or quarterstaff is... A spear or axe with the tip knocked off.
In the 2012 TMNT, Donatello upgraded his bot staff by installing a retractable blade on the end.
“Bro, that’s just a spear with extra steps.”
As a bonus, they're really useful on hikes. You get walking support and you have a reasonably strong bludgeoning weapon that you'd never use.
Can be helpful if youre worried about wolves and such to be fair
@@mondaysinsanity8193Toss it and hope they chase it
@@mondaysinsanity8193a feral dog maybe but wolves hunt in packs and it’s not the wolf you see that’ll get you
@@mondaysinsanity8193 i mean if your sticks sharp at the end sure otherwise you probably not gonna win
If I remember correctly there's a bit more to the use of quarter staffs in English history. They might not have called it a quarter staff that early, but for example in old Robin Hood tales it's a frequently used weapon. And it's a very good one tbh. It can't compete with a spear, but I'd take a proper quarter staff over a sword any day. It has more reach, is very versatile and can break an arm or crack a skull with a proper swing. Depending on the quality of the steel it might even destroy a sword's blade. I've done some light weapon sparring with people who knew how to use these and it's honestly scary.
People really underestimate what 6 feet of leverage does to force equations
Idk man... a sword isn't that weak either, it would be down to who is better with their respective weapon (or so i think)
@@jestfullgremblim8002 of course, skill is always a deciding factor.
It makes sense because:
- against blade
- learning sword took more talent & time
As you said, it can't compete with spear.
Historically, sword vs spear,
not sword vs quarterstaff.
Shaolin as an example, they use quarterstaff because it's easier to use if you don't want to kill,
but against a good fighter, they use broadsword attached to the quarterstaff.
@@budisutanto5987 eeh, I wouldn't agree with the "it takes less time" part. Both thake a lot of training to master. It's just that a stick isn't expensive, whilst a sword is. Even a farmer cpuld pick up a stick and practice with it if he wanted to. But he couldn't get a sword.
The non killing part is also not true. A quarter staff is deadly. They are very heavy and solid. Getting cracked in the head with one can kill you pretty quickly.
I have never in my life given a crap about a bo staff. But now I feel like openly mocking any fool I see holding a staff in the middle.
It's one of my favourite weapons
Bo means staff, fool.
You can hold a Bo, not a bo staff that's a staff staff, at the one third and two thirds mark, and it works perfectly well. In any realistic combat situation you will switch between multiple grips.
Yeah, i just commented about the "Staff Staff" thing lol
I just wish people would quit saying bo staff.
Bo Bo. Staff Staff. Lol
In Europe the quarterstaff is one of the most effective self defence weapon,a sword stands no chance against it,it can block other polearsm,it is capable to damage even armored opponents,and it was incospicuous and used for traveling. I believe you sold this weapon short here,in China it was also used as a battlefield weapon. I cannot argue that a spear is even more effective,and a later polearm like an halberd or partizan even more,but they are much much more harder to come by and justify than a big stick that i can probably carry even today on the road to Santiago De Compostela
Of course a sword stands a chance against it. I’d rather face a quarter staff than a polearm any day of the week
@@indefenceofthetraditionalma then youd die.
Reach advantage is a huge and you are DRASTICALLY underestimating the power of a quarterstaff
All it needs is a single hit to the dome and your done itll easily snap bones and jabbing with can pretty easily knock the wind out of you at best.
Its also faster than most swords and has a pretty decent chance to jist power through a block.
Sword and shield? Maybd
But just a sword? With equal skill swordsman dies or is crippled everytime
Dont fuck with the mighty stick
@@indefenceofthetraditionalma btw this is historically back up theres multiple historical instances of big stick beating sword
@@mondaysinsanity8193 I think you might want to re read my comment.
@@indefenceofthetraditionalma well thats just a weird way to right that
And completely off yopic?
Of course a sword stands a chance
Therefore id use a quarter staff WITH A SWORD????
Unless you meant where firearms are widely carried, no, a quarterstaff is not not valuable because firearms existed. That makes 0 sense whatsoever. Just because people COULD have a firearm, doesnt mean that they will. A staff is still much more effective than your hands, especially quarterstaffs given their length and weight. Talk to any hema practitioner.
You do know that whole "farming tool" stuff concerning the staff is myth, right? That only applies to a few weapons, mostly polearms.
The staff isnt a bad weapon- there are simply better weapons. Its more than lethal though.
Holding it "the bad way" gives you a very effective lever for taking someone to the ground.
And if you do hold it at the third-mark, its very easy to let go of the far end, rotate your hand, and grab it at the two-thirds up mark without scooting your other hand- or go back to holding it long with the reverse motion. Its not really an either-or, you can have both available at any time.
best way to hold it is usually like a mop though. Its the hardest to deal with, you cant really block it, the knees and shins are excellent targets, and you can just as easily hit the balls, the chin, the underside of their arms, or thrust it straight into their chest while still having a good way to crack at one side of their head. You can also use it this way regardless of how close they are, so no need to switch grips.
There are worse things to have in your hand on a trail, and no one is going to look at you funny for having one. On the street- most people will just assume you're homeless.
You can hold it close to the middle to use the middle of the staff as a short range weapon. It is not the primary grip for the staff which is typically an over under grip at the end like you said. But sometimes you need to use the entire weapon - exactly like how you may change from orthodox to southpaw, sugarfoot, etc. In this case, you might bring the staff down on the opponent’s hip, elbow, or other boney protrusions. These targets are open to striking through the application of footwork. You know how you can use an arm drag to take the back? Extrapolate that with your curtain rod.
Now if someone breaks into my house while I’m in the bathroom I know to go for the shower rod
I actually commissioned a 6' octagonal quarterstaff to use as a walking stick on hikes. I know it's not the best or most practical weapon but with a rubber butt it's a functional walking stick and if I'm ever attacked by javalina or some brigands hop out from behind a bush I think a whack would dissuade them.
Having a walking stick that could ALSO be a staff is one of the few legit reasons to actually learn to use a staff lol
@@ArmchairViolence yeah and I don't think my jui jitsu would be effective against a javalina or bobcat.
The staff is plenty effective, it's okay to admit you don't know how to use it lol, you don't have to have the answers to everything.
I love the scene in My favourite kungfu movie- kung fu hustle- when all the fighters gather their weapons which are also everyday items, hanging loops for the tailor, long staffs the baker uses. Ect
Well the staff is effective for me, wslecially since im a farmer boy now. I use ut as a walking stick and q make shift fishing rod been used to drive out some wild dogs. But if im in a city id rather get a knife or a taser gun or a flashlight even. I can't weild a staff there. Maybe a short stick.
The last bit is a huge aspect of why it's good to train Bo, but actually more Jo -
as things like rake and broom handles tend to be the shorter length.
I'd also have no problem cracking someone with such if appropriate, but might hesitate if there was a blade on the end.
Me too
You would hold the bo in the middle for close fast strikes, there are two rages you can fight with a bo not jut one. Also the bo is one of the best weapons to learn correctly because they are everywhere.
The better option for a close range strike that shows up in the historical treatises and manuals is different versions of, if someone gets past the end of the staff you basically just keep the grip hes talking about and reverse the swing motion and strike with the butt end of the spear. It's simple quick and effective up close and doesn't require adjusting the primary fighting grip.
“If you can use a weapon that’s pointy or shooty, do that”…. Good advice Sifu.
Why chew your food when you can blend it all together and chug the pulp?
"I'm currently holding a curtain rod"
I didn't even notice, but I laughted so hard at that. 😂😂😂😂😂
"When are you gonna use a bo staff in a real fight"
Well I'm literally looking for a more practical time like hiking and stuff. I think it'd just be good to know and be comfortable with it as a weapon because if it means a slight edge, then I'll gladly take that small percentage.
you mean staff staff?
Bo Bo!
Bo is incredibly powerful weapon. There is way too much historical evidence for that. Warrior class all over the world used it as a weapon. In Japan as well. There's a lot of Koryu that uses bo as a weapon. One strike with a bo could literally drop you dead. Also when warriors used spears, when they lose their spear tip, they don't just drop the weapon and draw a sword. There's a reason why they were skilled in using a staff.
I don't think a staff is a bad weapon and you can do way more they just "hurt" someone. That can be easily tested lol. Try sparring with it, no equipment :D
even though the expandable was cool! the ends were all oiled up and your hands got messy… good video!!
You beat me to this! I had something similar planned in my to do list, however you covered most my points! Well made video 👍
Thank you! And don't worry, it's not like I'm the first person to make a video on the staff. You could probably make a video a lot more detailed than mine, since it looks like you actually USE the staff regularly!
Although, I have learned that calling the staff a "bad weapon" results in many angry comments lol. You have been warned! 😂
@@ArmchairViolence Haha, I can imagine. I do tend to favour it a lot although definitely more towards the Jo, much shorter than a Bo or Quarterstaff. It has more transitional skills with it being a similar length to pool cues, broom handles etc.
Make it then link it here! I'm curious.
Yeh, amateurs who just wanna talk about how cool weapons combat is IN THEORY will talk about all the cool techniques you can do, those of us who train to fight just go, "How can I make this hurt the most?"
Ah yes, the Staff Staff.
I've hit myself in the head practicing with my staff, it is way more dangerous than it looks
Staff was used All over the world for self defence, as many people used it as a walking aid.
I understand, that for an American, people who drive from their bedroom to the kitchen, the concept of walking to get places is kinda new ;-) But in the olden days people used to walk for tens and, sometimes, hundreds of miles to get places. So having a big stick for support, seemed to work rather fine.
Over time, people worked out that metal weapons were outside of financial reach of many, but if you get ambushed by robbers or get attacked by a wild animal (I know most of you won't believe that any of those existed) the best way to defend is not to reach for a knife, which might not be always easily accessible and definitely no always suitable, but to use a BIG Fcuk All Stick which is already in Your Hands!..
Staff has Multiple uses, and for some of them holding it in the middle is the correct way, very much as grubbing your own sword by the blade is correct for some sword techniques, but I don't expect all you, people, to know that :-P
Ahaha That curtain rod finish was perfect!
W pfp
epic twist ending lol.
I hate to be that "well actually" guy. But the main advantage to learning to use a staff or any stick really is that the general skills learned to use one are universal across most melee weapons. Including, but not limited to spears, swords, clubs, axes, greatswords, and yes, curtain rods and that weirdly long pink plastic thing your mom keeps in her sock drawer.
I have some serious doubts for that.
Do videos on Conor and O’Malley to pop those subs brother brother
Also want to hear your thoughts on them anyway
One of my recent videos was on Conor! But there will probably be more in the future. He's a big star with a cool style.
I'm honestly not even sure if O'Malley is worth analyzing yet. I only cover fights I'm really excited to see, and I'm never excited for his upcoming fights. He needs to fight some bigger names, and then I might have to do a video on him.
Well there are sticks everywhere where there are trees and because of range stick is superior to small knife
Duuuude....I like your vids...I really do...but, please stop saying Bo-Staff, by saying that you could also say Bo-Bo or staff-staff....pls...it hurts my ears :D :D
Gotta speak the language you're speaking. In English, a bo staff is distinct from a quarter staff, which is distinct from the word "staff" to mean "faculty." Just as "chai tea" is a specific kind of spiced tea, and regular "tea" is black tea.
Study enough languages, and you quickly realize the absurdity of trying to isolate loan words and enforce their native meaning and/or pronunciation. If you think Japanese doesn't use and abuse English loan words...it definitely does.
Well done. Keep working on the channel.
I'm here cause Mike said so. And I see you got others in your channel that are familiar. 🙏
LMFAO... "The good version of Mulan"
that one got me!
Well said. The main reason a Bo or staff was popular is because sharp weapons like sword, spear were more restricted by authority, or more likely to cause trouble.
They used the wrong kind of BO STAFF. As Red oak is still too weak for proper staff. That was a big mistake, they based it on a training weapon.
Left out rattan staff.
And shaolin staff which is like the king of weapons.
But you are right, they held it wrong or at least not best.
I made a video to tell them. At least seth saw it, i think.
Pet peeve of mine...Please stop calling it a "Bo Staff"... You're basically repeating yourself. "Bo" is the Japanese word for Staff. If you're gonna use the technical term, use the right language
Japanese: Bo
Chinese: Gun (Pronounced sort of like Goon)
Korean: Bong (Yes you say it like it's spelled Lol)
In American English, it's known as the "bo staff." You can't apply Japanese conventions to English phrases for the same reason you can't apply English pronunciation to English loan words found in Japanese. At this point, "bo" is a loan word.
If you really care about using the correct Japanese form, you should be spelling it bō.
@@ArmchairViolence Thanks for correcting me, I'll remember that :-)
I find the way you disregard a quarterstaff by saying firearms existed annoying, the only available firearms at the time took about 30 seconds to a minute to reload and weren't very accurate or instantly lethal thus making a sword or staff a MUCH better choice than a gun at the time. Add to that the many depictions of a peasent man or a traveller using a quarterstaff for self defense in German and French manuscripts and I start to think you don't know what youre talking about.
That being said great video regardless love seeing people shine light on misconceptions about dark age weapons
Weren't instantly lethal? My guy, the exit wound from a musket shot is the size of a dinner plate...
@@TristanBehrens and most musket balls didn't create an exit wound. Too much resistance because of the shape. Lotta balls caught in people chest and legs and shit but people didn't instantly drop dead. They'd die of surgery complications or infection.
@@bann9607 If you're going to make sweeping statements like that I'd like to see the numbers, please
@@TristanBehrens do your own research and I won't have to spout statistics you'll just know I'm right
This is the exact video I needed, was theory crafting a martial artist character with a staff and how it would work.
This is the third video in a row I've seen from you where you oversimplify or misconstrue something to the point of having wrong information. Mid-gripping a staff is vitally important because it gives you closer-range options. It also lets you hit from two angles instead of one. Grip-changing effectively changes the length and shape of the weapon, meaning the staff practically transforms into another weapon in a fraction of a second. Grip-changing also helps if it gets grabbed. And it lets you do those jabs you were talking about without leaving the staff hanging out in front of you where it's slower for you to move, and easier for the enemy to redirect or parry (both due to bad leverage at the far end).
EDIT: Almost forgot! "Guns existed" doesn't mean the staff is useless. People used swords and spears in military conflicts for hundreds of years after they had guns. And you're assuming that the same person who has a staff, maybe as a walking stick, would also be carrying a gun. That's extra weight, it might be illegal, it's expensive, and old guns like muskets were borderline useless for self-defense.
In general, you’re on the right track, but don’t dismiss Okinawan styles that use the static 1/3 grip. Sure it sacrifices a little power distance, and flexibility, but it is still very effective. Holding the Bo in the final third will allow powerful baseball bat strikes but sacrifices flexibility, and agility. There is a third option, but it requires quite a lot of training. As for your comment that it isn’t a good weapon. There you are dead wrong. Name any handheld short weapon (not a gun), including a sword, and a bo is my first pick against them. But, I do have a lot of training. The flexibility, distance and power are hard to match. Sword and spear are worthy alternatives though. But, for practicality, a Bo isn’t available in today’s world, true enough. Oh yeah, Just FYI, A skilled Bo or sinawali practitioner can make the weapon - look - like it is swirling. It isn’t. leave the baton twirling to the majorettes. If I want to see some baton twirling I’d rather the performer show some leg.
Can I ask a question, like I know it's not the best "weapon" but I think it looks cool, hurts but doesn't kill (and you wouldn't get arrested for carrying it), has a big distance but also *could* work is mid range since you have two ends and can attack twice as much, and SHOULD probably work against more than one person because of the big momentum and reach, also I think you opt to bonk, disarm or even strike the legs of your opponent using it, it's a blunt weapon afterall.
Bonus to a quarter staff/ Bō staff: it’s legal EVERYWHERE. If you live in some bs country where you can’t have guns or swords or something like that, a staff is a damn good option. Especially in the form of a stout walking stick since you can take it anywhere, but that’s more Jō staff territory which I would argue is a more practical thing to learn. But staffs are cool, no matter what flavor you like.
This may shock some, but Aikido (and I'm not kidding) is the best martial art to know how to use a Bo/Jo staff:
Aikido use the Bo/Jo EXACTLY as is said in this video: the handling of the weapon, the techniques are simple, direct, fast and the forms actually are teaching you legit defense and attack patterns. There's some YT channels that used the Aikijo (Aikido's way of staff) in sparring sessions, and they did it pretty well.
Don't belive me? fine, I provide proofs: look for "Alexander Gent Aikido Sparring"
Had a friend tell me you hold the staff in the middle and can strike with either end really really really fast "Right left right left right left" he said, and that it would DESTROY a spear user 9/10...
i told him he was a moron... he still believes it to this day. Thank you for this video, hope it keeps other people for believing stupid shit.
For the sake of self defense, I found that no one ever in any situation confiscates a staff from you. Just get a cool decorated hiking stick and no establishment in America will treat you any differently, worst case scenario you just pretend to have a limp. Using it, it's by far the safest I have ever felt as I always technically have a weapon already in my hand. So, for me, yes, learning to use a bo staff is 100% relevant, moreso than learning to use any other weapon.
The Broomstick is basically a bo staff that you have in your house.
I always thought of bo staff stuff as an improvised weapon rather than a specific weapon.
Great video...though the duct taping a knife just plain doesn't work. Try stabbing something with it and you will see but the concept is completely right that a spear is awesome.
I practiced Meyer staff as it’s one of my favorite HEMA disciplines. I work as a utility company lineman in a high crime inner city and have a thick 7 foot long fiberglass pole with a sharp 2.5lb spike one the end for jab testing poles and I’m certain that I could do horrible things with it
Sorry sir …your history lesson may be correct but your base premise is inaccurate…a bow staff is an excellent self defense weapon the problem with your argument is you are assuming two parties are squaring up evenly…self defense rarely works that way
I've seen some footage to suggest that a staff is a decent matchup against any melee weapon that isn't a polearm (it was Skallagrim).
Fairly good, but I can expand a bit more. Do you know how you move your hands when you grab an axe? You grab it with one hand near the head and one at the end of the handle to raise it, and you slide the top hand near the bottom hand when you swing it. That's the best way to swing the Bo.
Now about the spinning. It is done to hide the angle of the attack, and sort of shield you, but you are not doing it that way. The spinning is what makes the Bo different than a spear. Both ends are equally likely to hit you
I'm just here cause I played the wukong game 😤 cause I think I'm the destined one 🤔
Holding bo is actually best and easy way to attack.if you can u can add distance by holding it bit higher that’s easy.
I think that the holding it in the middle thing is probably a lot more effective when you've got a cane sized stick and you got to fight while somebody has more so gotten in your face and your trying to make your weapon a bit more effective at close range so that you can fight in closer quarters more effectively but I think that once the stick has gets too long or that it got to the size of a bo staff there is no longer as much of ability to do anything with it that close of a range and that holding it in the middle to sort of try to choke up on it in order to use it at a closer range starts to become ineffective and defeats the purpose mainly because you've got so much stick that you just simply can't choke up on it in order to make it so that you can use it at that close of a range.I have seen and heard about people using canes in that fashion but I think it's mainly because they happen to be just the right size in which doing so might possibly be an advantage in some situations and that you can possibly more so get away with that.
I think a baseball bat is superior.
Thanks for ruining the Matrix Reloaded for me
I’d be interested to see you do a video on Filipino Kali or HEMA.
Bruhh I just wanted to defend myself not to k1ll anyone 😂
The ninja turtle donatello doesn't even hold his weapon in the middle
This kid needs to find himself a function Life. Bo vide are it.
Im amazed how Jet Li used the 3rods nunchoks
your talkin a lot of smack for someone in ball rupturing distance
I was taught, right or wrong, The Okinawan staff was held different because Okinawa is an iron poor country and thus limited number of metal for weapons. Was also taught that the staff was the substitute for a spear or halberd style weapons . Easier to beat each other with out a deadly blade. Right or wrong this was what I was taught .
Ok but you hold polearms the same way from the bottom not middle except specific situations like trying to bind up an armored oponent
@@mondaysinsanity8193 I think my point was more to the line that the Okinawan staff predates the government ban on weapons, and that they hold it closer to center because they use both ends more frequently than other systems. But then it was 3 am and had just got up for work so I m not 100% sure where I was trying to go.
@@sprk11 fair lol
I have a broom on me most of the day. It is my most trusted tool and devastating weapon.
I always though a Bannister would be a good weapon
There are more ways of using a staff with its full length than that method, I'd suggest checking out mainland Japanese bojutsu.
Such as Kukishin Ryu Bojutsu.
¡¡We are beating the jade emperor with this one!!
Harumph, fascinating, harumph.
Dude yes I carry a bow staff
True! 😀 Btw my longest staff is for curtain too, and bought in the local chinese shop. 😀
Just one thing, bo means staff, so when it is called bo staff, is like saying staff staff.
Donatello gonna be proud of you🗿
What about quarter staff?
No clue that you have no clue
Donatello
How long is the bo staff?
The West is done. R.I.P
What about canne de combat ik its not a staff but what do u think is better the cane or the nunchucks
A cane would probably be better than nunchucks. Nunchucks are very difficult to use and don't work well when actually hitting something.
Hopefully I understood your question correctly!
I have a Bo staff at home
For clarifying: when training using the center of the staff is that if for some reason you can't use all the length to strike, examples: tiny places, crowded places, the problem is that in movies is "cooler" to use that grip
Also, it's adviced for protection of your other hand to let the staff cover you elbow on the lower half, but I only use it when necessary
I was taught that the value of training staff is that they provide an easily accessible object that you can practice the concepts of balance and range with. It's a good beginning tool, for learning how to manipulate something in a controlled and focused way.
Joe rogan has stated several times in his podcast that there are alot of martial artist wannebes on RUclips out there that use real fancy English to make them sound real intelligent and know what there talking about. This guy is a perfect example
A Bo Staff is just a glorified broom stick.
a broom stick is a bo staff past its prime
Bo means staff so saying bo staff is just saying staff staff.... there's something for part three of stupid things martial artist say.
Holding it in the middle is ineffective? I don’t know man, just went and hit the heavy bag with a Bo staff, holding it in the middle, and it was effective to say the least. If your point was that it’s better holding the end, that’s a good point, if you have the room. If your point was just to agitate some people, you got that done too.
You re right, in fact middle is very effective in short distance, you can use the two sides fast or use it like a short spear (strong)
@@zalotv2374 right on👍
Basic? Talking too much! 😅
Fantastic video