Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
I understand your issues and I don't have the answers simply because I've not trained by in these methods. I have trained in chinese staff however, and I completely get what you are saying. I actually really appreciate your comments because it tells me that you actually "get" it and are really thinking about this stuff in a meaningful way. I think most people do not do so.Don't get me wrong. I'm not putting down the concept of teaching principles without simulating fighting, or kata. That's perfectly fine. I'm just concerned with the principles being taught. Or rather.... a lack of a specific mechanic that's being taught.
You know how using a sword is different than using a stick of same weight and properties just because a sword requires edge alignment? Edge alignment isn't necessary with a stick, so it isn't implemented. You can roll your limbs in a slightly more liberal way. With these staff videos, I'm concerned with how the body can generate force and then keep leverage. And when I see videos of people doing staff kata, they just don't look like their body is producing the necessary force, or keeping the body alignment to keep leverage. Not all of them, by any means. It's a somewhat subtle difference.
Take the Kyle Montagna video for example. Most of the time, that guy isn't actually striking. He's moving his body and staff to next position really quickly, but without impact. His body maintains the technical leverage it would need for the blow to contain force, but doesn't but force behind it. It's the same thing as twirling the staff back and forth. It looks fast, but without leverage, it doesn't matter. There isn't anything super wrong about the moves themselves though.
The traditional bo staff video has the opposite problem. That guy is trying to put force into his strikes, but his body doesn't have the leverage to make them land well.
Aside from that technical problem, I am personally a little confused about some of the moves in these videos. But that's a contextual style thing, and is outside my beef zone.
Since I'm not qualified to comment on this particular material, I'll mostly leave it at that, other than to say tha the Kyle montagna kata was sheer theatrical nonsense with a bit oth athleticism thrown in, but not real martial arts training. That stuff is embarrassing to watch, all the screaming and crap, featherweight Bo staff and jumping around. Ugh.
But I go back to the principles. Proper technique should express the principles, and on that level it is more important and more valuable than simply trying to recreate a fight.