Christopher Adamchek
Purple Belt
Prime example of close quarter bo strategy
Block, strike, strip, jam, kick, range, strike
(Slow mo)
Block, strike, strip, jam, kick, range, strike
(Slow mo)
Close quarter bo sparring strategy
- Thread starter Christopher Adamchek
- Start date
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- bo staffs
Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
Both people are taking a middle grip on the bo, yet spend a lot of time outside of that range. At times it’s seems like they are reaching for each other.
Are you in the video?
Are you in the video?
OP
OP
Christopher Adamchek
Purple Belt
Happens with all weapons floating out of range, and when you think of mid grip you only have 2ft to work with.
Im on the right.
Im on the right.
Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
Yeah, the truth of the matter is that when real engagement happens, bones get broken. So there is a real, and necessary, separation between actual use, and drills or sparring. Safety requires it.
What is the purpose in mid grip versus outer grip I've spent some time sparring friends (with training), and what we've discovered is holding the end of the bo seems to be much more effective than holding the middle, if the other person has a bo as well. Hae you noticed/been able to use any advantages holding the middle in actual sparring sessions?
From my meager experience, mid-grip is faster in transition and blocking, and gives you quick access to both ends, so you're attacking with both hands. Outer grip gives you range and adds power to big moves. I teach sliding between them as needed, and would be more likely to use the outer grip at that distance, unless I can close to jam (like a transition from striking distance to clinch).
From what I've experienced, just holding onto outer grip gives you the range, and the flexibility from midgrip can't overcome that. This is something where I've seriously tried and practiced midgrip since I prefer it, but just could not win over outergrip. I would need either video proof or personal experience of someone beating me to trust in midgrip, even as a transition phrase.
OP
OP
Christopher Adamchek
Purple Belt
So most arts that use staff, use outer grip with transitions to mid grip.
"Traditional" okinawan bo techniques use almost entirely mid grip.
Outer grip gives you much greater range, good transitions, but limits strikes. You have a forehand, back hand, and thrust.
Mid-grip gives you a serious lack a range but everything is quicker. You have a forehand, back hand, and thrust on both ends real quick, as well as a center block/strike. 7 vs 3
Personally i usually float a lot between the two but mid-grip is really useful and helps your reaction. I can do a video of outer grip vs mid-grip
"Traditional" okinawan bo techniques use almost entirely mid grip.
Outer grip gives you much greater range, good transitions, but limits strikes. You have a forehand, back hand, and thrust.
Mid-grip gives you a serious lack a range but everything is quicker. You have a forehand, back hand, and thrust on both ends real quick, as well as a center block/strike. 7 vs 3
Personally i usually float a lot between the two but mid-grip is really useful and helps your reaction. I can do a video of outer grip vs mid-grip
I agree that in staff vs. staff there's a distinct advantage to outer grip. Mid grip is for closer work. Since I'm training to use against either a weapon (could be knife, stick, baseball bat, etc.) or empty hand, the ability to change those distances becomes important. Against another staff or similar weapon, I'd change to mid grip when I lose the distance for outer grip (someone gets closer because I failed to control distance) or if I make an entry to cut off their ranged attack (if someone was better than me at outer grip distance, for instance).
But honestly, if someone is good at staff work and has a staff, I'm probably in trouble no matter what grip I'm using.
Anarax
Master Black Belt
There are inherent advantages and disadvantages on weapon grips. Yes, outer grip has a range/power advantage, but mid grip has a speed/versatility advantage. The situation, training methodology and our experiences will cause us to favor one grip over the other. However, both are viable grips.
Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
I favor the single-end grip, but with the ability to switch from one end to the other. But that is the bulk of my experience. I find it to be both quick and powerful. It does require more space, however.
I like to hold on the 1/3 and 2/3 spots. This way not only I can strike with both ends.
If I let go my
- left hand, I can strike toward my right with 2/3 length of the stick.
- right hand, I can strike toward my left with 2/3 length of the stick.
If I let go my
- left hand, I can strike toward my right with 2/3 length of the stick.
- right hand, I can strike toward my left with 2/3 length of the stick.
OP
OP
Christopher Adamchek
Purple Belt
Both grips can be advantageous against each other with experience. When using the mid grip, one i use a lot of forward pressure and two i can move faster. Here i use both against the other and a quick snippet of floating between the two as i normally would.
isshinryuronin
Senior Master
True traditional Okinawan karate is designed for close-in fighting. Seizing and grappling and short range strikes are the rule. Bo can also be very effective short range when held in thirds. Offensive capability is superior due to speedy combinations and power transmitted from the techniques with the bo for disarming and locking similar to empty hand fighting. Holding the bo at the end increases range and most useful for defense and keeping the opponent at a distance, although if the opponent slips thru the defense he will be in a great position to wreak havoc on the inside.
isshinryuronin
Senior Master
Mistyped correction: ..."speedy combinations and power transmitted from the body. It also allows for techniques with the bo for..."
