How to Use Nunchaku

Don't call them numchucks! Nunchaku (noon-chuh-KU) originated in Okinawan and may have originally been a bridle. They were put to use as weapons against the occupying Japanese, who confiscated all other weapons on the island. Following are steps for using nunchaku in your martial arts training.

Things You'll Need

  • Nunchaku
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Begin with the nunchaku in one hand, gripped so the cord or chain is pulled taut. One stick will be lower than the other.

    • 2

      Release the stick held by the fingers and close your hand around the stick held by the thumb. Your hand should be at the end of the stick, with only a half-inch showing beyond the bottom of the fist.

    • 3

      Twirl the nunchaku in a Figure 8 pattern, holding your arm parallel to the floor with your fist at the centerline of your body. Take care to use your wrist only, and minimize the movement of your arm from side to side. Hold your other hand in front of your chest, palm vertical and fingers up to keep from hitting your own face.

    • 4

      Reverse the Figure 8. This is more difficult and dangerous because the free stick will be traveling toward your face at the height of the pattern. Begin the reverse Figure 8 by holding the free stick in your other hand, then swinging it down and away from your body. Keep your free hand in the safety position.

    • 5

      Practice striking your opponent using the Figure 8. When striking, move your arm across your body so the free stick doesn't bounce back from your opponent and hit you. If striking an opponent with a weapon, aim for his or her hands.

    • 6

      Shoot your nunchaku at your opponent by holding one stick vertically and pulling back on the other while holding it horizontally. Release the horizontal stick and flick your other wrist forward, causing the free stick to travel horizontally until it is arrested by the cord. The free stick will flip over and strike your opponent.

    • 7

      Block a blow by catching it in the cord and using the sticks to wrap the cord around your opponent's fist, foot or weapon. Jerk your opponent off balance or pull the weapon from his or her hands.