How to Learn to Fight With Tonfas

The tonfa is a traditional Okinawan weapon that is considered the basis for certain modern police batons. Tonfas are diverse weapons that are intended to be wielded in pairs. Tonfas generally consist of a 24 inch shaft with a perpendicular handle that is a few inches long protruding. The weapon can be made from flat or circular cut wood. Traditional tonfas were fixed; however, some modern versions are equipped with swivel mounts that allow the shaft to be twirled while gripping the shorter handle.

Things You'll Need

  • Tonfas
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Instructions

    • 1

      Learn the basic tonfa grips which consist of holding the weapon by the short perpendicular handle or the long shaft. Both ends of the tonfa can also be held in order to use the weapon to block strikes and blows.

    • 2

      Hold the tonfas by the short handle with the long shaft protecting the arm. Wielded in this way, the shaft of the tonfas can be used to strike with a chopping inward or outward motion of the arm. They can also be employed in a punching motion to stab an opponent with the end.

    • 3

      Practice swinging the shaft of the tonfa to strike offensive blows. By twirling the tonfa while holding the short handle you can build up momentum which can give your strikes more power.

    • 4

      Hold the tonfa by the handle and use it in a stabbing motion to attack with the shaft end. This attack can be delivered with the long or the short end of the shaft.