How to Read Books on Bo Staff Techniques

The bo is a traditional martial arts weapon that was popularized in the 1980s by Donatello of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." It is a long wooden staff that can be used as a striking weapon as well as a defensive tool to keep an attacker away from you. The bo still is commonly taught in dojos, and instructional books were common tools to learn bo staff techniques. Reading books on bo staff techniques requires patience and repetition if you want to learn properly.

Instructions

    • 1

      Find a room that has plenty of space for you to practice the bo while reviewing techniques from the book. Clear out any furniture or glass objects that could be broken.

    • 2

      Place the bo in the middle of the room and position the book in a place where you can go back and forth between it and the bo quickly.

    • 3

      Start at the beginning of the book and pay particular attention to the pictures and diagrams once it starts teaching techniques. The manuals will rely on step-by-step photos or drawings to show you specific hand positioning and movement for each strike, block and motion taught.

    • 4

      Hold the bo in a way that matches the photos or diagrams in the book. Slowly transition the bo to match each step's photo when working on a technique.

    • 5

      Repeat that technique in its entirety at slow speed as you get used to the handling and positioning. Follow all instructions and steps in the written text.

    • 6

      Increase the speed of the technique and repeat it until you are completely comfortable executing it without needing to refer to the book.

    • 7

      Move on to the next technique in the book. Start chaining techniques together and transitioning from one to another as you become more comfortable and experienced.