Combative Staff

with the Yokai Gumi

During this period of warm months and social distancing, the Yokai Gumi school of the Kurai Kotori Ryu will be studying the long staff in public parks in Denver, CO.

Few weapons are more universal than the staff. Staves of various lengths and heft exist throughout classical martial arts and contemporary combat systems, and they have never ceased to be relevant tools in circumstances of high conflict.

Using a curriculum centered on three fundamental aspects of fighting which are particularly salient in the study of pole arms, students will hone transferable skills which will benefit all of their martial studies:

CORE BODY DYNAMICS

You've heard that a weapon (or any tool) should be treated as an extension of yourself. But, that advice is pretty abstract and hard to use if you don't understand how to make that happen. This curriculum emphasizes the generation of power in core muscle groups and the orientation of the limbs to reduce wasted and contradictory motions which diminish and misdirect energy. In this way, the student learns to extend force from their center, through the limbs, through the weapon, and into the target.

STRATEGIC DISTANCING

Pole arms are less nimble than most other weapons and even unarmed opponents. The disadvantage of reduced agility is compensated for by increased range and leverage. This curriculum teaches the student to use the versatile range of the staff to its maximum efficacy. By keeping the opponent guessing about the boundary of the fight, the student overcomes their reduced agility through capitalizing on a different advantage. It is much easier said than done. These classes will show you how.

WEAPONS CONTROL & RETENTION

The staff can be a cumbersome tool to wield — more advanced pole arms are even more so. Poor grip shape during a clash, or even a strike, can send your staff flying out of your control. In these classes, the student will learn what facilitates consistent control of the weapon, especially while clashing and parrying with opponents.

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