weapon distraction??

[kajukenbo Dad]

At what age do you start the Bo or other weapons, with out.....distraction from  the students belt trainning  

[cirillo]

In my opinion weapons training should begin as soon as one starts training in the martial arts.  It is too important to wait until later and takes a significant amount of training to become proficient.

Now, it should of course not distract from well-rounded training in all areas, but we definitely require weapons training at all levels.  Why should it be a distraction from belt requirements?  It is part of ours.

When thinking about self-defense, it is rare that there are not objects around that could be used as weapons.  Should one not consider their use, they would be at a disadvantage in a street fight.  When do we want our students ready for this type of "no rules" confrontation?  I say as soon as possible.

I am not saying that waiting is a mistake, just that it results in a focus on other aspects of self defense first.  We prefer not to wait.

[D-Man]

I prefer about a year into training.  It's too important to wait longer, but to complex and distracting to start before a student is fluent in the bear essentials.  A lot of styles actually introduce the bo first because of the things that it teaches; how to punch, control, focus, bla, bla, bla.

[John Bishop]

Actually, the "Original Method" does not have any weapons (offensive) techniques.  There are several instructors who have supplemented this with Filipino and other weapons techniques, and some instructors who still teach the original method with no additional weapons training.  
So, if your instructor does not teach weapons, it would be best to get his/her opinion as to when you should take up the additional training.   A lot of instructors want their students to be well rooted in their basics before they add any supplemental training.

[Chief Instructor]

I believe weapons should be taught near the beginning of one's training. When someone is attacked, three things are likely to happen: 1) The attacker is bigger than you, 2) More than one attacker, or 3) The attacker/s has a weapon.

I want my students prepared for all 3 of these situations. Sure, we don't go always around carrying our weapons but if we know how they work we would be better able to take them away.

However if your instructor does not teach weapons, I recommend getting a solid base before going elsewhere to learn weapons. I personally recommend Modern Arnis. (Also, I agree with Sigung Bishop that out of respect, one should ask for instructor's permission prior to obtaining supplemental instruction.)

Respectfully,

[Jon Pack]

Good question!
It is interesting to see what others think and are doing.
Our school features traditional Bo training at green belt and Escrima at brown as basic requirements. They can go on to learn additional forms with the same weapons or choose to master others.
Some that are available are Nunchaku, Sai, Tonfa and Kama. Also Chinese Bo, Broadsword, Spear and Quando for a total of 10 available weapons.
I really enjoy seeing the parallel developement in the different schools.
Our students have to master all basics, forms, self defense techniques, and be proficient at sparring before they are accpeted as weapons students.
Good question and replies. I really look forward to these.
Thank you,
Jon Pack

[Karazenpo]

 This was 'cut & pasted' from a post of Andrew Evans:

As for weapon forms, Godin did not focus on those. Upon being asked why, he simply told a student that all one has to do is just grab a traditional streetfighting weapon like a gun, knife, or baseball bat.

Even though I have taken traditional weapons training I no longer emphasize it, feeling time can be better well spent in other areas. I do, however, make available the knife, the baton and the tonfa for I feel these are weapons that can be practically used in real life combat encounters. So, I tend to agree with the late Professor Godin on this issue. Just my opinion.  Respectfully, Shihan Joe