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A free mini-guide about the proficient use of martial weapons

Before talking about learning the practical use of real martial weapons, it is important to stress a few crucial aspects:

In the context of this guide, we refer only to the weapons used in traditional martial arts (and consequently to all the eventual similar improper weapons that we could exploit for self-defense purposes, as a deterrent or as a tool to preserve our integrity and that of those with us, read The 6DKF’s diagram about the use of violence)
Our school despises violence and the incorrect / reckless use of the martial skills / knowledge (even in the context of self-defense the rule of proportion is in force); we train to avoid violence and not to pursue it (read Violence and martial arts: the difference)
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Note – This article has been asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: a beginner-to-expert course).

Assuming that every clash must always be avoided, especially the armed one (read why in Best martial arts for self-defense), the reason why we (gradually) teach to use real weapons and with real preparation toward the armed clash is that:

Weapons in training are exceptional tools for educating the mind for concentration and the body for precision
We believe it is wrong, dangerous and counterproductive to delude people into knowing how to do something they cannot do
When personal safety is guaranteed, Kung Fu must seek excellence, in the fake or in the too choreographed or in the too-limited contexts, it is inaccessible
Last but not least, knowledge guided by reasonableness rarely leads to abuse, on the contrary, ignorance is fertile ground for improper (more or less voluntary) applications

A note by Master Kongling – For those far from our world it may seem absurd but for a real martial arts practitioner, martial weapons (swords, knives, etc.) are simply training tools to respect. We do not see them primarily as something to cause damage but as a bridge to improve ourselves.

The starting path to 6 Dragons Kung Fu’s weapons

Before starting, this is everything we need to know and have:

The basic equipment for training in 6DKF – What you need to start training
6DKF’s basic equipment: explanation – What is the purpose of each 6DKF’s training tool
Dojo (guan): rules, respect and etiquette – The fundamental safety and respect rules to be followed (especially with weapons)
Continue…

The general development path

This is the correct and gradual path to follow:

Physical conditioning: how it works – There cannot be weapons mastering without body conditioning
At the base of each weapon: the short stick – This is the first weapon to approach with
Learning the use of real weapons – The full path from the training weapons to the real ones
Continue…

The basic conditioning to embrace martial weapons

How to prepare our body to fully exploit the weapons’ potential:

Train wrists and arms with weights to get fluidity – If you do not have solid arms you cannot manage the inertia of a real weapon
Prepare arms, wrists and fingers to use weapons – How to start your conditioning path for the weapons
The “T” weight: an exercise to master weapons – An ancient conditioning method for the arms
The basics of short sticks: 5 basic exercises – A few exercises to initiate your path to the short sticks
Knife training: dexterity exercise with the keys – A basic but useful conditioning in everyday life
Secret Shaolin training tools – Body conditioning tools useful to build the fundamental physical base
Continue…

The rigid weapons

Learning to use rigid weapons:

The sword structure – At the base of the most important rigid weapon (but not only)
The basics of short sticks: safety and grip – How to start to work with the short sticks
Sword and combat: the first rule to learn – The core characteristics of most of the rigid weapons
The basics of short sticks: base strokes and stance – The first lines of attack and the stance
The most simple staff technique – How to hit with a long rigid weapon even at a short distance
Self-defense with knife: 4 basic rules – 4 practical tips to manage a fight with the knife
Self-defense: how to defend against knife attack – The right reaction in relation to our level of preparation
Learn how to fight with a knife – The basic dynamics of combat with the knife
Continue…

The flexible weapons

Learning to use flexible weapons:

Stance and basic rotations of the rope – Positions and rotations of the rope
Loop rotations of the rope – The first simple drill for a flexible weapon
Start moving with the rope – Adding space dislocation of the body
Starting with the Nunchaku – The first steps to learn to use the most famous flexible martial weapon
Flexible weapons: how to defend with a Nunchaku – Is it possible to defend with a flexible weapon?
Continue…

The exercises to perform with the weapons

The 6 Dragons Kung Fu’s exercises to build the right spatial intelligence / memory, reflexes (etc.):

Basic tools: the cloth – This is a fundamental part to educate our interactions with the opponents
Basic tools: the pole – To build strength and power we have to learn to hit unmoveable surfaces
Basic tools: the Hanging Speedball – A moving target is fundamental to build the right spatial intelligence
Weapon training: advanced exercise for spatial intelligence – How to bring our spatial intelligence to the next level
Advanced exercises: the throw readiness – How to improve in the dynamic throwing
Advanced core training for upper limbs – An advanced core training for our arms
Continue…

Sparring with weapons

How to do sparring – Once we have gained a certain level of skill we must (safely) test it against a non-collaborative partner
Sparring type 5: knife fighting – How to truly build combat capabilities with the knife (and understand how much is dangerous)
Sparring with Nunchaku – A good way to improve our skills and to trace a dividing line between juggling and real applications
Which Nunchaku should be used for sparring? – The right choice for the best results
Continue…

More about weapon

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Self-defense: how to defend against a Baseball bat – How to address an adversary with a baseball bat
Juggling and martial dexterity: the difference – The crucial difference that deludes most not-practitioners and beginners
Self-defense ineffective weapons: when & why – The limits of a strategy based on the wrong tools
Best self-defense weapon: comparison table [PDF] – A detailed table of evaluation of the most effective self-defense weapons

If you want to ask for specific articles or give priority to one that is already scheduled, read Learn Kung Fu online: request a specific article.

In-depth video courses

Basic 6 Dragons Kung Fu weapons – A video course about the path to the basics of 6 Dragons Kung Fu’s weapons
Weapon disarming: what works and what not – A realistic approach to disarming, what can be done and what not
Basic 6 Dragons Kung Fu Exercises – The fundamental conditioning exercises to build real martial skills
Advanced speed and reflexes training – The secrets of combat speed (from the instant improvements to deep training)
Self-defense basics: how to – A video course about the fundamentals of 6 Dragons Kung Fu’s self-defense method

A note by Master Kongling – Here you can find all the other video courses of our school: 6 Dragons Kung Fu: all video courses.

In-depth articles

How to make a PVC Nunchaku – How to make a very cheap and personalized training Nunchaku
Self-defense: how to hide a weapon on your body – How to have a weapon with us that is “concealed”

In-depth mini-guides

The 18 Shaolin weapons – The various lists of the famous “18” Shaolin martial weapons
The complete list of all the martial arts’ weapons – A constantly updated list of all the martial arts weapons (ancient and modern)
Self-Defense: is it possible to always be ready to fight? – A free self-defense mini-guide about being prepared for the unexpected
Martial arts conditioning – How to prepare body and mind for combat
Pain conditioning for combat – How to build the necessary basic resilience
Self-defense improvised weapons – How to convert into weapons daily objects and use them to fight
Ninja weapons: names and pictures – A visual guide to the typical ninja weapons
All the wooden martial arts weapons – All the martial combat tools made of wood
The short stick – How to use the short stick, the fundamental notions

A note by Master Kongling – Here you can find our free guides index Free online Kung Fu mini-guides, we update them periodically.

Author: Master Kongling

Founder of 6 Dragons Kung Fu.

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