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Black Belt at Home Blog
So you want to master bo staff? Or, even just learn a few cool moves and basics – this is the Complete Beginner’s Guide to Bo Staff. You’ve found the right place to start.
1) Choosing the Right Bo
Why are you training with the Bo? = what type of bo you need to use.
- Freestyle Bo Training: If you are training to learn freestyle techniques, forms, and possibly even dabble into competitions, then you are going to want a lighter weight bo. I classify our official Bo style “Ultimate Bo” as a freestyle bo art. Therefore, if you are starting out with my training programs, or looking to learn the basics of bo, you will want a toothpick bo.
- Extreme Training/Competitions: Looking to be the next NASKA world champion? Your goal is to be on cereal boxes sold inside of martial arts academies? You will need a very lightweight, yet solid bo. A bo that is very thin, and designed especially for flashiness, and visual appeal. You will want a graphite bo.
- Traditional Training/Strength: Want to train old school – or better yet, traditional, as it has been done for centuries? You are going to want an actual Bo, which is traditionally made of a wood such as oak. This is a strong, heavier wood, designed for actual combat, deadly blows, and weapon to weapon combat. Not recommended for pure beginners, unless you have great control (and a high ceiling). You are going to want an oak bo.
- Combat Fighting/Bo Sparring: Are you training to actually practice combat? In the Ultimate Bo system, we have a section at each level that is called Combat Bo. For Sparring Bo and combat practice, you will need something that is safe enough for actually hitting each other with. Something like an action-reflex bo is really best. Beware that some padded bos are simply a rod of wood, with a thin layer of rubber (or similar material) around it. This does not feel good across the side of the head. You’re going to want a padded bo. If you don’t have the money, for now, you can use a toothpick bo and slide a pool noodle over it.
What Size Bo should I Buy?
For Competition/Freestyle/Tricking Bo Staff
I recommend using a bo which is slightly shorter than you. So if you are 5′ 9”, get a 5′ 6” inches tall bo. Many bos are available in increments of 1/2 foot, or 6 inches. If not, it is possible to purchase a 6 ft. bo, and trim off a little from the top and the bottom. If the bo is taller than you, it can be difficult to do certain rotations, and downward strikes, as the bo will make contact with the ground, this will become very frustrating.
For Traditional Training and Combat
If you are primarily doing bojutsu, Ultimate Bo (traditional and combat), or combat bo – you are going to want a staff that is your height, or slightly taller. If you are 5′ 10”, get a 6′ bo. If you are 6′ 1”, go ahead and drop down one inch. It is better to be within a one to two inch range of the height of your bo if possible. Some staff arts, such as forms of Chinese staff, use much longer staffs, such as 7′ or 8′. The traditional Japanese bo, the rokushakubo, which literally translates to six-foot-staff, is a good fit for most.
Where can I buy a Bo Staff?
- Online. Search “bo staff” and look through all of the top online sellers. You can also check our eBay and Amazon to find a nice bo at a good price. Remember that a bo is an over sized item, so expect to pay an added shipping fee due to its size.
- Custom Made. If you want to make your own, or know someone who is good with woodworking, get a custom bo! Woods such as rattan, bamboo, and oak are good options. Make sure it is smooth and sanded down so that splinters will not become an issue, you may want to coat it with some sort of outer protectant.
- Local Martial Arts Supply Store. These are quite rare, unless you live in a big city. Go to google maps, places, etc. and search your local businesses. If there is a store nearby, you can check out their selection and avoid the shipping cost.
- Local Martial Arts Academy. People tend to forget this is a great option. Basically every martial arts academy/club/school sells products from a wholesale company. They very well may have actual bo staffs in stock at their location for purchase. Just call up any local Tae Kwon Do, Karate, or other school and ask if they have any bos in stock. If not, they should be able to order through their supplier, which will get you a bo at (possibly a lower price), greater selection, and no shipping.
Other Options?
If you did not realize it yet, a bo is really just a glorified, combat oriented, martial arts laden stick. You can use a broom stick, walking stick, pvc pipe and anything else with a similar shape as you’re starting out. Don’t be embarrassed. I used to practice nunchakus as a kid with a long sock, you work with what you have.
2) Holds / Hand Positions
Now that you have your own bo, let’s learn how to use it like a pro!
- Normal Hold: This is the hand position that you will use the majority of the time. Hold the staff in thirds. One palm facing up and one palm facing down.
- Narrow Hold: One palm up, one palm down, but with only a fist length of space in between your two hands. This is great for spinning.
- Wide Hold: Again same palm up and down, but taking up about 2/3 of the bo, your hands are placed out wider, used for blocks and defining strikes.
3) Stances with the Bo
Most bo beginners seem to overlook their stances. I get it, you think bo is all about the hands and upper body. But the stances actually create the foundation for everything your upper body is doing. A better long front stance means a more powerful thrust. A nicer cat stance means a more balanced, yet graceful uppercut. Here are the stances:
- Long Front Stance: One leg is out, front knee is bent, back leg is straight. Almost all ten toes are facing the front, the back foot toes are pointing off at a slight angle. Back is straight, leaning forward, yet with poise.
- Horse Stance: As if you were riding a horse, imagine you are in the saddle. Legs are in a perfect line, past shoulder width, knees bent, legs almost parallel to the floor, back is straight, head forward.
- Front Stance: This is the “square stance” also known as a fore balance, and is common in traditional martial arts such as Karate. All ten toes facing forward, front knee bent, back leg straight, shoulders square.
- Cat Stance: Very light stance. About 80-90% of your weight is on your back knee, the front foot is barely touching the ground.
4) Basic Level Bo Strikes
Time to move into some basic level strikes. Please make sure you have a clear, wide training area. I have heard horror stories of students putting holes in the wall, breaking fans, and even smacking their family in the face. Please clear a nice room, or practice outside! Also, if you really don’t have space, use a small stick, like an escrima stick to ‘ghost practice’ the movements until you get more room later on.
- Overhead Front Strike: Bring up your front knee, rest the bo on the right shoulder, bo is parallel to the ground, set down the right foot in front in a long front stance, as you rotate that front hand, torquing the wrist, and sliding the left hand down to the “pocket.”
- 4 Point Strike: A simple up-down, side-to-side motion. Make sure all strikes hit the same spot, and keep the elbows up parallel to the ground, maintaining a strong long front stance.
- Overhead Rib Strike: Starting in a horse stance, bring arms up over the head, and finish by swinging the front tip of the bo across, slamming the opposite end of the bo into your own rib.
- Front Thrust: Bring up your front knee, draw back the bo all the way in a straight line behind you, then step out into a deep long front stance and thrust the tip of the bo into the target. You will land in a powerful stance, back is straight, elbow up, tip thrusted.
- Uppercut: Very much like a boxing uppercut, but draw the bo under first. This will create a more rounded motion as you finish into the cat stance.
5) Beginner Bo Super Combination
Now, let’s combine everything we have learned to this point and build up our confidence. By learning and practicing a combo like this one, you will be more ready to move into an actual Bo training program, and learn full katas/forms.
6) How to Move to the Next Level
Wow, I can’t believe you have already made it this far! Woohoo, you are not even a complete beginner anymore. So, where should I go from here, to take my skills to the next level?
- Consistent Practice: Whether you want to admit it or not, practice makes (close to) perfect. My Ultimate Bo students who practice consistently week after week do the best on their rank exams and are the star pupils. By setting an actual day each week, or time to practice your bo and make progress, you are destined for success.
- Find a Partner/Friend: When you have someone learning and going through the motions with you, you are bound to do better.
- Learn a Kata/Form: Rather than just learning random techniques here and there, learning a complete kata will do you much more good. A kata requires intense focus, concentration, rhythm, striking, stances, breathing, yells, memorization, and heart. Of course, you can learn two katas in my first Bo DVD, Ultimate Training Beginner Bo. Or, if you train in a dojo, ask your instructor to teach you a form.
- Train with the Ultimate Bo Home Study Course / Become an Ultimate Bo Student: I would love for you to take it to the next level and train with my Ultimate Bo Home Study Course. This is not just a set of training videos, but an entire distance training program. Lean katas, techniques, sparring, and so much more from White-Black Belt, and earn an actual Black Chevron rank at home in Ultimate Bo. You will also receive get instructor support and connect with more students from around the world. Check our the Ultimate Bo Home Study course now and keep learning along with me!
- Checkout Some of My Other Popular Bo Articles, such as 5 Common Questions about Ultimate Bo and Bōjutsu
Excellent information Thanks. I can see your good at teaching which is encouraging as once the DVD is bought I won’t have to worry. It’s a shame you don’t sell equipment over this page, you could even set up a dropship account with an internet supplier that way you don’t have to carry stock, you make more money and you help me, the customer, source recommended equipment without having to hunt.
I’m looking toward to getting your courses.
G.
I found part of a branch of a tree in my yard a couple of weeks ago. I pretty much instantly deemed it my new staff. Actually I have never owned a bo, but used to spin pool cues in bars when I was younger. Basically some sloppy, improvised spins lacking any real direction or purpose. I have watched a few of your clips on the net, and I do appreciate your presentation, and have already learned some stuff. Hopefully I will keep up with my latest interest and do the bo some justice. Thanks for taking the time to post your instruction .
really great stuff here thanks
Thanks Reed, glad that you like it. I like your weapons by the way, maybe I can use some of your staffs or weapons in some of my future videos if you would be interested. Thanks again, Sensei Michael
Hey Sensei. I searched the web for what size Bo to get. Finding this site in the process was awesome. I have only watched the first video about choosing the right Bo, but I am hooked on the site. I don’t have any dojos around me outside of a small Karate one, with no real method, for kids. It is literally just called “Karate”. So, despite reading stuff online about how training at home through stuff like this is frowned upon, it is all I can do. So, I look forward to learning from this site (as well as Jason David Frank’s site). Thanks and have a blessed day.
Thank you so much, this means a lot to hear. You can absolutely learn through home study with the right focus, discipline, and intent. Have fun training and learning along with us, have a blessed day as well! -Sensei Michael
This is an awesome site. At first, I didn’t realize you could buy the whole set of DVD’s! Glad I found out. Going to look around a bit and hopefully come back to this site to keep learning. Thanks for all your hard work and effort!
So glad you enjoy our site. We’d love to have you join the home study course when the time is right. Looking forward to training with you soon! -Sensei Michael
Thanks so much you have helped me so much I’m pretty good but not great still learning a bit but doing
My height is 5’4 and i want to know if I should get my Bo 5’3 or larger.
Hi Gloria,
If you are going to learn traditional or combat bo (like Ultimate Bo), get a bo that is 5’6”. If you want to learn extreme/tricking/competition staff moves and forms, get a bo that is 5′.
You will not be able to find a bo that is pre-cut in 5’3” anyways, that would have to be custom, but that is not necessary. I hope that helps!
You are a great teacher. I’m learning Bo staff in my Dojo but I actually think you do a better job of explaining each move. I’m going to master your beginning bo and then see about buying your course.
These are the best DVD’s I have ever seen. The way you explain each move is easy to understand. It seem like I am in a class. You are a great teacher. Awesome job. I have only watched the first DVD and I loved it can’t wait to go through the rest of them. I was wondering how I could get one of the Ultimate Bo patches I would love to put it on my uniform to promote this course again this is the best instructional DVD’s I have ever seen. Thank you so much for making them.
Shawn, I am so glad that you are learning, and it feels as natural as a class! That was definitely my intention. Training at home doesn’t have to be such a disconnected situation of piecing together random tidbits of information. You can buy the Ultimate Bo patch here: https://gum.co/RdgTS . Thanks for supporting Ultimate Bo and what I do!
Get a hold of me on Facebook – Damian Ouellette, I make hand made heavy-duty Bo staffs and bokken for combat practice with my belt sander and I take custom size orders, it’s not cheap but they’re perfectly balanced. Either way if you look me up in the Damian Ouellette who’s profile picture is me in a blue shirt surrounded by three days grace. Or email it, either works
Sensei,
I am almost 60 but walk frequently with an oak staff that is approximately my height (5′ 11″). I am not interested in competition and I am not in sufficiently good health to go through the belt ranks due to an old back injury. I am interested in your thoughts on some basic techniques to use my staff in case I need to for self-defense. I primarily wish to distance myself so I may escape. If escape is not possible, I wish to temporarily disable my attacker so I may escape.
Are the techniques shown here good for that purpose?
The techniques that I instruct in this complete beginner’s guide, are not specifically for realistic self defense. They do have their foundatoin there, but there are some additional preparations and stylized motions that lend well to compeition, kata training, and modernized demonstration. In my new Ultimate Bo DVDs, which I just released last month (https://www.ultimatetrainingdvds.com/shop/bo/), I added a new section called Combat Bo. In combat bo, we learn how to use the staff in the most primitive and common-sense way. The goal is to use economy of time and motion, and like you mentioned, do what we need to in order to create space or disable the attacker. Stepping back in a defensive stance with the staff ready, will allow you to throw the most disruptive strike (a forward thrust), a hard descending strike the neck, ribs, legs; or an ascending strike to the kneecap. It is important that you learn the push-pull concept of throwing strikes. You’ll probably enjoy the DVDs. Have a blessed day, Michael
I a man about 165 cm and 12 and a bit years old what should I get as I am a freestyler? Only really for fun and home uses but will probably use for sparring and mini fights with friends
Hi, A 5’6” bo or a 5′ bo would work for you. Thanks!
Just want to say I love the bo staff but never knew How to practise it (No dojo annywhere near me). And this guide made my day so thank you!
Wow, so glad that you have enjoyed the guide!
To what level will this dvd take me? Do you have an advanced or masters dvd course. Also could you suggest any book on this subject as i’ve found it hard to find any that look good?
Thanks
Jack
Hi Jack,
Sorry for the late reply, our wordpress comment notifications were not working. The Beginner Bo Staff DVD teaches you the yellow chevorn level of material, which is the first level in the style. It will give you a comfortable beginner level understanding. The full Ultimate Bo Home Study Course (8 DVD Set), teaches you from white to black belt. I really like the book “The Fighting Staff.” It is a great companion for your practice.
Hi Sensei
I have been involved with Karate for over 35 years on and off and re-entered a club a few years ago and currently back up to 3rd Kyu level again. I have had a traditional 6′ Bo for 30 years and dabbled often and frequently but never had any formal training. I will turn 60 this year and am suffering from ‘Karate knees’ so hard out training is becoming more difficult. This way of learning is really great and will take it up very soon. I have a knee operation soon and once fully recovered will be able to commit to it fully. Some questions please.. 1/ How often do you assess students for chevron grading. 2/ Would I video myself and you assess accordingly?
Much appreciated
David
Auckland
NZ
Hi David,
Nice to meet you, and I am glad to hear that you are back into the arts. Ultimate Bo can be a pretty rehabilitative art, and is less aggressive on the joints. We do not force an emphasis on really seep stances and kicks, which tend to wear down the body. I’d love to see you join as a student, I think you will find this to be an exciting, new journey to go on. 1. Students are able to submit their chevron exam once they are ready, and have met the requirements. They are required to log a certain amount of hours before they can test. For most chevron levels, it is 36 hours. This can be done within 3-4 months, if you train a few times a week. Some students test more often, this just depends on how many hours they train each week. 2. Yes, we have a proven video testing model, where you film yourself demonstrating all requirements. I will then do a grading, and even film a personal feedback video for you to review. I recommend that you join the GMAU Ultimate Bo course, let me know how else I can help sir. -Michael
I’ve been looking for a box staff I’m 5’7 and was looking for a 5’5 staff but all I am finding is 5 and 6 foot staffs. Nothing in between do u know of a place that sells bo staffs in more increments.
There are lots of places that sell 5’6” staffs. I am pretty sure you can find them at Century Martial Arts. Here is a 5.5′ foot staff for example” https://www.centurymartialarts.com/bo-staff/century-tapered-hardwood-bo-staff-adult-natural
Hi,
I’m 47 and I’ve never done any martial arts before. I’m very interested in learning the Bo Staff but in your beginner videos you mention that we may have learned stances in other martial arts.
Is it best to have another martial art before starting the Bo Staff?
Hi Matt,
It does make it easier to learn the staff, with prior traditional martial arts experience. However, it is not required. This is why I have an expanded, step-by-step section in my beginner level of the Ultimate Bo Course (the yellow chevron level). I will actually teach you the stances you need to know in order to master the staff; we learn the front stance, long front stance, horse stance, attention stance, and fighting stance. I have a student who just earned his red chevron a few days ago, who is a professor at a college, and complete beginner to martial arts. He walked in, not having any previous training with stances or other arts, and he looks outstanding.
So, prior training in a traditional art like karate will reduce the learning curve, but you can still learn the staff without it. Make sure and spend time on stances, though, at some point in your beginner training. Many novices skip over them, just because they want to do the upper body work, and end up missing the boat.
So from reading I am thinking maybe a rattan one and a tapered hardwood? I am 5’8″ now (was 5/10″ 1/2 before neck surgery), so maybe a 5.5 or should I try 6′?
A rattan or tapered hardwood would be great. I mean, you could go for the 6′ or the 5’6”. I would get the 6′ one, unless you have really low ceilings in your practice space.
Hello Sensei Hodge.
I want to learn the bo, because I think its a pretty awesome thing to know, but I also want to be able to take those skills that I learn and help other students at the local Taekwondo dojo that I teach at, that might be considering learning the bo as well. Would you recommend going the DVDs, or going full on with classes and such?
Thanks
Hi Zach,
The bo is awesome, and would go well with your TKD training! If you are very interested (in actually earning rank and getting feedback from me as you go forward), definitely go for the GMAU Ultimate Bo student membership. If you are just learning for your own interest and training, the DVD set will be just fine. Either way, go for it, and have fun mastering the bo!
Hello, I was wondering whether to get a 5′ bo or a 5’6″ one. I am currently 5’4″ and am going through a growth spurt. I have messed around with a 5 foot PVC pipe for a few years and don’t know whether or not the habits I have developed will affect my experience. I plan to do freestyle and/or Ultimate Bo.
You could go either way, but I would recommend a 6′. Having a staff that is slightly longer than you gives you better reach, and lends best to traditional staff training, such as what you find in Ultimate Bo.
Very interested in learning the bo, once I move (more room) I’m buying your dads, keep it up
Sounds great Lance. We’d love to have you training with us in shotokan and bo. Take care.
Sensei,
I am very interested in the ultimate bo instruction. I have no martial arts background. I have begun to practice Tai Chi and purchased a course through Blackbeltonline. I am an army veteran. I have sustained a back and leg injury from service. As a result, 20 years later I am trying to rebuild my strength and cardio ability. Tai Chi has begun to do this for me. I like the bo because of low impact training, cardio exercise and self defense also. Questions: What benefits does the lifetime membership at GMAU have over buying the disks? I am 5’6″, what size bo should I purchase? I have 8 foot ceilings in the garage. Is this a method that I can start off slow and build up my strength and endurance over time? Thank you in advance for your answers.
Hi Adam,
I am glad to hear that you are using our Tai Chi course, which is a great option for your current goals. Like you said, bo can be a low impact training option as well, one that can really increase in intensity and impact if you would like to, as you progress with it. The GMAU Lifetime membership has significantly more value than just the 8 DVD set. The GMAU Ultimate Bo course includes not only the core curriculum (white-black chevron core curriculum, which is what you get on the discs), but it also includes over 60 follow along classes (and growing every month), actually as I type this, I am getting ready to go film 2 new Ultimate Bo classes. There are extra sections such as the new “Lessons from Okinawa” program that are about to be added. There is the 2nd black chevron level. You get official student enrollment, instructor support, grading, feedback, student interaction, and if you get the lifetime membership – access for life. That includes everything that is already there, and all future releases that I will continue to be adding. I would get a bo that is 5′ 6”, that will also help with your lower ceilings. I really think this will go well along with your tai chi practice. Looking forward to it!
Mr. Hodge,
I have been practicing with the bo staff for several years, using the Jackson Rudolph FLOW system and purchased your curriculum to refine tradition striking and combat practices. Is there a way to log hours previously gained? I want to join the student / Instructor course so that I can offer my students the ability to gain credible ranks for staff. I want to proceed correctly but wonder if my past experience has any merit with where I can start?
Thank you,
Stephen Strouss
Hi Stephen,
Great to meet you and to have you with us. To be an officially recognized student that can earn rank (and eventually be an instructor), you will need to enroll into the GMAU Ultimate Bo student membership: https://globalmartialarts.university/Course/UltimateBo . Yes, once you enroll, you can log the previous hours that you have trained, which will be attributed to your yellow chevron journal. You will be able to take you test sooner because of this previous training. Looking forward to it!
I just use obviously pipe
Hello Sensei,
What are your thoughts on the collapsible Bo?
Thanks.
I don’t like to practice with them. They are okay for traveling, if you have no other options.
Oss sensei. I want learn bo classes at your dojo. Sensei please give me All information for off line Class.
Hi Mahesh,
We are not currently offering offline bo classes, but you can enroll into the online course. Hope to see you enroll soon!
Hello I was wonder what you think of a aluminum or steel staff for combat training? I would love a very durable staff.
Thanks!
I do have a heavier steel staff. It is good for strength training. I prefer a nice hardwood oak for most training circumstances, but a metal staff can also do. Just be careful if you get a heavier staff, some techniques can be dangerous on your wrists.
Hi can you please send me more information about the buying the cd’s fir the course as I would like to do this
Hi Alan, We have discontinued manufacturing DVD editions. But, there are still a few left on Amazon, if you would like to get one: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Bo-Beginner-Black-Course/dp/B01MG6EDVD/
Hi Sensei, I’m 5’4 and I used to practice Taekwondo at the only taekwondo center in my town before they unfortunately had to shut down during this whole pandemic, so I thought maybe I would learn traditional Jo/Bo while I patiently wait for them to recover and reopen. This will be my first time learning to use a weapon. I know that oak and red wood are typically heavier but is there any lighter materials I could get my Bo staff made from? and if so is just a 5ft Bo good for my height?
5′ would work for you, and you can get a rattan or bamboo bo; those are quite light. 🙂
Hi Sensei Hodge! I’ve been looking for a martial arts exercise that is fun and but also welcoming to beginners. I don’t have any experience with martial arts but it’s something I find very stimulating. I read your article and I want to make sure I have the right info before I purchase a staff. My height is 5’7/5’8 on a good day. If I wanted to train using your Ultimate Bo course, would I need a toothpick staff or a traditional oak/rattan staff (or both?) And what sizes would you recommend—5 1/2 for toothpick or 6 ft for both? I’m thinking if I start with toothpick and get used to a shorter length, the switch might be difficult but then again I don’t know much about this…I thank you for your input and I look forward to starting this journey.
I would get a 6′ traditional oak/rattan staff. Have so much fun!!