Northeast Academy Of Martial Arts

Weapons

Tonfa

The tonfa is essentially a club with a handle that protrudes at a 90 degree angle. This allows a practitioner to hold the handle in a solid grip while the club protects the forearm. The origin of the tonfa can be traced to ancient China and Thailand where it was originally used as an accessory to a millstone. After being inserted into the millstone, the tonfa would be used to grind rice. Two tonfas are often used simultaneously, and very efficient against armed assailants, the long handles cover the forearms and could provide decent protection against bladed weaponry. They can easily be incorporated into traditional punching and blocking. The offensive capabilities of the tonfa included thrusting, twirling, and Jijitsu style grappling techniques. So effective, it has been integrated into the equipment of modern police officers, often reincarnated as the police baton or 'nightstick'.

 

 Bo Staff

Bo staff is both destructive and adoptive, used first for herding livestock, guiding boats or a way to carry supplies in baskets. Its long range allows the practitioner to disarm and an opponent while remaining at a safe distance. Strikes are aimed at an opponent's eyes, throat, and solar plexus of the groin. As well as blocking attacks and sweeps to the feet. The Chinese Bo keeps an equal diameter along its entire length where as the Okinawan style tapers at each end. Physical conditioning with the Bo improves balance, upper-body strength, distancing and control.

Meaning "flail" and commonly referred to as Nunchucks. The two equal sections sticks are connected by either a string or chain. The nunchaku was originally an agricultural tool used for threshing rice (separating the grain from the husk). In conjunction with various stances and techniques they can be used as both an offensive and defensive weapon. The sticks could be used for spearing or striking and the chain could choke, block or trap an attacker.

Escrima Sticks

From the Filipino martial arts of stick fighting, escrima is derived from the Spanish term, esgrima, which means 'fencing'. Developed over a period of many centuries in the Philippines as the people fought for their independence from foreign invaders, these sticks are handled with sword and knife techniques, practicing cuts and slices. Partner work requires each practitioner to be proficient at tempo, fluidity, and timing. Self defense utilizes disarming and striking techniques, including blocking, parrying, and counter attacks.

Sai

Theorized as an agricultural tool to bale hay or plant rice, the Sai is a dagger shaped fork with two prongs that are usually curved and project out of the hilt of the weapon. The unique shape protects the wrists and has the advantage during combat as it can trap the opponent's weapon in these prongs. As a versatile weapon, practitioners focus its use in conjunction with various karate stances and techniques.

Kama

The kama is a razor sharp sickle that has a half-moon shaped blade and wooden handle. Originally used by farmers to cut rice and grass. In close range fighting, it's used as a defensive weapon that was used against sword and bo attacks by trapping an opponent's weapon and striking. It can be become deadly when used as an extension of the user's hand, which can slash deeply into the arm or leg of an attacker. The forms include circular movements which improve blocking and countering techniques.