Training in the many arts of kung fu usually encompasses working with weapons. It is one of kung fu's longest and most historical traditions to train with a wide range of weaponry including the staff, the spear, the saber, the double-edged sword, the hook axe, the whip chain, the three sectional staff, daggers and the halberds. In all, a total of eighteen weapons are offered to the kung fu student.
Though it may sound like a wild claim to some, weapons practice actually increases your dexterity, speed, timing, rhythm, fluidity of motion and acute body awareness. They are also known to improve strength and hand speed, since weapons are merely an extension of your arms.
Weaponry requires you to create a force - not unlike that which you create for a punch or a kick - and project it from your body to some part of the weapon. In other words, a successful weaponry expert must learn to focus his power beyond the extremities of his arms and legs. In doing this, one finds that focusing power for simple hand and foot strikes has become easier.
Finger strength is another important factor enhanced by weapons training. In fact, dexterity and strength of the fingers is one of the obvious advantages of the oriental martial arts over other fighting forms and it is developed to a fine level with intensive training in weaponry.
On the pages that follow, we shall teach you how to use the three sectional staff. It is the first time such a learning process of the three sectional staff has been offered in English. You will find that as well as the strikes and counters offered in step-by-step fashion, the weapon techniques are applied in a classical northern style form that includes floor techniques.