How To Block With A Bo Staff
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Bo Block·Badger Jones
Nobody wants to get hit with a staff, but keeping that from happening isn't so simple. Here's how to do it, the techniq…
Bo Block
SubFamily棒受け
TraditionalTranslation: Staff Blocks
Overview
Defensive techniques using the long staff to intercept, redirect, or absorb incoming strikes.
History & Origin
Blocking techniques with the bo (uke-waza) are documented in the oldest surviving Okinawan kobudo kata, including Shushi no Kon and Sakugawa no Kon, which oral tradition dates to the 18th century. [1] These defensive methods use the full length of the staff to intercept incoming strikes, employing the principle of receiving force along the weapon's axis rather than perpendicular to it. [2] Bo blocking was refined in the kata-based transmission system of Okinawan masters, with Taira Shinken's systematisation in the early 20th century establishing standardised blocking forms still practised today. [1]
Effectiveness
Bō blocks use the staff's length to intercept attacks at a safe distance, with the ability to redirect force and counter-attack immediately. [1]
Lineage
Bō blocking techniques were developed in both Okinawan kobudō and Japanese koryū bōjutsu traditions. [1]
Competition Record
Bō blocking is demonstrated in kobudō kata competition and koryū embu events. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Striking, blocking, or thrusting with a long rigid weapon — the staff's length creates leverage and reach advantage
Joints Involved — Both hands (sliding and rotating grip positions), wrists (snap for strikes), hips (rotation for power)
Force Vector — The rear hand pushes while the lead hand acts as fulcrum — staff rotation generates speed at the striking tip
Weapon Mechanic — The staff can be used from either end and at any range — versatility from long-range strikes to short-range blocks
Position & Entry
From ready stance — Hold the staff in two-handed grip, establish distance, strike with the end or middle section as appropriate
From defensive position — Use the staff to block or deflect the incoming attack, then counter with a strike or thrust
Videos
Functional Kobudo: Outside Block (Ude-Uke) with Bo
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Bo Block·Steel Mace Karate
This video looks at some close range applications for the outside block with bo.
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Staff/bo/jo weapons generate significant blunt force; fracture risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Traditional martial arts — Practiced in traditional kata/...
— IWUF — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable
IWUF Competition RulesPDFHEMA — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories {src— various organizations
Training Notes
✓Bo blocking uses the staff's length to create a defensive barrier — the bo can block at any point along its 6-foot shaft (Draeger, Classical Bujutsu, 1973)
✓The primary blocking positions: age-uke (rising block), gedan-barai (downward sweep), yoko-uke (lateral block) — each covers a specific angle
✓The bo block absorbs impact through the entire shaft — distribute the force across both hands rather than receiving it at one point
✓Effective bo blocking redirects the incoming weapon rather than meeting it with opposing force — angled blocks deflect energy away
✓The block transitions immediately into a counter-strike — the same end that blocks can reverse direction to attack, or the opposite end can strike
✓Both hands work together during the block: one hand guides direction while the other provides structural support
✓The guard position (kamae) places the bo diagonally across the body — covering high, middle, and low lines simultaneously
Common Mistakes
!Blocking with the tip of the staff — the middle section between the hands is the strongest blocking zone
!Using only one hand to block — both hands must engage to control the staff and absorb impact
!Meeting force directly — angle the block to deflect rather than stop the incoming weapon
!Holding the staff too close to one end — the hands should be spaced to allow leverage and control
!Not transitioning from block to counter — a block without a follow-up counter is a wasted opportunity
!Blocking too aggressively — over-committing to the block pulls you out of position
!Leaving the legs exposed when blocking high — the bo must be repositioned quickly to cover all levels
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Grip and Stance — hold the weapon in the correct grip with a balanced stance
2Chamber — draw the weapon back to generate striking power
3Strike — deliver the blow along the correct angle of attack
4Recovery — return to guard position and prepare for the next action
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do (Shoshin Nagamine, 1976)
1BookThe Art of the Japanese Sword (Sato, 1983)
Alias sources — [1] Kobudo: Okinawan Weapons (Demura, 1976) [2] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969) [3] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)
2BookFilipino Martial Arts (Inosanto, 1980)
History sources — [1] Bishop, M., Okinawan Kobudo (Tuttle, 1999) [2] Draeger, D. & Smith, R., Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Kodansha, 1969)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
4CitationThe Art of the Japanese Sword (Sato, 1983)
Alias sources — [1] Kobudo: Okinawan Weapons (Demura, 1976) [2] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969) [3] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)
5CitationFilipino Martial Arts (Inosanto, 1980)
History sources — [1] Bishop, M., Okinawan Kobudo (Tuttle, 1999) [2] Draeger, D. & Smith, R., Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Kodansha, 1969)
Community
Athletics
Requires
wrist snap speed, sliding grip coordination, hip rotation
Favours
long reach and strong wrists for staff manipulation
Key muscles
forearms, wrist rotators, core rotators, shoulders
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I grip the bo when performing an outside block?
Steel Mace Karate recommends gripping the bo with your hand positioned close to the neck (the center area) rather than high on the staff, as this gives you better control and effectiveness for the technique.
Why do people struggle to learn the bo block?
According to Badger Jones, many students have difficulty learning this block because it requires real coordination and timing to execute the eight-motion defense effectively on either side.
How does the Bo Block work?
Defensive techniques using the long staff to intercept, redirect, or absorb incoming strikes.
Where does the Bo Block come from?
Blocking techniques with the bo (uke-waza) are documented in the oldest surviving Okinawan kobudo kata, including Shushi no Kon and Sakugawa no Kon, which oral tradition dates to the 18th century. These defensive methods use the full length of the staff to intercept incoming strikes, employing the principle of receiving force along the weapon's axis rather than perpendicular to it.
Is the Bo Block legal in competition?
Traditional martial arts: legal — Practiced in traditional kata/forms and weapon-specific competition under var…; IWUF: legal — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable; HEMA: legal — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories
How dangerous is the Bo Block?
Danger rating 7/10. Very High — staff/bo/jo weapons generate significant blunt force; fracture risk
How do I set up the Bo Block?
The standard setup chain: Grip and Stance → Chamber → Strike → Recovery.
How do I defend against the Bo Block?
Standard counters include: Guard Position — return to a defensive ready stance / Distance Management — control the measure to avoid being in range / Counter-Attack — strike during the opponent's recovery or between movements.
What are the variants of the Bo Block?
Common variants: Overhead strike (bringing the staff down from above in a vertical arc); Lateral strike (horizontal sweep targeting the ribs or head); Thrust (straight thrust with the end of the staff); Butt-end strike (striking with the rear end of the staff at close range).
How effective is the Bo Block in competition?
Bō blocking is demonstrated in kobudō kata competition and koryū embu events.
What are common mistakes when doing the Bo Block?
Top errors to watch for: Blocking with the tip of the staff — the middle section between the hands is the strongest blocking zone / Using only one hand to block — both hands must engage to control the staff and absorb impact / Meeting force directly — angle the block to deflect rather than stop the incoming weapon / Holding the staff too close to one end — the hands should be spaced to allow leverage and control.
What are other names for the Bo Block?
The Bo Block is also known as Bo Uke, Staff Block, Bojutsu Uke.