Quarterstaff Fundamentals

Wards: We start with the high and low positions of the staff along with their basic defences and counters.

Attacking: It’s time to look at how to use its essential actions to strike the opponent in various tempos. This week we explore all four tempos and how to create opportunities in each of them.

Blows: Though the longstaff can be quite unwieldy to swing about, there are still occasions where striking with the shaft of the staff instead of its point can be advantageous. In these lessons we explore the compass blow and stramazzone to attack the legs, head, and arms and the technique required to defend yourself.

Adaptive Fight: We look at how to apply the principles of the adaptive fight. The actions we practice take us from a failed attack through into closer plays with the reversed end of the staff that include strikes, arm binds, and throws.