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Most students of the martial arts Have probably seen a pair of nunchaku (Chucks) being used while in the martial arts. Whether it was in a "karate movie," or while training in the dojo -- martial arts school - where you train in your chosen discipline. They're so popular that they're known all over the world as "nunchucks," "chucks" or "numchucks."
The "twin sticks" (that's their meaning when the word "nunchaku" is spoken in native Okinawan), in the right hands, are a whirling blur of motion that can actually be hard for the eye to follow when they're moving fast enough. And they can pack a seriously hard wallop when they're used to strike at somebody during close-quarters fighting.
They can be used alone as a pair of sticks joined together by a short length of rope or chain, or in pairs (one set for each hand) for double the trouble. The nunchaku (aka. Chucks) has a long and interesting history, starting from when they first appeared on the island of Okinawa off the coast of Japan sometime in the early to mid 1600s. Nowadays, few craftsmen like the ones at Buki Yuushuu still turn out modern customized versions of this beloved and cherished classic weapon.
How the nunchaku came to be developed on Okinawa during that time is a bit unclear. The most popular story was that Okinawan farmers and others on the island, including the upper classes of that time, took a farmer's thresher, which was a handheld tool made up of two sticks joined by a rope, and suddenly became nunchaku masters!
We're just kidding about the "instant master" effect. It usually takes some time to study and practice with the nunchaku (and more than a few whacks on the head!) before a person becomes skilled enough to use it in a real self-defense situation.
Actually, the invention of the nunchaku most likely never happened that way at all, but it makes for a good story. In realty, this popular self-defense weapon probably was constructed for the role it played then and still plays today; as a weapon. The evidence for this is that the Chinese themselves had a weapon that was very close in appearance to the nunchaku back before the 1600s, and that Chinese immigrants to Okinawa brought it with them. Also, the word for "nunchaku" comes from the Chinese language, so we can assume that it really was built to be what we know it as today.
To understand why these "two sticks connected by a string" came into being, we should understand that on the island of Okinawa, as with the rest of Japan, most people were forbidden to carry a sword or other bladed weapon. Only Japanese who were of the samurai class, a professional warrior were able to have such things. Native Okinawans, who were not Japanese at all, fell under this same rule. But people being people were just smart back then as they are today, and soon the nunchaku (Nunchuck) began to be used for personal protection and the protection of property against any would be criminals or Japanese samurai who happened to take advantage of their situation.
The Native Okinawa's as with most people didn't like to be ordered and pushed around, and samurai were experts at giving orders to those under their class. Can you imagine what a surprise it was when one of these professional warriors felt or witnessed the blistering speed of these wooden sticks coming at him?
Today the essence of the "chuck" is still the same; they are just faster and flashier than the nunchaku of old. If you'd like to see what a modern pair of nunchaku look like, go to bukiyuushuu.com one of the leaders of Okinawan style of weaponry, look at all the different styles, colors and the different ways you can customize your made to order nunchaku.
Come and see the most styles and choices in custom Nunchaku click here Nunchuck
In the martial arts, I don't care if it is UFC based, Tai Chi Chuan, Shotokan, or whatever, there are three key ingredients. These three ingredients are what makes an art stand out, and they are why people study the arts. Oddly, one of the ingredients is usually missing from peoples practice.
One of the ingredients has to do with pure, raw strength. Muscle mags are filled with advice on how to be strong, and everybody obsesses on strength. Oddly, strength is the least important of the three essential techniques I am speaking of.
The most important of the three essentials is technique. Technique is measured by how little you have to work to make a move work. If you need a lot of strength in your move, then your technique is lacking.
The second most important essential to good martial arts, and the one most people ignore, is speed. Interestingly, at least in the beginning, speed is very necessary to make a technique work. Yet strength is what everybody chases.
Yes, people try to get fast, a little bit, but it is an individual effort, and usually put aside in the pursuit of strength. People believe that strength is going to make them faster, you see. Well, it will, but there are flexibility drawbacks, and the speed gained is not always enough.
Speed must be developed in a fashion which aligns with technique. As knowledge of technique rises, so should the ability of the student to have speed. In my over 40 years of martial arts I have found only one drill which actually develops speed in the student.
The Speed Drill is nothing more than a simple slap and grab motion, and yet it is so much more. It makes all techniques as easy as slapping a slow buzzing fly. And every technique can be altered to take advantage of the slap and grab Speed Drill.
So practice the strength of Hung Gar, and build the technique of Tai Chi Chuan. Work the sticky hands of Wing Chun and focus your concentration into the great eternal circleness of Pa Kua Chang. But if you want to build and develop sheer, raw, powerful speed...you need to work on The Speed Drill.
Al Case has analyzed martial arts for 4O+ years. A writer for the magazines, he is the originator of Matrixing Technology and Neutronics. You can learn more about The Speed Drill here, or you can head on over to the main site and pick up his free ebook on Matrixing.
Centuries ago a Ninja warrior's best known weapon was his sword, or Ninjato. The Ninjato was not the only weapon they used. The throwing star, also known as a shuriken, was known to be one of the other weapons used. Today's martial arts training programs often include the use of the throwing star in the curriculum.
Just like dart throwing practice, find yourself a target. It does not have to be a store bought one. You can use a piece of plywood or even an old piece of drywall. Draw a bullseye on it and you have yourself a good throwing star or throwing spikes practice target. Use caution! Make sure there is no one around or that no one could suddenly enter your field of practice. It is a good idea to practice outside away from any thing that could break if you miss. Also, make sure the target is stable.
Next, make sure you choose the best throwing stars for practice. Throwing stars come in many designs with a variety of the number of spikes. If you get ones with more spikes the chances are better they will stick more often. Don't be overly concerned about how sharp the spikes are. In fact, those stars that have a thinner, much duller, edge stick better. The thicker heavier ones can be much more difficult to throw with accuracy.
Don't expect to hit a bullseye from 50 feet on your first throw. Build up the distance from the target as your ninja warrior skills improve. Put the target a distance about 10 or 20 feet from you to start off with. You can increase your distance as you get more accurate with your throws. Remember, safety, safety, safety. Clear your practice area of anything that might break and make sure no one can get hurt.
It will improve your accuracy if you are standing the right way when you release the throwing star. If you will be throwing right handed stand with your feet about shoulder length apart and move your right foot back one step. Do the opposite if throwing left handed. The main principal is to make sure you are balanced and comfortable when you throw.
Next, pick up your throwing star and hold it securely between your thumb and forefinger. Tilt your wrist forward so that the throwing star is now parallel with the ground. Keep your eyes focused on the bullseye of your target. Bring the throwing star toward the right side of your head (if you are throwing with your right hand) and in one smooth motion, shift your weight to your leading foot as you snap your wrist and arm toward your bullseye. You want to release the throwing star when your arm is parallel to the floor. Stretch your throwing arm out completely as if you are quickly pointing towards the bullseye. Do not take your eyes off of the bullseye.
Don't throw the star with the intent of trying to put it through the target. The speed of the star is not the most important thing. It is the amount of spin you are able to put on it. The better your wrist snap when releasing the more spin will be on the star. The more spin you put on the star the more accurate your throw will be.
Remember all those holes in the wall next to your dartboard when you first started throwing darts? Well, don't expect to become an expert at throwing stars right away either. Give it time and a lot of practice and you will see your skills as a ninja warrior improve.
