Martial Arts in Melbourne
Martial Arts Weapons Training In Thornbury Melbourne
We Study 100% Integrated Weapons Skills
100% Integrated Weapons Training
Well most martial arts schools add on Weapons Training to their original style, for example let's say you're studying MMA, in MMA you will learn multiple styles such as BJJ and Muay Thai and if they offer Weapons Training then maybe its Kali or Kung Fu Weapons etc.
But none of those systems body movement is the same, they all move differently which means you have to relearn how to move to use the weapon.... Kali doesn't move anything like Muay Thai for example. So now you have to attend two or three separate martial arts classes twice a week each and every week for each style.
That's a lot to keep going year after year, but why do that when there is a much quicker easier way.
If that makes sense to you, consider coming in for our Free Trial Classes, meet the Instructors and students and experience a class for yourself.
Consistent body movement equals faster learning and you're not juggling multiple martial arts styles that do some things but not others... it's just one martial art that does it all.
So to learn how to use a 6 foot Bo Staff we use our body the same way as not using a weapon at all and it's the same for every weapon and after a very short time you will be quite good at many different weapons as well as have a full unarmed (no weapons) Self Defence skill set... all from the same body consistent movement.
That's what I mean by 100% Integrated Weapons into your whole skill set.
Keep it simple, learn one way of moving, for any application, with or without a weapon.
Does that make sense to you?
The facilities here are excellent as is the training. The instructors are friendly and helpful and give plenty of useful feedback during sessions. I enjoy the challenge of learning new things, especially using the various weapons.
— David W.
How Weapons Training Works
We study what in Japan is known as a Sogo Bujutsu or complete system of martial arts. While it sounds like a very logical way to do things this one way of moving for any application is very unusual in martial arts. Normally you only learn one or two aspects such as kicking and punching like in Karate and Taekwondo.
Very, very few systems are naturally complete, most have to add in other systems to try to fill in the original styles large gaps.
“Why study weapons?
I mean you're not going to have a weapon with you if you get attacked on the street are you!”
It's also a lot of fun, and many people are often surprised at how much they enjoy the Weapons Training part of the class when initially they didn't even consider it as something they were interested in learning.
It teaches you a lot more about distance, timing and control as well as strategy than unarmed training. Everything is exaggerated in terms of the space and time needed so it makes it easier to see into the technique.
Free Trial Classes
What is Kobudo?
Kobudo means “old martial ways” and refers to traditional Japanese weapons training: staffs such as the Bo, Jo and Hanbo, the sword, and smaller weapons like the chain and throwing spikes. Kobudo teaches distance, timing and control, and many of the same body movements carry straight into unarmed self defence. Our kobudo is part of our Adults Martial Arts training, in the last 30 minutes of class.
Weapons We Train (Japanese Kobudo)
Our weapons training is a form of kobudo, the classical Japanese weapons arts, all built on the same body movement as our unarmed martial arts. Weapons studied include:
- Katana (long sword): The Japanese long sword, trained through our kenjutsu sword fighting classes: drawing, cutting, kata and sword against sword.
- Shoto / Wakizashi (short sword): The Japanese short sword, for close-range sword work.
- Tanto (knife): The Japanese knife, used to understand how knife attacks work and how to defend against them.
- Hanbo (3ft staff): A short staff, ideal for strikes, locks and control at close range.
- Jo (4ft staff): A medium-length staff (jojutsu), combining strikes, thrusts and joint locks.
- Bo (6ft staff): The long staff (bojutsu), our central staff weapon, practised against a swordsman. See Bo Staff training.
- Hojo Jutsu (rope tying): Traditional Japanese rope techniques for restraining an opponent.
- Kusari Fundo (weighted chain): A short chain with weights at each end, for strikes, entanglement and control.
- Bo Shuriken (throwing spike): A 17 cm throwing spike, building accuracy, focus and distance awareness.
- Knife Defence (unarmed defence against a knife): Practical defence against knife attacks, taught in dedicated blocks. See Knife Defence Training.
We train and practice a different style of Jiujitsu and weapon each month and I have never stopped learning each time that I have stepped onto the mats.
— Matt D.
Weapons Training at a glance
- Style
- Japanese kobudo, integrated with our unarmed martial arts
- Weapons
- Katana, short sword, tanto, Hanbo, Jo, Bo, Hojo Jutsu, Kusari Fundo, Bo Shuriken and Knife Defence
- When
- Usually the last 30 minutes of each Adults Martial Arts class (16+)
- Rotation
- A different weapon each month, on a 6 month rotation
- Equipment
- Borrow training weapons from the dojo when you start
- Instructor
- Taught by Craig Guest, teaching in Thornbury since 1997
- Free trial
- 4 free classes plus a free uniform. Book online.
Weapons Training: common questions
Is weapons training a separate class?
No. Weapons training is usually the last 30 minutes of each Adults Martial Arts class. We train a different weapon each month on a 6 month rotation.
Which weapons will I learn?
Katana (long sword), Shoto or Wakizashi (short sword), Tanto (knife), Hanbo, Jo and Bo staffs, Hojo Jutsu (rope tying), Kusari Fundo (weighted chain), Bo Shuriken (throwing spike) and Knife Defence.
Do I need my own weapons?
Not to start. You can borrow training weapons from the dojo, and over time you will buy your own.
Is it safe?
Yes. We use wooden and training weapons, practised in a controlled way with a partner under instructor supervision.
Do I need martial arts experience?
No. Weapons training is part of our Adults Martial Arts classes, which suit complete beginners through to advanced students.
Why train with weapons if I will never carry one?
Because an attacker might. Knowing how weapons work helps you protect yourself, and weapons training sharpens distance, timing, control and strategy.
What is kobudo?
Kobudo means "old martial ways" and refers to traditional Japanese weapons training, such as the Bo, Jo and Hanbo staffs and the sword. At GMA it is part of our Adults Martial Arts classes.
Contact Guest's Martial Arts
Interested in training? Contact us to find out more about our classes or arrange a free trial.
- Phone03 9495 1929
- Emailadmin@guestsmartialarts.com.au
- Address272 Dundas St, Thornbury VIC 3071