SPECIALTY WEAPONS TRAINING
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Specialty Weapons Training is the study of unique Kung Fu weapons that were never standard issue Battlefield Weapons. This study includes many legendary Chinese weapons such as Hook Swords, Deer Horn Knives, The Raptor Claw Saber, Wind and Fire Wheels, and The Coiled Dragon Staff.
Throughout China's vast 12,000 year history these rare weapons were developed and used by martial artists, rebels, mercenaries, assassins, warlords, bandits, clans, and heroes of justice. |
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Like all things, warfare, weapons, and martial arts evolve constantly as they adapt to new threats and environments. This evolution led to many different types of weapons, limited only by human creativity, changed to fit unique fighters, their body types, mindsets, and preferences.
SPECIALTY WEAPON CATEGORIES
SPECIALTY BLADES
There are several swords and bladed weapons that fall into this category. These include the Hooks Swords, Deer Horn Knives, Wind and Fire Wheels, Sickle Blades, and the Raptor Claw Swords and Sickles. Some of these specialty weapons are rare and ancient, with each one providing unique and distinct advantages in combat. While these unique weapons were never used in the Imperial Armies, their effectiveness throughout history has made them some of the most well known Chinese Weapons.
CONCEALED SPECIALTY WEAPONS
The lower class in most of world history was banned from carrying military weapons, just like most of the world today. Rebels, criminals, and assassins mostly relied on concealed weapons. This small weapons category includes Short Swords, Hatchets, Deer Horn Knives, and the Assassins Mace. Still today while a pistol or knife is not suitable as a primary battlefield weapon, its ease of carry and concealability make them some of the most common non military weapons.
RANGED SPECIALTY WEAPONS
There are several unique long range and projectile weapons taught under the category of specialty weapons. These weapons include Plum Blossom Darts (spring loaded darts hidden in the sleeve),the Rope Dart, and many handheld thrown weapons such as Throwing Knives and Chinese Stars. These small weapons have limited effectiveness in combat unless paired with the use of poisons. Poison on daggers and darts is not very common today, but there was a time when poison was used extensively to increase a weapons lethality.
SPECIALTY POLE-ARMS
There a few well know Pole-arms that were designed as unique weapons, aside from the numerous military pole-arms used throughout Chinese history. These weapons include The Snake Spear, the Snake Halberd and the Iron Staff. In addition some Specialty Pole-arms, being non military, also had a common use, these weapons include the very well known Wooden Staff and other lesser know weapons such as Fishing Spears, pitchforks, and the Tiger Spear.
SPECIALTY BLUNT WEAPONS
Shorter blunt weapons were minimal on ancient battlefields because of they lack length or their ability to stab or cut. Off the battlefield however there are several shorter blunt weapons, with some of them still in widespread use today. These include the Chinese Guai "crutch" (also know as T-baton, nightstick, of tonfa) a common police weapon today. Other weapons include Wooden Clubs, Iron Clubs, Chu Hammers, The Oron Rings, and the Assassins Mace. Enter Page> Blunt Weapons
ANCIENT IMPROVISED WEAPONS
Training Improvised Weapons is an important part of weapons training at Imperial Combat Arts. This study teaches how to use nearly any object in surprising and devastating ways. Ancient Improvised Weapons is the same study but the "common" objects of old, are rather uncommon today. Regardless these old tools have become a niche of traditional Kung Fu weapons. These weapons include the Sickles and flails once use for cutting and threshing grain, the Judges Pens, and again Fishing Spears, and the Tiger Spear.
TRAINING SPECIALTY WEAPONS
Melee weapons are as important today as they ever have been. Most any man with the intent to kill you will use a weapon, or improvise one. This traditional training taught at Imperial Combat Arts was forged in a time where melee weapons were the primary focus of battle. Through this rigorous and fully immersive study practitioners today can become just as powerful and effective in melee as our warriors and champions of old. Full weapon training involves, drills, forms, sets, targets, and matching.
WEAPON DRILLS
Drills and exercises are one of the first steps in training weapons. These drills teach the primary hand positions, postures, maneuvers, cuts, and thrusts for each specific weapon and help develop the coordination, strength, and control needed to wield it. Initially, and especially with heavier weapons, just a few minutes of drilling with a weapon can be quite fatiguing and stressing to the joints. However this first step can eventually lead to dynamic flow, impressive skill, great strength, and true mastery.
WEAPON FORMS
Weapon forms are one of the primary ways Masters pass on the ancient knowledge of weapons to the next generation of Warriors. These challenging forms teach dynamic flow, maneuvers, weapon handling, and numerous proven and effective techniques. Every movement and technique in the weapon forms at Imperial Combat Arts relate directly to combat, and are trained dynamically in sets, and matching. Forms are a way to practice your techniques routinely, and turn them to muscle memory, as needed for battle.
WEAPON SETS
Sets are an important facet in complete weapon training. This repetitive partner interaction is one of the ways effective and proven techniques are passed down to the next generation of warriors. At Imperial Combat Arts weapon sets are done vs multiple opponents, with realistic training weapons, as well as with padded weapons. This training allows students to focus on and perfect individual techniques, that they will later test in matching, and perhaps battle.
WEAPON TARGETS
Throughout history target practice has been a crucial part of weapon development, as it still is today. In all parts of the world Straw Men, and Wooden Pell's of various types, have been the primary targets used to practice attacks and maneuvers. Imperial Combat Arts indoor/outdoor school has a full array of traditional and modern training dummies designed specifically for weapon use. Additionally the school has an archery range used for all manner of ranged weapons.
WEAPON MATCHING
Aggressive matching with training weapons is an important part of preparing for the chaos and fray of battle. This matching is done with all the weapons taught at Imperial Combat Arts and often in unusual and compromised ways, such as blindfolded, or on beams and posts. Most all matching done at our school, whether armed or unarmed, is done versus multiple opponents. These intense matching sessions are designed to be painful, yet safe, and push practitioners ever forward in skill.