IMPROVISED WEAPONS
An umbrella is a useful improvised weapon
Question
Sifu, can you tell us a bit about improvised weapons?
Sifu Charles Chalmers
Answer
One of the benefits of weapon training is that a practitioner can readily use an improvised weapon. Obviously one who has trained with weapons will be able to better use an implement as an improvised weapon.
One of the first weapon students learn is a staff. Students who have learned a staff will be able to pick up a long stick or a pole and improvise it as a staff. They will obviously be able to use the improvised weapon better than if they had not learnt a staff before. They will also be able to fight more effectively using an improvised weapon against one opponent or many opponents than if they do not use any improvised weapon.
A long pole can also be used as a spear, though this improvised weapon would lack the destructiveness of a real spear. Using a long pole like a halberd also lacks the destructiveness of a real weapon. A long pole should be used like a staff.
Some people say that those who have learnt a sabre can pick up a short stick and use it as an improvised sabre. This is not quite correct because a short stick is like a rod , and not a sabre. The properties of a sabre and a rod are different. A sabre is mainly used for cutting and slashing, whereas a rod is used for hitting. Nevertheless, using a short stick mistakenly like a sabre is better than not using an improvised weapon at all.
Even when students are trained to cut and slash with a sabre, hitting with a stick can also cause some damage. Students who have been trained to use a sabre, are likely to hit better with a stick than if they had not trained with weapons at all.
An umbrella is both a real weapon and an improvised weapon. Those who have trained to use an umbrella as a weapon will be able to exploit its destructive properties, like piercing with its pointed end, or hitting with its hard handle.
Even those who have not trained with an umbrella as a weapon, but have trained with other weapons, may use it, albeit wrongly, as an improvised weapon for hitting. Although hitting with the body of an umbrella as many untrained people do, is not very destructive, as the cloth and the collapsible ribs of the umbrella act like a buffer, it can scarce away would be assailants.
A bicycle chain may be used like a soft whop, though it is far less effective. It needs a skilful practitioner who has been trained with a soft-whip to be able to use a bicycle chain well, otherwise he may hit himself with the bicycle chain.
However, some street-fighters who may not be trained in kungfu weapons, often use a bicycle chain as an improvised weapon. They can use it reasonably well, though not as skilful as one trained in a soft whip, because these street-fighters have trained themselves using a bicycle chain.
A reverse situation is also useful. A practitioner trained in weapons will be able to fight efficiently with an opponent using an improvised weapon because the practitioner, even unarmed, knows the properties of weapons. For example, if you have been trained with a soft whip, when an opponent uses a bicycle chain on you, you will be able to counter him more effectively.
However, if you have been trained with a staff or a sabre, you may not be effective if an opponent uses a bicycle chain on you. This is because the properties of a staff or a sabre are different from those of a soft whip for which a bicycle chain is used as an improvised weapon.
But if you are trained in many weapons, then it may not matter much what improvised weapon your opponent may use. The Special Weapon Course provides such an opportunity within an incredible short time.
Because you are trained in many different weapons, when you are involved in combat and your opponent uses an improvised weapon but you are unarmed, you will still be effective in handling him.
Another invaluable benefit provided by the Special Weapon Course is confidence. Training in many weapons, especially in weapon combat where you need to be extra careful as injuries with weapons are more serious than those of unarmed combat, enhances your combat skills and gives you much confidence, not just in combat, but more significantly in daily life.
bicycle chain may be improvised as a soft whip
This answer is taken from Special Weapon Course: 10 Questions to Grandmaster Wong of the Shaolin Wahnam Institute Discussion Forum.
LINKS
Courses and Classes