Spinning a bo staff behind your head and back is one of the most coolest moves you can learn. It is a stylish and fluid motion that adds flair to your bo staff practice. This spin involves rotating the staff in a full circle, passing it smoothly behind your back and over your head.
Many people struggle with this move because it’s tricky to get the momentum and speed right. Today, I’ll guide you through the steps of spinning your bo staff behind your head and back. I have got some secrets to help you master the speed and power you need.
Table of Contents
Start with the Basics
First things first — let’s build up some momentum. Hold the staff in front of you with your left hand. Start with a half-twist. Move the staff to the side, and then continue the motion into a full twist behind your back.
At this point, your elbow should bend, and the staff should be positioned straight down your spine.
Now, repeat the twist a few times, slowly at first. Twist halfway, then all the way behind your back. Once you’ve got this movement down smoothly, you’ll be ready to start spinning.
The Secret to a Good Grip
One common mistake I have seen is gripping the staff too tightly. A tight grip limits your motion and reduces your speed.
So here’s a trick: instead of grabbing the staff with a full fist, try using just your thumb and forefinger to apply pressure. This allows the staff to move more freely behind you.
Once you’re holding the staff behind your back, let go with your right hand. Now, extend your left arm and let your wrist relax. Don’t keep your wrist stiff. This relaxed grip will help you push the staff up behind your head.
How to Do the Behind Your Back and Head Spin
Now comes the fun part—the spin! From behind your back, release the right hand, extend your left arm, and rotate your wrist. This movement will bring the staff behind your head, creating a circular motion. As you get to the top of the rotation, grab the staff with your right hand again. Remember to keep that relaxed grip.
Let’s break it down again:
- Hold the staff in front of you with your right hand.
- Twist halfway, then all the way behind your back.
- Keep a relaxed grip as you let go with your right hand.
- Grab the staff with your left hand from behind your back.
- Extend your left arm, twist your wrist, and let the staff move behind your head.
- Grab with your right hand when it reaches the top.
Video demonstration:
Build Speed and Power
Once you’ve got the basics, practice this move slowly. It will take some time to get used to the momentum behind your back. But once you feel comfortable, you can start picking up speed.
A key tip for increasing speed is using your fingers to push the staff down with power. You’re not just moving your arms—your fingers play a big role too. When the staff is at the top of the spin, use your fingers to push it down, adding more power to your motion.
Keep your posture relaxed and composed. Don’t let your body become too stiff, or it’ll mess with the fluidity of your spin.
Putting It All Together
Now that you’ve got the key components, you can start practicing the full motion. Break it down into two parts: first, focus on getting the staff up behind your head, then focus on bringing it back down. Practice each part separately before combining them.
At first, it might feel slow or awkward, and that’s completely normal. As you practice, you’ll develop a smooth, fluid motion. Once you have mastered the basics, you can start adding more power and speed.
Some people like to keep the staff close to their shoulders, while others prefer a more extended arm position. Both styles work—it’s all about what feels right to you and what kind of look you’re going for.
Final Tips
That’s it! You now have the foundation to spin the bo staff behind your head and back. Keep practicing and soon you’ll be able to perform this move with ease.
Remember that practice is the key. Start slow and build up your speed over time. If you have any questions or need more help with this Bo Staff move, feel free to ask them in the comments below.
