Of the three ways a stick or cane can be used in combat-striking, fencing, and grappling-grappling techniques have been the least available. At the same time, these techniques are arguably the most interesting, the most useful for developing body awareness and the most fun to practice, if not always the first choice in a fight.

The Stick and Cane in Close Combat presents 120 jointlocks, takedowns, chokes, pins disarms, rolls and surprise attacks with the stick and cane in more than 560 photographs. These techniques were collected and refined from those described in more than 100 books and videos on the topic as practiced in several martial arts, as well as from the author's 35 years of martial arts training. Of all the techniques proposed for the stick and cane, these are the most combatively realistic and mechanically sound. Thus, this book is the largest and best collection of these techniques yet published.

Each technique is pesented as a series of photographs whose captions call attention to important movements. Each technique is also accompanied by a structured discussion of its key features, common mistakes and details its origin, applications or variations. In addition, a unique chapter analyzes the short-comings of several 'less-reliable' techniqes that are nevertheless commonly proposed for the stick or cane.
This chapter focuses attention on what makes a stronger technique by showing what makes a weaker one.

Tom Lang a fourth-degree black belt in Danzan Ryu Jujutsu, has studied and written about martial arts since 1971. This book is the result of a 7-year intensive study of grappling techniques with the stick and cane. As a professional medical writer and instructional designer, Lang has also created a well-written book with several features that will help readers understand, learn and remember these techniques.

Contents

Foreword
Preface
About this book
Part 1 Of sticks and canes
Chapter 1 The stick and cane as weapons
An overview of stick weapons
Forms of combat with the stick and cane
The stick and cane in close combat
Martial arts training with the stick and cane
Chapter 2 Traditions of stick and cane fighting
Africa/United States 'kicking and sticking'
Canary Islands Juego del Palo
France La Canne and Le Baton
Great Britian Singlestick (backswording)
Hawaii Lua
India Silambam and Gatka
Ireland Bualadh-Bata
Japan Hanbojutsu
Japan Tanjojutsu
Japan/Hawaii Bokendo
Korea Hapkido
The Middle East Tahtib
The Philippines Kali, Arnis de Mano, and Escrima
Portugal Jogo do Pau
United States American self-protection
United States The straight, side-handled, and riot police batons
Part 2 Stick techniques
Chapter 3 Handling the stick
Terms used in the descriptions
Gripping the stick The sword grip
Standing with the stick The beginning position
Striking with the stick
Holding with the stick
Capturing the wrist The forearm parry and slide
Moving the stick to teh vertical The hip-body turn
Chapter 4 Stick techniques against a reach
Chapter 5 Stick techniques against a grip on the stick
Chapter 6 Stick techniques against a grip on the body
Chapter 7 Stick techniques against a punch
Techniques from outside
Techniques from inside
Chapter 8 Stick techniques against a kick
Chapter 9 Disarming techniques for the stick
Part 3 Cane techniques
Chapter 10 Handling the cane
Introduction
Preparing the hook-handled cane
The intended use of the cane
The combative use of the cane
Terms used in the descriptions
Gripping the cane
Standing with the cane The beginning position
Holding with the cane
Chapter 11 Cane techniques from the in-line grip
Chapter 12 Cane techniques from the carrying grip
Part 4 More skills, thoughts, and information
Chapter 13 Rolls with the stick or cane
Chapter 14 Warm-up exercises
Hand and wrist exercises
Forearm and arm exercises
Shoulder exercises
Chapter 15 Less-reliable techniques
Chapter 16 Information on stick and cane fighting (bibliography)
Books primarily on stick, staff, or cane fighting
Books with sections on stick, staff, or cane fighting
Videotapes and compact discs on stick, staff, or cane fighting
Web sites on stick, staff, or cane fighting
Recommended hanbp ang cane providers
List of stick techniques
List of cane techniques
About the author