Swinging Lessons

"Poi" in Maori history has been used as a weapon. A rock on the end of flax cords swung at their enemies. Poi are also used as a training aid for other ancient weapons like the Mere or Patu (Short club).

However the art if swinging items goes much further back into history. Many of these swung items were parts of or are a type of weapon.

A shaft or staff type weapon uses a leverage type force to create momentum. Depending on the weight of the shaft weapon a lot of strength is required to get the movement going but the speed of the tip of the weapon, where the damage is done, is greatly increased.

The reason sectional, chained or flexible shafted tools make such excellent weapons is because of the "whip" amplifying effect of the "cords" causing a small hand movement to be translated into a much larger movement and hence bigger momentum. This then translates into either a greater thowing distance and/or bigger impact once the head of the weapon hits the target. You will most likely already know this if you have ever been hit by some fast moving poi.

The sling, two flexible cords with a little pocket hung in the middle to contain the missile. one core is attached to the hand and the other cord held by the thumb which is used to time the release of the missile. The longer the cords the further the throw. See also The sling.

The mace is another one of man's oldest swinging weapons. Flails have spiked heavy balls attached to a chain and then to a short pole which the user holds onto to swing.

The Trebuchet catapults had a sling attached to the end of the main swinging arm. This gave additional "whip" effect for throwing the missiles further and faster. See also Catapult history

The rope dart is a small spear/dart attached to a long cord. Can be thrown and swung. See also The rope dart.

The bola's or bolo's are a hunting tool made of three ropes all attached together at one end and with hard balls at the other. Once thrown the balls entangle themselves around the target. See also bola as a rhythmic instrument

There are of course many other martial arts swinging weapons. Nunchuks, Kusari-fundo, Kusari-gama, Kyoketsu-shogei, Whip chain to name a few

See also Ninja weapons, Lighted Nunchuk