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Curated by: Augustus Roe (148 videos)
What's the best way to use a stick for self-defence? From Fairbairn's close-combat methods and military combatives to baseball bat defence and Filipino martial arts like Arnis, Eskrima and Kali, there are many ways to fight with a stick. But which grip works best under pressure? I put three different approaches to the test to find out. THREE WAYS TO FIGHT WITH A STICK: The Bat — A two-handed baseball bat grip designed for powerful swings. The Baton — A one-handed grip offering reach, speed and the ability to strike repeatedly from different angles. The Bayonet — An over-under, two-handed grip that keeps the stick close to the body and allows for close-range control. To put these methods to the test, I recruited a training partner with experience in Japanese martial arts but no specific training in short-stick fighting. We practised the same eight attack angles with each grip before testing them against an opponent trying to close the distance, land a decisive strike or take control of the stick. Each attempt lasted up to 30 seconds. Would the power of the baseball bat grip win out, or would the speed of a one-handed stick or the close-range control of the over-under grip prove more effective? Watch until the end to see the results and discover which grip I'd choose. WHICH STICK-FIGHTING METHOD DO YOU THINK WOULD WORK BEST? Let me know in the comments! If you've trained in Arnis, Eskrima, Kali, military combatives, Fairbairn-style close combat or another weapon-based martial art, I'd love to hear about your experience. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Which Stick Grip Works Best? 00:41 – The Three Grips Explained 01:21 – The Rules of the Experiment 02:32 – Test 1: The Bat Grip 05:59 – What We Learned From the Bat Grip 06:05 – Test 2: The One-Handed Baton Grip 09:16 – What We Learned From the Baton Grip 10:22 – Test 3: The Over-Under Grip 13:30 – What We Learned From the Final Test 14:18 – The Verdict: Which Grip Works Best? 15:28 – Final Thoughts STICK-FIGHTING BOOKS AND RESOURCES Get Tough and Combato: Two in One Series By W. E. Fairbairn & Bill Underwood Ebook: https://link.amazon/B0hgDkoyY Paperback: https://link.amazon/B04t4OOhv Hardcover: https://link.amazon/B02uPtdFu The Art and Science of Stick Fighting: Complete Instructional Guide By Joe Varady Ebook: https://amzn.to/3Ny6ckB Paperback: https://amzn.to/411JTGY Hardcover: https://amzn.to/4bk3CGX MY BOOKS Legendary Masters of the Martial Arts Ebook: https://amzn.to/47DBD4g Hardback: https://amzn.to/47SzcJU Paperback: https://amzn.to/47DBIF6 The Martial Arts of Vietnam: An Overview of History and Styles Ebook: https://amzn.to/41bESMq Paperback: https://amzn.to/48jTgWz Top 10 Techniques Every Fighter Should Know Kicks Ebook: https://amzn.to/4cdrOMM Paperback: https://amzn.to/3Qc5732 Elbows and Knees Ebook: https://amzn.to/4mzYOlT Paperback: https://amzn.to/4taBuO2 Some links above are affiliate links, which may earn me a commission at no additional cost to you. WATCH NEXT: Watch me explore William Fairbairn's close-combat training and the SOE syllabus with Battalion Martial Arts in York: https://youtu.be/qmgyIM7gn2E?si=EGTW1FFuO5ta7kmS SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE For evidence-based investigations into martial arts history, traditional fighting systems, combat sports, self-defence, military combatives and the myths surrounding martial arts, subscribe to the channel. Martial Arts Investigated — the evidence, not the legend. **SAFETY NOTE:** This video is a controlled experiment, not a definitive ranking of all stick-fighting systems or a guarantee of real-world