Different Types of Shaolin Staff?

[taichi4eva]

When talking about different types of Shaolin Staff, people often talk in terms of grip- shuang yin (both hands palmar side down) or yin yang (one hand palmar side up, one hand palmar side down). However, I was wondering if there are different types of staffs in general used at the Shaolin temple. For example, a staff used for qimeigun may or should be different than one used for fengmogun. I figure that when using both heads of the staff with a shuang yin grip, you want something thicker. If one is using a lot of whipping techniques, they would probably opt for something thinner and more maneuverable.

Any thoughts?

[RenDaHai]

Typically there is the YeCha Gun, Its 7-8 feet long, sharpened end. Used like a short spear, thrust and parry, many retreating movements. Its techniques survive in Shaolins many short spear forms. Though there are many techniques, they are all secondary to the thrust.

Then there is the MeiQi Gun. It is shorter than your body (up to eyebrows or there abouts). Since it is shorter than you the whipping techniques (hold with one hand at the end and use it a bit like a broadsword) and the hitting techniques (hold the staff like a samurai sword and cut) become as effective as the thrust.

Then there is somewhere in between. A standard walking staff may be a bit taller than you. With such a staff you can use either method where appropriate, as such these forms have many colourful techniques.

Any staff can be used with the Yin Hand strategy, typically if the opponents weapon is longer (or much heavier) than yours you may want to use the powerful (yet imprecise) yin hand grip to parry and to get in close.

There are also other special staffs.

Staff forms are a maze of different strategies making the staff hard to understand in its current state. I always suggest focusing on the short spear first, then it is easier to understand staff technique. The staff can transform itself into any other weapon pretty much, so it is both a beginner and an expert weapon.

Almost all staffs are either tapered or have a weight at the base. This way you can hold the heavy end and thrust with one hand easily, or you can use the base like a hammer.