The Best Books to learn Stick Fighting martial arts

Stick Fighting is an ancient martial art that is still alive and kicking today. You don’t have to be a genius to figure out what it involves either, but the point is to be able to both defend yourself from stick attacks, as well as pose an offensive threat too. As a result of being applicable in many real life situations, Stick Fighting is often taught to law enforcement, as well as those who simply wish to learn a practical, realistic form of self defense.

One way to enhance your learning is by reading books. Often, these books will be accompanied with a variety of demonstrational photographs that accompany the key moves. In short, if you don’t have access to training in person, then this is the next best thing. From short, to long sticks – we’ve covered everything here and have covered various cultures and countries, looking far east to Japan and the Philippines, whilst also looking at the Stick Fighting methods found in Ireland.

These books have been selected based on price, quality, detail, and convenience of reading. Without further delay, here are the best books to learn about Stick Fighting.

The Art and Science of Stick Fighting by Joe Varady

This book blends eastern and western styles to bring you the best of techniques when it comes to Stick Fighting. This means there are elements of Kali and more western styles too. It also has over 700 photo demonstrations which are especially helpful for those who favor visual learning. One of the best parts about this book is that Varady also teaches you how to spar Stick Fighting in a safe and correct manner. Too often, people either don’t spar at all or do it in a dangerous way. As this book looks at multiple disciplines, you can also expect large and short sticks so it suits everyone. Here, Varady will guide you through the correct ways to get the most out of Stick Fighting.

Filipino Stick Fighting Techniques by Mark Wiley

For those wondering, this book has personal accounts by Grandmaster Angel Cabales who is known as the father of Escrima. With this said, this book is a piece of history as much as anything. Here, the author goes through various methods such as stances, self defense tactics, body positioning, and most importantly what your hands are up to. As mentioned earlier though, this is not just about techniques and also goes through the history. WIth this in mind, if you’re a history buff who’s into Filipino Stick Fighting then this book is ideal.

Fighting Irish: The Art Of Irish Stick-Fighting by John Hurley

As the name suggests, this book is based on the Irish history of the Shillelagh. The Shillelagh was used by Irishmen in farms and also originated as a form of fencing. This book is as much a history lesson as it is about teaching you about using the Shillelagh. But fear not, it is a genuine learners book and you can gain a lot of techniques from reading it. Further, you can even craft your own Shillelagh from wood so it’s ideal for those on a budget who also fancy something a bit different.

Twerps, Goons and Meatshields by James LaFond

As a complete beginner, you may wonder what these terms are. This is what LaFond sets out to explain in his book and with a man who brags 449 wins, 171 losses and 53 draws in Stick Fighting, you know he should be taken seriously. This book looks at both learning for beginners, and also more advanced techniques. What’s refreshing about this book is that it’s written by someone who really lived the Stick Fighting lifestyle and has the bruises to show for it. The only issue is that it doesn’t use illustrations, which can be frustrating when trying to understand what is being taught.

Raising Cane by Octavio Ramos

Raising Cane is unsurprisingly based on the art of Cane Fighting, which specializes in using the cane as a dangerous weapon. This art form has been used in the likes of Hapkido and is no joke. What’s good about this is that it can be used as a walking implement so is perfectly legal whilst also offering a layer of self defense – especially for the elderly. Here, Ramos shows various techniques which are both offensive and defensive, meaning you can walk down the streets confidently in the future after reading this.

Stick Fighting: Techniques of Self-Defense by Quentan Chambers

This book is based entirely on Kukishin Ryu which is a Japanese form of Stick Fighting. According to the author, western methods that use the stick aren’t as effective. Whatever your belief, it’s a well written, detailed account of how to use Kukishin Ryu in a self defense situation. This features sections on grip fighting, stances, grabbing clothes and immobilizing the weapon of the attacker. Overall, you can tell that the author is very knowledgeable and knows his stuff. Even if you’re well versed in other Stick Fighting arts, this is well worth a read.

Modern Arnis by Remy Presas

In Modern Arnis, Remy Presas does a good job in explaining the basics of Arnis and looks at angles, drills, and warm ups. A big part of this book is that it focuses on hand and arm movements. As a result, it actually teaches a fair amount of techniques without sticks. The reason for this is that supposedly, the movements are more important than using the sticks. In other words, this book is perfect for those looking to improve their fundamental movements that are so critical to learning Arnis and other Stick Fighting martial arts.

The Secrets of Kalis Ilustrisimo by Antonio Diego

This book is a good example of a text that mixes history, culture and practical everyday techniques. In short, it begins by outlining Kali and its significance to the Philippines. Then, it delves into explaining the actual movements and fundamentals. If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide of Kali then this book offers a good explanation. At the same time, if you’re more experienced then it may be too basic at times, depending on your level of skill.

Practical Arnis Stick Fighting by Sam Fury

With a name like Sam Fury, you know the author is going to be a great martial artist! On to the book, this combines the ancient art of Stick Fighting with a modern twist. Here, Fury looks at fighting with pool cues, umbrellas, and stakes. It also comes with a large section that is based on disarming an armed attacker. As well, it also has bonus material on yoga stretches and how to swim underwater correctly. Whilst these may not be relevant to Stick Fighting, they’re still a nice addition. You can also expect helpful diagrams, drills, and other methods that will all improve your Stick Fighting skills.

The Art and Science of Staff Fighting by Joe Varady

Author Joe Varady returns, this time focusing on staff fighting which is essentially stick fighting with long distance weapons. Like his book on shorter sticks, this is also filled with over 600 photos, various arts and techniques to learn from. It’s fair to say that Varady knows exactly what he’s doing when it comes to Stick Fighting with this in mind. Sadly, there are actually not too many books on long distance Stick Fighting, so this book is a welcome piece of literature.