The Nunchaku Techniques

Nunchaku-do consists of many different techniques. These techniques are in the exam-rulebook divided in graduations. The exam-rulebook is currently being translated from Dutch into English. Soon you will be able to download this rulebook. A participant should learn how to do each technique randomly, blindly and in movement. The performance of a technique should also be perfect. When performing a technique, you should mind the following guidelines:

• When practicing the kumite and kata discipline, the nunchaku is usually held at the end of the handles. This ensures that the participant has a long reach. When practicing the freestyle discipline, the nunchaku is usually held at the the top of the handels. The parts of the nunchaku have for this reason different colours, namely black and yellow.

Hand positioning for kumite and kata		Hand positioning for freestyle

• Maximal range should be achieved when performing a technique. The techniques should be performed with the arms stretched
• The techniques should be centered. This means that they should be aimed at an (imaginary) opponent
• The participant should be in balance at all time
• The participant must have the right posture and attitude
• The nunchaku must always be under control
• The technique should be performed with confidence. The speed of the technique should be constant

Grip

The grip is the basic technique of nunchaku-do. It is a relative easy technique. A participant should be able to perform this technique at high speed. A beginner should be able to "grip" 40 times in 30 seconds, an expert should be able to grip 60 times in 30 seconds.

Basic Strikes

The basic strikes cover the most techniques. They are divided in:

• 8 upward strikes
• 8 downward strikes
• 8 sideward strikes
• 6 extension strikes
• 5 variation strikes
• 4 forward strikes

A great proportion of the basic strikes have a rotation. When a strike has a rotation, the nunchaku makes one whole turn.

Basic combinations

A basic combination is a sequence of basic strikes. Every basic combination starts and ends with a ceremony. The exam-rulebook contains 5 basic combinations. For the brown graduation, a participant must be able to demonstrate two self designed basic combinations.

It is allowed to block an attack of an opponent during a kumite-match.

The exam-rulebook contains 10 basic blocks.

Fragments

The fragments are techniques that should be studied by participants for the green, blue, brown and black graduation exam. Fragments are relative more complex then the basic strikes. The exam-rulebook contains 25 fragments in total.

Percentage strikes

Percentage strikes is the performance of basic strikes within a time limit. An expert participant should perform a basic strike for example within a time limit of 100 seconds. If he succeeds to perform the strike 100 times within this time limit, he will receive a mark of 100%. If he makes a mistake when handling the nunchaku, each mistakes will mean a subtraction of 1%. Dropping the nunchaku means a subtraction of 3%. Each graduations has different standards, but a beginner faces in general a standard of 92% and an expert a standard of 95%.

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