The Cane: Part 5 – Two Hand Weapon Retention

Retaining control of your cane is of primary importance and a two-hand grip is a significant advantage.

First, the two-hand grip is simply stronger. Your opponent has to work harder to wrest control of the cane from your secure two-hand grip. Second, it’s flexible and gives you immediate options for countering your opponent’s attempt to take your weapon; to turn your defense into an attack.

There are three two-hand cane retention strategies.

1. Convert the attempt to take your cane into a strike with the free portion of the cane. This is sometimes called a shield strike. Shield strikes are appropriate if the opponent grabs one end of the cane. You can strike with the opposite end of the cane using a horizontal or vertical butt stoke; even if the free end of the cane is the tip instead of the crook

2. Use the opponents grip on your cane to draw him into a strike with a different weapon. A head butt or a kick are typically set up in this situation. If the opponent grabs the center of your cane or grabs both ends at the same time you can pull the cane towards your own body and simultaneously drive your forehead into your opponent’s nose or sidekick his leading knee.

3. Use the opponent’s grip on your cane as your grip on him and execute a throw. If your opponent has a secure two-hand grip on your cane you can move the can in a direction to off-balance him and set up a judo throw. For example, by moving the cane to your left you can shift your opponent’s weight in that direction and set up a right side o-soto-gari throw.

When retention of your cane is threatened, the flexibility of your two-hand grip should be used to immediately convert the threat into an attack (parry-repost).

Link to Special Report Topics: The Neko Ryu Cane