Why We Use Canes

Most self-defense programs are made up of striking or grappling techniques. A few self-defense systems use techniques from both. Striking and grappling techniques can both be effective but sometimes a defender needs an equalizer. Policeman carry night sticks and tasers for this reason.

The laws of the United States ban most weapons but one tool legal to carry anywhere is the cane. The cane is not necessarily a weapon but it can used for this purpose. Itse asiassa, it is one of the most versatile weapons in a martial artist’s tool bag.

The cane consists of the tip, the shaft, the crook and the crook tip. You can strike with the tip, shaft, crook and crook tip. You can also use the crook to hook body parts, pull someone in for a more devastating strike or displace their body.

While striking and grappling techniques can be especially effective, a 100 pound male or female would struggle to use them effectively against a 220 pound man. Few if any 160 pound policemen would take on a 250 pound criminal under similar circumstances.

We teach cane techniques through a series of drills, forms and self-defense application. I learned much of my cane techniques from the Goju Shorei Weapons System, which I heartily endorse.

The cane is one of the speciality areas in the Zimmerman Self-Defense System. Some students will decide to specialize in the cane. One of the first things they will learn is Cane Set 1 below.

The cane can be used in combination with barehanded striking and grappling or by itself to successfully defend yourself. If you are looking for a tool to add to your self-defense tool bag, you should give the cane a chance. Its possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

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