rogue

Not at all dizaster - that is why you train. The first couple of times it may be scary and difficult, but once you learn to practice with it, and eventually master it, you'll be fine.

Always learn from a professional though, and don't try to learn from books, DVDs, or from an unqualified friend.

Matt Walker

When training you do not use 'real' weapons. Depending on your instructor, you will probably use wooden or foam imitations.

Of course a wooden Bo would hurt if you hit your self, but it isn’t going to slice anything off .

Ensicon

Training to fight with weapons is on a whole other level than fighting with your arms and legs, if you are trained in weapons you can use anything in your environment as a weapon (sounds kind of cheesy, but like Jackie Chan in his movies).

Bryan

Not always. Though if you are trained in something like a spear, or a staff, you can probably use something like a long board to your advantage, it is very different at times, and sometimes, could even cause injury to the fighter with the weapon if he doesn't know how to handle it correctly.

Link

Learning with a DVD?

I've never trained with weapons seriously, picked up a bit here and there in regards to staff, chucks etc, but nothing dedicated.

I can't even fathom the world of hurt you'd be in trying to learn just about any weapon style via a book or dvd.

Bishop

Wow, I'm suprised of all of you training in weapons. I've never done anything with weapons. I've always been a hand to hand kinda guy. I don't see how weapon training can really come in handy...how often do you carry a staff around with you?

Only weapon I've trained in is my 9mm pistol at the shooting range. Does that count??