Couple of Questions

[Brenden_Matthews]

Hi, this is my first time to post here.
Anyway, I will just go right to the point, and not waste your time any more than I need to <img src="/forum/images/icons/smirk.gif" alt="" />
My questions are:
1)I have read a couple conflicting things about this (not that my reading has been very extensive, just a few net searchs, and one through this site), but what is the "correct" length of staff in relation to one's height? (if it is important, I am 6'4")

2)I am not yet a member, but will be sending my application in in the next couple days, and I am curious as to what groups or individuals there are in ARMA in the Austin area. (unfortunatly, at the momnet my transportation is limited)

Thanks alot,

Brenden Matthews

[Casper Bradak]

In answer to your first question, it's mostly personal preference, but there are a few different, general, lengths that require modified styles to use. Read the manual of Master George Silver, he gives a length for at least one type of staff measured to your body.

[Brian Hunt]

Different lengths of staffs are used for different types of techniques. For example, just take a look at the variation in the length of staffs in Mair's manual. They go from around 5 ft up to somewhere around 12-15 ft.

the answer to your 1st question would be, it depends. It can be a short staff, like a walking stick all the way up to a very long staff.

hope that helps.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Guest]

The size depends on what kind of style you fight with. I know all about staffs and if you tell me your fighting style I will most likely know your length.

[Webmaster]

George Silver describes his "perfect length" for a staff as being roughly a foot longer than the height you can reach over your head, which as everyone else here has said is very much an individual measurement. Nobody else I'm familiar with (that has been translated yet) really goes into what length staff you should use. There are various instructions in German for short and long staff, but those aren't defined. Silver also has some instructions on using staffs longer than the perfect length, and how to beat them. My recommendation for getting started with staff would be to read Joseph Swetnam. Once you get used to the language style, he has some pretty straightforward instructions and explains the basic principles well. From there you can build on what you know with Silver and other masters.

Glad to hear somebody joining up in Austin! I don't think we have a study group there at the moment, but I'm a Longhorn and I'd love to see somebody start one. You're welcome to come down to Houston and train with us any time you can make it.

[Brenden_Matthews]

Hmm...that seems to be what I thought the answer might be. Thanks for the reading suggestions, I will get right on it. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> I am interested in learning quarterstaff, I think.

And I would love to come to houston, but very much doubt that I could make it. <img src="/forum/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" /> Perhaps once I re-obtain my own transportation I will start making the trip...(*crosses fingers hoping that will be sooner rather than later*)

[Webmaster]

If you can wrangle up enough people to make a study group, maybe we'll have an excuse to go up to Austin...

[Brenden_Matthews]

I have several people who want to join and form a group, but they are all a couple months away from being 18, or roundabouts. I am trying to get a couple more people who are already 18 for some more immediate action, so we'll see what happens. <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />