If the teenage girl, in your life told you she did not like boys and she wanted nunchucks, a stick, and karate classes, what would you say?

2025-12-23T02:41:43-05:00

Nunchaku (or nunchucks) are traditional Okinawan martial arts weapons consisting of two sticks connected by a short chain or rope, used for training hand speed and coordination, with modern types ranging from lightweight foam for practice to heavy metal for strength; they are popular in martial arts but have legal restrictions in some places, so checking local laws is crucial.

Types of Nunchaku

Wooden: Traditional hardwood, good for realistic feel and solid feedback.

Foam: Lightweight and padded, ideal for beginners and safe practice.

Metal (Steel, Aluminum): Heavier, used for strength training and durability.

Graphite/Carbon Fiber: Lightweight and strong, popular for speed and competition.

Cord vs. Chain: Cord allows for adjustable length, while chains offer smooth rotation and durability.

Origin & Use

Origin: Developed in Okinawa, Japan, from tools used for threshing rice.

Purpose: Primarily for martial arts training to improve posture, speed, and reflexes, though they can be used as weapons.

Famous Association: Popularized globally by martial arts icon Bruce Lee.

Legal Status & Safety

Varies by Location: Legality differs significantly; some areas ban them due to potential misuse as weapons, while others permit them for sport.

Safety First: Always practice with supervision (like a sensei) and start with safe, lightweight versions like foam nunchaku to avoid injury, as they are potent weapons.

Learning & Practice

Start with basic figure-eight motions, moving slowly and focusing on smooth, controlled movements.

Practice on both sides and gradually increase speed and complexity, incorporating wrist rolls and switches.

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Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Dec 23 at 2025 2:46 AM

2025-12-23T02:46:59-05:00

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Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Dec 23 at 2025 2:50 AM

2025-12-23T02:50:35-05:00

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Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Dec 23 at 2025 2:54 AM

2025-12-23T02:54:50-05:00

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Response by Maj Robert Thornton made Dec 23 at 2025 4:28 AM

2025-12-23T04:28:36-05:00

If either of my grandkids came to me wanting to learn martial arts, I would research the local studio’s and enroll them. I sponsored all three of my grands for their preschool in at a local church. Why not self- defense training.
My two oldest grands will soon learn firearms training from me. I think it is very important to know what to do if they were to encounter an unsecured firearm. I have already gotten permission from my son to do this, so probably in the spring we will go to the range I use on the properties I hunt. Cheers

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Dec 23 at 2025 5:42 AM

2025-12-23T05:42:01-05:00

We Had A Female Karate Instructor At Osan AFB In S. Korea - She Went By The Name Of Jackie. Never Did Know Her Korean Name - And Unfortunately, I Never Thought Of Asking Her, But Should Have, If For No Other Reason Than Respect And Courtesy

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Dec 23 at 2025 6:38 AM

2025-12-23T06:38:10-05:00

You go girl! One of my granddaughters was a "tom boy" and into basketball and soccer...she is 5'11 and very athletic...now an AIC in the Air Force and a B-52 mechanic married to a AF security policeman.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Dec 23 at 2025 7:22 AM

2025-12-23T07:22:17-05:00

I’d have to say go for it.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Dec 23 at 2025 8:14 AM

2025-12-23T08:14:13-05:00

Let her go for it. My martial arts class had a mixture of men and women, although the women usually didn't stay for the advanced belts above the first black belt.
We (Shoalin) use a variety of weapons, numchaku's. Bo (big staff), short sticks, triple staff, etc. We did not start with foam numchaku's. You learn pretty quick how not too brain yourself.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Dec 23 at 2025 8:18 AM

2025-12-23T08:18:44-05:00

PO3 Phyllis Maynard Where is there a law that martial arts is for males only? Nowhere that I know of! If that's her passion, do it. If nobody likes it, well, the hell with their short sights mindset.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Dec 23 at 2025 8:59 AM

2025-12-23T08:59:47-05:00

My Granddaughter has been in American Girl magazine, won awards for dancing and takes kick boxing. A girl should be able to defend herself

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Dec 23 at 2025 9:19 AM

2025-12-23T09:19:05-05:00

Let her have it it. I had some of my own, which I made myself, back in those days when I used to watch the American Ninja movies. a lot of pain came with that as I tried to learn how to use them without instruction (i.e. emulating the movies). I only wish then I had the access to the classes to learn certain martial arts courses we can easily find today, but living overseas made things like that hit or miss. Luckily, my father was a Judo instructor and one of the founding members of Judo for West Point. So I got some training... But I wanted to learn Kendo and other things back then.

Response by SGT Mary G. made Dec 23 at 2025 2:17 PM

2025-12-23T14:17:56-05:00

PO3 Phyllis Maynard She will be much safer mastering those skills - with or without the Nunchaku on her person. It also sounds like useful preliminary training for Karate, or some other path to martial arts mastery.

I had a friend, time and place, in the early 80 who was skilled with nunchucks. i agreed to try . . .
It certainly provided a lot of insight into the work and required skill needed, lol.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Dec 23 at 2025 2:50 PM

2025-12-23T14:50:38-05:00

I'd say have at it.

Response by Sgt Albert Castro made Dec 23 at 2025 6:32 PM

2025-12-23T18:32:24-05:00

The boys better run!

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 23 at 2025 11:08 PM

2025-12-23T23:08:49-05:00

If it was one of my grandchildren... (I'm saying specifically my grandchildren, it may not be necessary for yours)...

If they want something, I make them research what they want for a good quality item and how much it costs to actually get it. Then I give them a task(s) that allows them to earn the money needed. Usually, once they have the cash in hand, they often find out that there is something else they want more. And something they actually have to work for is far less likely to end up in the back of the closet.

If I pay for lessons, my grandkids know that it is a two-year commitment.