Formal styles nunchuck
Nunchaku are most commonly used in Okinawan kobudo and karate, but it is also used in eskrima (accurately, the tabak-toyok, a similar though distinct Philippine weapon is used, as opposed to the Okinawan nunchaku), taekwondo and hapkido. Its application is different in each style. The traditional Okinawan forms use the sticks primarily to grip and lock. Filipino martial artists use it much the same way they would wield a stick, so striking is given precedence. Korean systems combine offensive and defensive moves so both locks and strikes are taught.
Nunchaku are usually wielded singly but they can also be paired. It can be whirled around, using its hardened handles for blunt force as well as wrapping its chain around an attacking weapon to immobilise or disarm the opponent. Nunchaku training has been noted to increase hand speed, correct posture, and condition the hands of the practitioner so it makes a useful training weapon.
There are some disciplines that combine nunchaku with unarmed techniques:
Mouh bong Taekwondo combines Korean nunchaku with taekwondo.
Nunch-Boxing combines nunchaku with kicking and punching techniques. Nunch-Boxing itself is part of the broader discipline Nenbushi.
Nunchaku en savate combines savate techniques with the nunchaku.
Freestyle nunchaku is a modern style of performance art using nunchaku as a visual tool rather than as a weapon. With the growing prevalence of the Internet the availability of nunchaku has increased greatly, combining this with the popularity of other video sharing sites many people have become interested in learning how to use the weapons for freestyle displays. Freestyle is one discipline of competition held by the World Nunchaku Association. Some modern martial arts teach the use of nunchaku as it may help students improve their reflexes, hand control, and other skills.
