LEVEL ONE

Covers, Strikes and Retention

Overview
● A practical approach to utilizing the cane as part of a set of tactical self-defense options.
● Available to individuals who may need the cane for mobility assistance.
● Supplemental material to compliment current martial arts training, not replace by
requiring a student to learn things not directly applicable to self-defense with the cane.

Advantages
● Your effective range is greatly extended when employing a cane.
● You can carry it anywhere.
● Not obvious
● It is always deployed.
● High energy impact potential
● Does not require a high level of technical skill to wield
● Very versatile

Disadvantages
● Size is best for mid and long range

Types of Canes
● Hooked Canes
○ Americans with Disabilities Act classifies as a medical device
■ Law allows it to be carried anywhere anytime, but does not specify how it
must be carried.
● Walking Sticks
○ Straight stick with knobbed end can be considered a club or felony bludgeon in
several states (CA, Il, NY have provisions about this as a bludgeon)
■ The intent of the carrier is the key issue.
● Carrying with the intent to be armed, or cause harm will cause the
cane to be considered a weapon by law enforcement
■ Research the local laws covering clubs and blunt instruments in your area

Terminology
● The cane should be referred to as a medical device or tool- not a weapon
○ Do not mention self-defense weapon as the intent to be armed can create legal
liability in terms of use of excessive/lethal force.
○ Teeth on some canes can be best described as:
■ Ornate decorations
■ Band Holders
■ Back Scratchers
Grips- “It’s not the item in the hand, it’s the hand the item is in.”
● Single Hand
○ Thumb Up (Reverse Grip)
■ Requires a lot of physical attributes
○ Thumb Down
■ Allows a more natural grip
● Reinforced Single Hand
○ Speed and Control for recovery
● Double Handed
○ More Power
○ Slower

Stances
● Situational Ready: Cane in relaxed position, arms down, hands on grip 1 & 3.
● Shielding: Tip of Cane up, one hand bracing the shaft with fingers flat behind
cane other gripping cane and the bottom of the shaft near the crook.
● Carry case: Single hand carry. Hand in relaxed grip. Used for carrying cane
around without using it as mobility aid.

Strikes & Targets

● Angle 1 (Shaft or Crook)
○ Head
○ Elbows
● Angle 2 (Shaft or Crook)
○ Head
○ Elbows
● Angle 3 (Shaft)
○ Legs
● Angle 4 (Shaft)
○ Legs
● Angle 5 (Shaft or Crook)
○ Center Line
■ Top down = Head
■ Bottom-up = Groin
● Thrusting
○ Single Handed
○ Double Handed
■ Tip or Crook
■ Center
8 Direction Movement Series (Cane is at Situational Ready position with Crook in right
hand)
1. Moving Forward
a. Move to Shield (High Tip) as the left foot moves forward
b. Downward Press
c. Low Thrust with Tip
d. High Thrust with Tip or Top of Crook
2. Moving Backward
a. Move to Shield (High Crook) as the left foot moves back
b. Downward Press
c. Low Thrust with Crook
d. High Thrust with Crook
3. Moving to the Left
a. Move the left foot outward to the left
i. Rotate the cane inward and up across your body
b. Strike down with the cane until parallel with hips
c. Raise and rotate the Crook of cane to Palm Down and deliver an Angle 1 Strike
4. Moving to the Right
a. Move the right foot outward to the right
b. Rotate the cane outward and up
c. Strike down with the cane until parallel with hips
d. Raise and rotate the Crook of cane to Palm Down and delivery an Angle 5 Thrust
with the Crook
5. Moving to the Forward Left Angle
a. Move the left foot forward at a 45-degree angle to the opponent
b. Angle the shaft of the cane at a downward angle between you and opponent
c. Drop the cane down for a low strike with the shaft to legs
6. Moving to the Forward Right Angle
a. Move the right foot forward at a 45-degree angle to the opponent
b. Angle the shaft of the cane at a downward angle between you and opponent
c. Drop the cane down for a low strike with the shaft to legs
7. Moving to the Rear Left Angle
a. Move the left foot backward at a 45-degree angle to the opponent
b. Strike with the cane in an upward angle motion
c. Reverse the cane and drop the cane down for a low strike with the shaft to legs
8. Moving the Rear Right Angle
a. Move the right foot backward at a 45-degree angle to the opponent
b. Strike with the cane in an upward angle motion
c. Reverse the cane and drop the cane down for a low strike with the shaft to legs
Shielding & Striking Sets
1. Horizontal
a. Bring the Cane to a Shield position with the supporting hand bracing the shaft of
the cane, but not gripping it (protect those fingers!)
b. From the hips move the vertical cane from left to right in a windshield wiper
motion to intercept on-coming strikes from either side
c. Once contact with the arm is made press down with the shaft of the cane
d. Thrust low with the tip of the cane to the opponents' body
e. Thrust high with the tip of the can to the opponents face
f. Swing the cane in an Angle 3 strike to legs
g. Reverse the swing back to Angle 4 strikes to legs
h. Return to Shield position
2. Vertical (when you don’t have much room, think between cars in a parking lot)
a. Bring the Cane to a Shield position with the supporting hand bracing the shaft of
the cane, but not gripping it (protect those fingers!)
b. From the hips move the vertical cane from left to right in a windshield wiper
motion to intercept on-coming strikes from either side
c. Once contact with the arm is made press down with the shaft of the cane
d. Thrust low with the tip of the cane to the opponents' body
e. Thrust high with the tip of the can to the opponents face
f. Vertical Strike with the horn of cane from groin to chin
g. Step forward into a Crook Strike to the opponents head
h. Step back to return to Shield position
3. From Push

Retention ​(Cane retention should be done under the idea that your cane was grabbed after a
confrontation began, so how you get to the point where the tool is grabbed might vary.)
1. From Push to Grab
a. As the opponent tries to push or strike bring the cane up from Situational Ready
with both hands to strike the underside of their arms
b. Opponent grabs the cane with both hands
c. Rotate hips as your bring right hand up with a Crook Strike to the opponent’s
head
d. Reverse the hip rotation and bring crook down as you drive a tip strike to the
opponent’s head
i. This brings the cane to Vertical against their wrist
e. Once contact with the arm is made press down with the shaft of the cane
f. Thrust low with the tip of the cane to the opponent’s body
g. Thrust high with the tip of the can to the opponent’s face
h. Based on space you could choose:
i. Vertical Crook Strike to Body (Groin or Chin)
ii. Horizontal Strikes to Legs