Once you have seen how many ways there are to throw a single stroke, it might dawn on you that all of those FMA counts with a dozen or more strokes are actually methods of retarding your versatility as a stick fighter. Each of the following strokes and variations will receive their own section in this guide.

These are all Number Ones. In Stick Fighting Basics a stroke only describes two things, the orientation of the attack, being either forehand or backhand, and the stroke angle.

We, at Modern Agonistics, only recognize 6 functional stick strokes [7 including the thrust].

Of the six functional stick strokes and the thrust, which I will cover in the Crooked Seven in the last section of this guide, only 4 strokes, and the thrust, are regarded as essential. The other two strokes are advanced, and the thrust is regarded as a defensive and mobility tactic, not an attack, and hence not a stroke proper.

Of the four basic essential stick strokes there is only one forehand, the descending diagonal stroke, which is the most basic instinctive weapon motion, and also permits the most nuanced amplification and application menu. The list below are the number of variations covered in this guide, for the simple descending forehand stroke.

1. jab

2. smash

3. step smash

4. lunge smash

5. shift smash

6. slash

7. pivot slash

8. shift slash

9. step slash

10. lateral slash

11. pass slash

12. lunge slash

13. cat slash

As can be seen by the possible variations, the slash permits a wider range of power and mobility body mechanics. If, for sadistic fun, we coached three identical stick fighters, and gave one only a jab, another only the smash, and the last only the slash, we would have put in place a hierarchy of motion. The smasher would crush the jabber and the slasher would rip the smasher to shreds. This menu is, like a restaurant menu, not intended to be consumed by one diner, but to offer a selection that fits individual taste.

A super athletic boxer would base his style around a jab, learning a smash and a slash for finishing blows. A wrestler or football player would rely on closing and smashing, supplemented by a jab for attacking the hands of a slasher and the slash for clearing the opponent's guard. Obviously a tennis player, baseball player or Thai style kicker would feel at home slashing, but would still want a jab and smash to round out his game.

You will not become expert at all of these variations, and should not try. Every stick fighter should have an effective jab.

Muscular men want a variety of smashes and at least one slash.

Thinner men want a variety of slashes and at least one smash.

Imagine the combinations that might be built with just three forehands and the three backhand strokes? Do not lose sight of the fact that effective stick fighting is—like boxing—largely a matter of developing effective combinations. As you practice your individual stroke fundamentals in the upcoming sections keep in kind that the eventual goal is the building of at least three instinctive combinations.