Jogo do Pau: The Ancient Art and Modern Science of Portuguese Stick Fighting

by Luis Preto, Guy Windsor

Voted the "Most Effective Stick Art" at the International Congress of Stick Arts, 2000, Jogo do Pau is the stunningly effective form of long stick native to Portugal and practiced today as a growing martial art. Jogo do Pau is the ancient and deadly art of Portugese stick combat. Based on the use of the staff, Jogo do Pau combatants wield the staff with efficient power, as it has been used for centuries in the rough countryside of Portugal. Originating in the Middle Ages, the long combat stick of Portugal was mentioned as a favorite weapon of the Portugese champion Dom Nuno Alvares Pereira, who secured Portugese independence in the Battle of Aljubarrota. In Brazil, Copiera combatants encountered Jogo do Pau and were shocked at its efficiency. In the 1970s, legendary undefeated master of the stick Nuno Russo combined various national forms into a scientifically-refined system of combat that held up in International competitions, culminating in the election of Jogo do Pau as the "Most Effective Stick Art" at the 2000 International Congress of Stick Arts. In the 21st century, Jogo do Pau enjoys a wide reputation for nearly brutal effectiveness, but it has also been adapted for Internatioanl stick competitions. For the first time, Luis Antonio Preto, holder of the black sash in the Lisbon School for Jogo do Pau and the National Technical Director of the Portuguese Federation of Jogo do Pau, presents the results of Master Nuno Russo's system and his development of Jogo do Pau both as a modern art for self-defense and for the vibrant world of competitive stick combat. Going beyond the essentials Mr. Preto also presents a valuable training pedagogy based on the latest scientific work that enables combatants at all levels of skill to dramatically increase the focus and performance for their training time, useful in any martial art, whether or not the student practices Jogo do Pau.

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2005