I don't use a "Bo" but I do use a staff - I favour mobility over "stance" - just as I do without a weapon.
in our bo work we use many of the normal "stances" found in many systems ie hangetsu dachi [half stance] this is one of the most common used shiko dachi [squat] neko ashi dachi [cat] kiba dachi [horse] zenkutsu dachi [dragon] plus normal kamae, musubu dachi etc etc and many others ... plus transitions between - and a lot of one legged ones! does this answer your question?
but you cant always be in motion So you need a comfortable postion to stand in that also allows you to defend youself in some way. I dont use bos but I do use polearms. too bad Im not at my on computer I could post a link to site with pollaxe stances
Depends on what you are standing on, who you are fighting, what type of weapon your opponent(s) has(have), the area you are in, your distance from the opponent. So many things to think about. If are in a confined space the bo may not be the best weapon but if you have to use it you can get in a stance that allows you thrust the stick with great efficiency.
Offensive ones, defensive ones, and bunch of things in the middle Stance is important, but I prefer the term posturing. I can posture myself to keep you away, or draw you in. To attack certain angles, to defend certain angles. But that has little to do with exact foot positioning or japanese words Posturing and mobility are two of the most important things you can know how to use, and often the most neglected...
the bo is a lovely weapon to work with but probably impractical in a street situation. A jo or shorter stick would be more easily carried ie improvise an umbrella and use it like a jo..
Many weapons are an extension of one''s own self. this is especially true about the Bo, long staff, Bong, whatever you want to name it. You can employ any stance that you use with your hands. the only one that is more limited with the bo than your hands is the horse stance. It is harder to throw high punches in a horse stance, and low punches, or sweeps, with the bo staff in a horse stance, those two techniques are best emplyed from afighting stance, or back legged stance.
The Bo is a realistic weapon. You can't use a stick that is taller than you as a jo, really. This is when Bo techniques become useful. Bo techniques = any stick your height or taller.
