Jogo do pau is the ancient and deadly art of Portugese stick combat. Based on the use of a 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 stack of Protugal 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 Master Nuno Russo, combined various national forms into a scientificallly-refined system of combat that held up in International competitions, culminating in the election of Jogo do Pau as 'the Most Effective Stick art' in 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 international stick compeititions.

For the first time, Luis Antonio Preto, holder of the black sash in the Lisbon School of Jogo do Pau, and the National technical director of the Portuguese Federation of Jogo do Pau, presents the results of Master Nuno and his development of Jogo do Pau as both a modern art for self-defense and for the vibrant world of competitive stick combat.

Going beyond the essentials of the Portugese martial art, Mr. Preto also presents a valuable training pedagogy based on the latest scientific wrok 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.

Chivalry Bookshelf is thus proud to present this first-ever English introduction to the potent art of Portugese stick fighting.

Students of any form of stick combat will benefit from the scientific underpinnings supporting Mr. Preto's training method and from the kinesthetic analysis of baton combat. This work will become a classic of the new world of Western martial arts.

Contents

Dedication
Acknowledgements
Foreword by Nuno Russo
Introduction
Part I
Chapter 1 The history of jogo do pau
Chapter 2 Definitions
Chapter 3 Todays jogo do pau
Part II
Chapter 4 Single combat forundations
Chapter 5 Single ocmbat attacks
Chapter 6 The parries
Chapter 7 Combinations
Chapter 8 Single combat
Chapter 9 Multiple opponents
Chapter 10 Baton-single-handed stick
Part III
Chapter 11 Art & science of teaching
Chapter 12 Sports science
Chapter 13 Training jogo do pau
Chapter 14 A personal view of self-defense
Bibliography