| By now, you're probably already familiar with throwing | | | | shuriken prior to a throw. |
| stars. These are the quintessential ninja weapons | | | | Throwing the shuriken |
| apart from the katana and no ninjitsu practitioner | | | | There are several ways you can actually use the |
| should ever be without it. The throwing star, also | | | | throwing stars. The most common include the |
| known as the shuriken, can be a formidable | | | | overhand (the same manner you'd use if you were |
| self-defense weapon but only if you're someone who | | | | throwing a dart), the underhand and the sidearm. The |
| knows how to use it. To be able to deploy shuriken | | | | movement involved in the sidearm throw is similar to |
| efficiently and safely, learn how to use them. Here | | | | the movement you'd be using if you were throwing a |
| are tips on how to practice using the throwing star: | | | | frisbee -- your hand comes from your chest and your |
| Understand the weapon | | | | arm straightens as you release the star. |
| Throwing stars are not always deadly. In fact, they | | | | The underhand throw requires a little bit of skill and |
| were generally used to temporarily disable an enemy, | | | | strength but it can be quite effective and such, should |
| make it difficult for them to move or use their | | | | be practiced as well. The throwing star is held |
| weapons or at least discourage them from attacking. | | | | between two fingers with the palm facing backward, |
| Only if they hit the target in places such as the throat | | | | arm straight on the side of the body. As you draw |
| or neck can the throwing star actually become lethal. | | | | the arm out from underneath, you release the star as |
| | | | | soon as your arm is parallel to the ground. |
| A throwing star has 6 to 8 sharp points. When | | | | Learning to gauge the distance |
| thrown properly, it can hit the target vertically, | | | | The only way a throwing star becomes effective is if |
| horizontally or diagonally from 10 to about 30 feet. | | | | it actually hits the target. Practice using it at different |
| Holding and concealing the throwing star | | | | distances -- 5 feet, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 feet. You'll |
| To begin practicing using throwing stars, learn how to | | | | find that the force necessary to reach a target will |
| hold them properly. The first skill you need to learn is | | | | increase as the distance increases. Through muscle |
| how to conceal them. Do this by keeping the | | | | memory, you'll be able to determine how much force |
| shooting star in the palm of your hand. Practice | | | | or effort to put into your throw depending on the |
| holding it firmly enough so you don't drop it and it | | | | distance involved. |
| doesn't cut your hand. From this original position, you | | | | To practice using throwing stars efficiently, use a |
| can begin learning how to slip the throwing star from | | | | cardboard target, a plyboard or a piece of wood. |
| your palm to fit between your forefinger and thumb. | | | | Make sure these are propped against a concrete wall |
| These two fingers are often used to hold a tip of the | | | | to avoid any accidents. |