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