quarterstaff

A quarterstaff is a long, two-handed wooden weapon used in European martial traditions. Typically made from hardwoods such as ash or oak, it measures about six feet (roughly 1.8 meters) in length, though shorter or longer examples exist. The name is thought to reflect leverage offered by different grips along the length of the staff, rather than a fixed subdivision. The weapon is usually unshod and cylindrical, with a moderate diameter that facilitates a secure two-handed grip.

Fighting technique centers on two-handed control, with the dominant hand near the top and the other hand toward the bottom. Practitioners employ a variety of guards, stances, and footwork to manage distance and balance. Common techniques include blocks and parries against blows, upward and downward strikes, thrusts to openings, and sweeping or hooking motions to disrupt an opponent’s balance. Training emphasizes leverage, timing, and the ability to interrupt an adversary’s attacks rather than sheer force.

Historically, the quarterstaff was used in late medieval and early modern Europe, particularly in England. It was common among civilians as a militia tool and in street-level self-defense, and it appears in multiple fencing treatises from the period. As firearms became dominant, the quarterstaff’s practical military use declined, though it persisted in folk usage and decorative or ceremonial contexts, and it remains a focus of historical European martial arts scholarship.

In modern times, the quarterstaff is studied within historical European martial arts (HEMA) communities, which reconstruct period techniques from historical sources. It is also practiced in stage combat and some sport contexts, with emphasis on safety and controlled movements. Modern practice often uses padded staffs and protective gear during training and demonstrations.