“Alright, the next drill is even more difficult!” I said to a chorus of groans. It’s accuracy night in line drills and I have been progressively making each drill more challenging. Each target is increasingly smaller, requiring that much more precision. The drills have essentially moved into a realm where even the most experienced students are…
Riding Level 3: Drill Manoeuvres From Roman cavalry, to mediaeval heavy lance, to early modern light horse, mounted warriors have needed the ability to ride in organized formations, and exercises for training groups of riders have existed since Xenophon. You can still see the modern equivalent in drill team exhibitions and our own RCMP Musical…
Class 5 begins and we are back to the rapier. My body is sore from yesterday’s Sun Run and I cannot focus. I am embarrassed by my inability to grasp what is being asked of me. I think I understand, but cannot execute the movements requested. Thankfully, our odd number makes it possible for me to…
There is an interesting phrase pair I have been hearing from a lot of instructors recently. I hear: “Practice makes perfect." Then an admonishment: “No. Practice makes permanent. So make sure you don’t practice poorly!" The first is a message of hope and resilience. If you practice and stay the course, you can find mastery.…
Riding Level 3: Dismount at the Walk There are times when it's neither convenient nor possible to wait till your horse has come to full halt before departing the saddle. Sometimes your horse or your opponent forces the situation; in other cases you may make the decision to get to the ground ahead of time. …
I watched no martial arts movies over the weekend, which would be unusual except for the fact that it is hockey season. Now there’s some interesting martial arts for you -- I wonder if those hockey sticks are as well balanced as my rapier! I find myself really looking forward to Class 3. The only…
♪"Stop, Hammer time!"♫ (Apologies to MC Hammer.) What is a cultural ‘artistic’ reference in our time, was an invitation to ‘bring it’ in medieval times. For nearly two centuries, the warhammer was a weapon of choice for mounted medieval armoured combat. However, there seems to be a distinct lack of (recorded) knowledge of the fighting techniques…
Read More... from Book Review: "Warhammer, the Forgotten Weapon" by James Roth
"It's everyone from everywhere in one place." --Bruno Ramos, Knight's Blade HEMA Fresh from flying home from VISS at the end of last month, the statement above really resonated with my experiences with the Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium, and with my modest exposure to HEMA events internationally. Peers from all over the world fly across continents…
This coming Saturday, April 18th, we will welcome back Robert Borsos of Borsos Torzs Horse Archery for another day of ever-popular mounted archery. Beginner Horseback Archery takes place in the morning and is suitable for anyone, even if you've never shot an arrow or sat on a horse in your life. This workshop is a prerequisite…
You’ve just finished a sparring match. You were struck, but what happened? The ability to recall a fight in a useful manner is a different skill than those required to have that fight. Here’s a process you can use to develop fighting recall: Fight a pass. At the conclusion of the pass, pause and ask…
Read More... from Learning to Observe - How to Deconstruct a Fight
Riding Level 3: Rhythm and Forward Movement At level 3 we want you to ride with 7. Rhythm and forward movement at all three gaits. Walk on loose rein. Rhythm is the foundation of the Training Pyramid for dressage. First go and review this post on rhythm as it fits within the pyramid. As suggested,…
As I write this, my baby daughter is currently asleep in her crib, beside my bed. Behind her, leaning against the wall, is my longsword. I started swordfighting in February 2014. I wanted to learn, but I also wanted to improve my health. My husband and I had been trying for a baby for almost…
Finding the rhythm of your training and simply enjoying the process is a beautiful state to work toward in your martial endeavours. However, most of us also want to see progress. There’s a natural desire to be able to do a technique more deftly, swing a sword more powerfully, or defeat an opponent you couldn’t even…
Along with the daffodils and bunnies, a new series of Cavaliere program classes are springing up in April! If you are completely new to the program, come out for the Intro to Mounted Combat, or just show up as a spectator at the Mounted Combat Playday on Easter Sunday. And if you are working on…
If you plan to improve in your martial practice you need outside feedback. Here are three quality sources that you can seek out to get the most of your training time: 1. Well-Designed, Feedback-Oriented Exercises Instead of having to self-observe whether your mechanics are correct, a good exercise and good training partner will give you…
It’s easy to imagine our progress in life as a trip. A road that has twists and turns, ups and downs, and that if you’re resolute enough, and travel long enough, you’ll find your way to your destination. The trouble with this metaphor is it doesn’t account for the ephemeral nature of destinations in personal…
Read More... from The Role of Metaphor in Growth and Training
Riding Level 3: Canter Leads At level 2 we asked you to be able to canter in both directions 'without emphasis on position or lead.' At level 3 you will need to: 6. Canter circles with correct leads First, go and review these Level 2 posts on the Canter, and Identifying Canter Leads. In the…
One of the main errors I see people making in solitary practice is over-practicing a single action. Generally this comes in the form of practicing a complex, multi-part action, without the needed external stimulus (meaning an opponent/partner) to give the technique its contextual relevance, timing, and feeling. The negative outcome I have seen, for many,…
Read More... from Keep Solo Practice Effective by Not Over-Focusing