Last weekend was the last of our regular Mounted Combat program classes at Red Colt for 2015; the regular series will be starting up again in February. However, don't despair! We are still doing private lessons for those who want to keep their riding legs in shape over the next two months. Stephanie Laversin will be…
Being safety-minded is a valuable trait in stage combat. However, shying away from choreography itself will only cause delays and disruption of the rehearsal process. Choosing to hold back and only perform slowly will certainly be safe and more comfortable for you, but will diminish the show you’re producing. All fight directors want you to…
By 1901, with some of the lessons of the Boer War learned, regular instruction in swordsmanship had practically been abandoned in the British army. So, when in 1914 the future Field Marshal Montgomery […] led a charge with sword in his right hand and revolver in his left and found himself confronted with a…
Read More... from Book Review: Masiello's "Broadsword", trans. by Col. Francis Vere Wright
Anyone can get caught in a dark place regarding how they view themselves and their progress in a skill. Making demands of ourselves to be our best can be a powerful motivating force; it can also be supremely destructive. In my own growth as both a swordsman and a dancer I have frequently reached a place where I…
Read More... from It's Not Poor Progress, It's Just Poor Attitude
Blue Spur: The Thrown Spear The spear is not only a useful weapon for mounted and ground encounters, it is also beautifully aerodynamic and easily balanced for throwing. Even stone-age spears were designed to be thrown, and this function of the shorter spear lasted all the way through most of history, to the modern sport…
Our sympathies go to the victims of the Paris terror attacks yesterday and their families. Like all terrorism incidents, we are all affected. How were the attacks coordinated? Who bears the responsibility? We don’t know at present, and it’s not important to today’s post. The question is: what you would do if a terrorist attack…
With one instructor intensive behind me and another coming in February, I've been thinking a lot about what it takes to be a great instructor. There are many false roads along this path and I've certainly had my share of internal struggles. I thought I'd share a few pieces of advice that I have found valuable.…
Read More... from Five Rules for Being a Great Martial Arts Instructor
Blue Spur: Disengages and Slips of the Spear Once you have learned to find, gain, and strike with the spear, we increase the complexity of drills by asking you to: Demonstrate manoeuvres of the spear: disengages, counter-disengages, and slips. Disengage A disengage, or cavazione, is often performed in response to having been found. In its…
Phew! It’s done! It was indeed an intense but satisfying experience teaching Academie Duello’s first formal, week-long instructor training intensive. From October 26th to 30th, thirteen aspiring instructors joined us here in Vancouver for a five-day, 50-hour intensive to kick off their ongoing instructor training program. Attendees hailed from both our local area (British Columbia's Lower Mainland) as well…
The body does the same things every day: sleep, eat, walk. The mind does different things every day: remembering, planning, having different conversations, seeing changes in the world. The body therefore benefits from novelty. Try a new skill. Eat something from a different culture. The mind benefits from consistency. Meditation at the same hour every…
You already know that I’m an advocate of slow speed fencing. However I also know that slow fencing is often difficult for new adopters who frequently jump in speed and tension as their attention swings around inside the encounter. Today I want to share an idea that can help you stay slow and develop your…
Read More... from Using Curiosity to Stay Slow in Slow Sparring
Blue Spur: Finding & Gaining the Spear Last week we looked at the three advantages of True Edge, Leverage, and Crossing as they apply to the spear or polearm. This week we are examining the mechanics of finding and gaining. Finding the Spear To find your opponent's spear, cross your spear tip over top of…
An excellent series of videos -- Mastering Savate by Professor Salem Assli and Panther Production -- has been uploaded to YouTube from VHS instructional tapes. Here is part 2 of the series which defines many of the core kicks and concepts: Mastering Savate 2 - Fundamental TechniquesWatch this video on YouTube If you want your kicks to…