This weekend was a momentous event for Academie Duello: our first Silver Cord (aka Provost) examination. A provost is one step below Maestro/Master and it represents an enormous achievement. Provosts are expected to demonstrate a high level of effectiveness within the school’s system, a demonstrable and defensible understanding of the school's pedagogy and theoretical approach,…
Bruce Lee needs little introduction to those who are interested in martial arts. Chances are, readers of this blog have seen at least parts of one or more of his movies. In our classes on pugilism, we sometimes talk about the mechanics of his notorious “1-inch punch” as a way of reminding students to use…
I have loosely followed a couple of different conversations that have touched on this topic within the HEMA community. The first is about a Trans woman who has been denied entry into the Pacific Northwest HEMA gathering Women’s Longsword tournament. (In short on this: I am in support of her inclusion. I think that at best…
My Introduction to the Italian Rapier DVD has finished post-production and is on its way to print! This is a pretty exciting moment for me as this project has been three years in the making. It’s being published through Freelance Academy Press and is due to be available within the next two weeks. The DVD is…
Blue Spur Spear Fundamentals: High and Low Wards A bevy of English longbowmen aside, nothing could make a mounted knight as nervous as a line of infantry with long spears. A spear from the ground can equal a sword from horseback in reach, and presents much more of a challenge to a knight than does…
This week’s post is not about packing up and changing address, even though I will be going on vacation for two weeks. We’re going to take a quick look at movement in the sport of boxing and self-defence other than the straight lines presented in basic pugilism. Reading Material Some of this discussion is a…
Why go Slow? I have written several posts on the merits of “slow work”, which is the act of fencing at a slow and consistent speed. In summary, slow fencing gives you the opportunity to be more observant of the tactical environment. From this state of greater observance you can move more easily in time with…
Read More... from Soft Work -- Be Receptive and Adaptive In Your Practice Sparring
There are just a few Friday clinics left this year. Don't miss out on these opportunities to learn from different instructors and focus on different areas of your riding and combat skills. The clinics run from 6pm - 7:30pm every Friday, and the cost is only $60 including use of a school horse. Plus, if…
Repeating yourself can be annoying. To remain calm and focused takes mental toughness, but the repetition itself builds your mental resilience. Do it again with the aim to improve. It's especially tough for actors who also have to pretend to be agitated but have the focus and endurance to repeat an emotional scene again and…
“I shall now consider of Wounds with loss of Substance made by Bill, Pole-axe, etc., some cutting twice or thrice in one or near one place, whereby the Wound is large, traverse, yea and oblique….” -- Surgeon R. Wiseman, circa 1676. [1] Swords are the preferred weapon in modern Western Martial Arts (WMA), as they have been…
Read More... from Book Review: “Polearms of Paulus Hector Mair” by Knight & Hunt
Mounted Combat Classes This week we're excited to launch a brand new Mounted Combat Class for participants of all levels. The five-week course will prepare students to take part in our annual tournament at Carosella 2015. There are two levels to the course: Beginner Participants at this level will practise from the ground and the…
E. W. Barton-Wright wanted “to impart to peacefully disposed [people] the science of defending themselves.” Bartitsu has been used by various groups including police and security forces, as well as Suffragettes who were defending themselves against the police. I've worked in security since 2009, and it is important to follow the Use of Force model…
Last night (Wednesday at the time of writing this) I conducted two Green Cord examinations. These are concluding exams at the end of our introductory course. The students were suitably nervous at the outset and did not seem very reassured by my comment that this first level examination is focused on language and familiarity with…