Saturday, May 20, 2006
| Time | Class | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 - 9:00 | Warm-ups | |
| 9:00 - 10:30 | Faicseanaíocht (Irish Cudgel) | Ken Pfrenger |
| 10:30 - 12:00 | German Longsword | Josh Little |
| 12:30 - 2:00 | Hawk and Longknife I | Steve Huff |
| 2:00 - 3:30 | Hawk and Longknife II | Steve Huff |
| 3:30 - 5:00 | 19th Century Pugilism | Stephen Logan |
| 5:00 - 6:30 | Regimental Highland Broadsword | Chris Thompson |
Sunday, May 21, 2006
| Time | Class | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 - 9:00 | Warm-ups | |
| 9:00 - 10:30 | ROSS Grappling | Randal Gustitis |
| 10:30 - 12:00 | Bartitsu | Kirk Lawson |
| 12:30 - 2:00 | Swetnam Rapier | Allen Reed |
| 2:00 - 3:30 | Fiore Dei Liberi spear | Mark Rainey |
| 3:30 - 5:00 | German Dagger | Josh Little |
| 5:00 - 6:30 | Garrote Larense | Bruno Cruicchi |
Faicseanaíocht (Irish Cudgel)
This year we will be taking the Irish cudgel play class in a different direction including some stick grappling and some unarmed/disarmed concepts to help round out this stick only (as some would think) art. There will still be plenty of shillelaghs swinging above our heads but a bit more practical application as well.
A short look at some use of the stick in grappling applications. We will also look briefly into Collar & Elbow wrestling on it's own. C&E is a fairly simple style of wrestling that begins in the not too surpising collar and elbow tie up position. It provides a good base for wrestling in Faicseanaíocht.
A short but concise look at Mendozas first lesson of boxing. This style was widely popular during the early part of the 19th century in Ireland and is the base for the pugilistic aspect of Faicseanaíocht.
Core Principles of Liechtenauer's Longsword
The principles laid down by Liechtenauer in his merkverse in the 14th century influenced German swordsmanship for roughly the next 250 years. And with good reason - his principles work! In this class we wiil examine the core principles of the Liechtenauer tradition - Vor, Nach, Indes, Fuehlen and more - and how to apply these principles with deadly results.
Equipment: A fencing mask is required for this class. I will have a limited amount of extras on hand. Also gloves and longsword simulator are needed. I prefer metal simulators but a broomstick will work if that is all you have. I will also have a small amount of wasters on hand if necessary.
Hawk and Longknife I
Hawk and Longknife II
Longhunter, longknife, frontiersman, woodsrunner, woodsman, backwoodsman, scout, rifleman - these were all words used to describe those early colonists in the Americas who lived their lives at the fringe of civilization. Living off the land, adopting and adapting the survival and living skills of the Native Americans, these men were the epitome of the early American pioneer spirit - free, independent, and possessing an indomitable will and iron spirit, his only companions his trusty rifle, a sturdy knife, and a good hatchet or tomahawk. In a time of single-shot firearms, there was much need for a reliable back up weapon. Misfires were not uncommon, and any moisture could cause a malfunction at a critical moment. The slow reloading process, especially with the rifle, could also leave the longhunter in a vulnerable position. In such situations, a good knife and tomahawk could mean the difference between life and death.
While the popular image of tomahawk fighting is that of the weapon being thrown, it is in actuality and extremely effective and devastating close combat weapon, allowing a wide variety of tactics and techniques as the situation dictates.
When conflict arose or war broke out, these men were often recruited to fight using guerrilla tactics to hit and run as well as scout deep into enemy territory. It is these men, such as those of Rogers’ Rangers of the French and Indian War, who became the forerunners of today’s modern special forces units. With their ability to take the fight to the enemy, "anytime, anywhere", these men carved their place in history with tomahawk and knife.
This class will focus on the use of the tomahawk as a close-quarter combat weapon. Grips, stances, and attack and defense, ranges of combat, as well as fighting theory, will be covered. The second half of the class will examine the use of the knife in conjunction with the tomahawk.
Time will also be spent examining the history and evolution of the weapons, as well as aspects of carriage and drawing in various situations. There will also be an examination of the clothing of the period and how it influences fighting with these weapons. We will also look at some of the other accoutrements carried by the longhunters and irregular military units.
Students are required to bring some form of protective eye wear (a fencing mask is recommended) and it is recommended that they bring some form of padded hand and forearm protection.
Training weapons will be provided but any student who wishes to bring their own weapons may do so. However, they must cover the edge of any live-blade weapons.
19th Century Pugilism
On July 6, 1889, The National Police Gazette published an article covering the highly anticipated Sullivan-Kilrain fight: "He [Kilrain] is an excellent wrestler... which makes him a thorough pugilist." If the late-nineteenth century sporting press saw wrestling and pugilism as two integrated arts, period manuals presented them differently. For my class, I intend to present a brief overview of late-nineteenth century pugilism striking technique and explore how several manuals emphasize the in-fighting and grappling ranges differently. No extra equipment necessary.
Regimental Highland Broadsword
We will be studying the basics of the Highland basket-hilted broadsword, as used in the Highland regiments of the 18th and 19th centuries and described in the works of Angelo, Mathewson, the Highland Officer, MacGregor and others. This was one of the only systems of swordsmanship to see extensive combat use in colonial America. Bring a singlestick or wooden waster.
ROSS Grappling
We will be studying the nature of combative grappling engagements through a series of progressive fluid drills that emphasize Russian Martial Art’s focus on intuitive learning and practical skill development rather than static technical memorization. Training will begin with the basic biomechanical motor components that form the initial structure of ROSS, and then move rapidly to utilizing those components in progressively more complex and interactive drills. The focus of the class is primarily on stand-up grappling and escapes, but participants are asked to please wear loose fitting clothing (that they don't mind getting dirty) and to come prepared to sweat.
Bartitsu
We will be examining the eclectic Martial Art of Edwardian Englishman Edward Barton-Wright circa 1899-1901, focusing on "The Canon of Forty" and his Pearson's articles. Participants are encouraged to wear loose fitting cloths suitable for martial arts training. A light Crooked cane is reccomended but may be substituted for a knobbed bata or a cane length dowel rod.
Swetnam Rapier
Swetnam published his book "The Schoole of the Noble and Worthy Science of Defence" in 1617. It is the first book in English written by an Englishman which includes teachings on the use of the rapier.
Students taking this class will be introduced to the guards, blade and foot work that Swetnam advocates when using the rapier and dagger.
Equipment needed: Rapier and dagger simulators, fenicng mask, gloves and fencing jacket, doublet or heavy sweatshirt. Instructor will have some extra masks and rapiers. An 18 to 24 inch long one-half to one inch diameter dowel rod may substitue has a dagger.
Fiore dei Liberi Spear
Fiore dei Liberi was a great name in his time; he was an Italian war hero and celebrated duelist, before being appointed Master Swordsman to the Marquise of Ferrara. The class will focus on the portion of his manual - "Fior di Battaglia" 1410 - that is specific to the use of a short spear.
Some spears will be available, though participants are encouraged to bring a broom stick, bo staff, or other stick of approximately the same height as you. No contact should occur, though a fencing mask or similar head protection is recommended.
Introduction to the German Medieval Dagger
In this class we will examine the basics of fighting with the long dagger as described in several German sources, mainly the Codex Wallerstein, Huntsfeld and Lignitzer's commentary from the Von Danzig manuscript, and Talhoffer. We will go over the basic wards, attacks, and defenses as well as a sampling of plays from the sources to give students a solid foundation for further study.
Equipment: I will have some spare daggers available. I prefer wood or metal simulators (please no points or edges on metal daggers) over the rubber ones. The weapon should be around 12-16" long (Sharkeys or other such trainers will not work for this class). Gloves and/or Forearm guards are highly recommended. Masks are not required, but at least safety goggles are recommended.
Garrote Larense Basically, we could consider GARROTE as a Western Martial Art since of all the thories I will mention briefly now, the most likely one is that it sprung from old Spanish fencing. You must remember that Venezuela was for 350 years a colony of Spain, that Spain was one time considered one of the best fencing nations or schools of fencing in Europe, and if you look closely at the circle used in La Destreza school (which, by the way, also appears in the first Zorro movie with Antonio Banderas), well, that circle encompasses what we call "El Cuadro", which dictates all of our footwork.
The main theories as to the origin of Garrote are that it is
1) an indigenous art: There is no doubt that additions were made to the old art by our people, but it didn't spring out on its own.
2) an art from Africa: Again, the techniques of machete fighting we find in Garrote are derived from African machete techniques but it's not the whole art.
3) the lost art of short stick fighting of the Canary Islands: As some of you may know, Palo Canario is practiced with long sticks and the footwork is totally different. I personally didn't find any resemblance although I enjoyed practicing Palo Canario; it's a great art.
4) from the Philippines: again, a controversial theme in view of the fact that recently some Filipino researchers have found strong links to the old Spanish combat fencing.
5) old Spanish fencing.
Garrote distinguishes itself from other stickfighting arts on several points:
1) Footwork
2) Change of stick to the other hand constantly and strategically
3) Not drill-oriented but rather concepts-oriented, with a lot of sparring and positioning involved.
I will cover the basic footwork of Garrote, the hand switching, the first basic 4 strikes and some of its strategy.