LearningSwordplay
Growing HEMA in Istanbul
This past weekend, I was teaching in Istanbul, Turkey, a city that was arguably the centre of the western world at one time. It is a city steeped in both European and Asian history. Every site you...
Swordplay
113 posts in this category
Page 4 of 12
Swordplay
How Do You Foster Safety In Martial Arts?
Though safety may seem boring, uncool, or like an unnecessary consideration, it is a vital foundation for pursuing excellence in martial arts in both the short- and long-term. Having a solid approach...
Swordplay
My Longsword DVD is Finally Here!
More than two years ago, I got together with Greg Reimer, a group of other Duello students and a filmmaker to lay down the footage for a new DVD: Introduction to Italian Longsword. After two years of...
CoachingSwordplay
Excellence, Machismo, and Hardcore Training
Let me say first that I am all for the pursuit of excellence. Challenging yourself to be better is daunting, daring, and rewarding. On this road, you must find the edges of your comfort, push beyond...
Swordplay
Keeping the "Martial" in Martial Arts
These days, there is very little impetus to end up in a duel with sharp swords or even a true in-earnest fist fight on the street. In fact, I'm quite happy to live in a time and place where I do not...
RhythmSwordplay
Swordplay On Your Break, or a Break from Swordplay?
We just finished our last curriculum week for the year at Academie Duello. It will be two weeks before we're back on to our regular program and, depending on where you practice, you might be stepping...
LearningSwordplay
Giving Yourself an Idiot Mark
We’ve all got one. That self-inflicted bump on your head, scrape on your arm, or a knick on your cheek. We’ve all had that moment. The moment when you made a bad parry and deflected your sword into...
Swordplay
How to Practice Predicting Your Opponent
"That is a really inefficient way to attack. What are they doing?" I think as my opponent winds up some particularly arduous looking strike. "Ah. Hitting me." This is a scenario I have encountered on...
Swordplay
Developing Tactical Senses
This is the second part in a series on Awareness. Part 1 explored how to develop your ability to recall and diagnose what’s happening in combat through three games. In this post I’m going to delve...
LearningSwordplay
What Happened: Three Games to Help You Develop Fighting Awareness
Merriam-Webster defines “awareness" as: Knowing that something (such as a situation, condition, or problem) exists Feeling, experiencing, or noticing something (such as a sound, sensation, or...