Getting it Right by Doing Things Wrong
January 20, 2020 No Comments
A sometimes-heard phrase around the Academie is “doing things wrong will help you figure out when something’s right.” This is an often-understood but rarely appreciated concept.
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News & Updates
50% OFF Fundamentals Course Packs until Sept 22
September 16, 2019
September often starts the beginnings of new studies, and we’re making it easier to get yourself deeper into your swordplay training. Until September 22nd, we’re offering 50% off of unlimited access to our Fundamentals Course Packs! One purchase will get you lifetime access to these incredible resources. Use coupon: Fundamentals50s These packs offer dozens of […]
30 for 30 Swordplay Challenge 2019!
December 31, 2018
On January 2nd, join hundreds of martial arts practitioners from around the world in a swordplay and European martial arts training challenge!
Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium 2019
December 3, 2018
Registration is open! The event, which takes place from April 5-7, is a conference focused around intensive three-day programs with an aim to help people along the path of mastery in the many disciplines of Historical European Martial Arts.
Featured
Why Fight Light? Using Less Gear When Sparring
May 22, 2018
A bulk of medieval and renaissance fighting manuals depict swordplay in shirts, jerkins, or gambesons, generally with light gloves, with both two handed and one handed weapons. These are often presented alongside depictions of combat in full armour.
The 5 Minutes Per Day Practice Regimen
March 19, 2018
Rhythm is the most important thing to cultivate on the path to mastery. Whether you leverage our online course or simply get started with your own practice ritual, start making those little steps. Five minutes of real practice time honours your commitment more than hours of good intentions.
Stretching for Swordplay
January 13, 2020
One day while teaching a private session one of my students brought in an old book of stretches and stretching routines and asked which ones were best for swordplay.
Swordplay Symposium 2020: March 6-8
January 6, 2020
We’re bringing together the martial arts traditions of countries from across the globe in the spirit of collaboration and learning. This year we have 10 intensives in 5 paired tracks each that compare a European martial tradition with an Eastern one.
30-for-30 Swordplay Challenge 2020!
December 30, 2019
The seventh annual 30 for 30 Swordplay Challenge is just about to start on January 2nd. If you’ve heard of yoga challenges, you know what this is about. It’s like that, but with swords! Featuring a 30% OFF coupon for subscriptions!
One Mindful Breath: Setting a Minimum Viable Commitment
December 16, 2019
We often overestimate what we can accomplish in one day, while we underestimate what we can accomplish in five years if we were to start taking small steps now.
Learning How to Fight Tactically with the Robot Game
December 2, 2019
Learning how to see what’s happening and then build relevant responses is one of the more challenging aspects of swordplay but also one of the most satisfying.
SERFO 2019 Event Report
November 25, 2019
Last week I was an instructor and director (referee) at the South East Renaissance Fencing Open (SERFO) in Atlanta, Georgia. This is definitely one of the smoother and more professionally run events in North America. In addition I was asked to teach two workshops focused on rapier and dagger.
Event Report WMAW 2019
September 25, 2019
I have had the opportunity to be teaching at this event for the past 10 years and it is always one of my favorite events as both a teacher and participant.
‘Two Points of Confirmation’ Tournament Judging
August 26, 2019
Self-calling of tournament blows has the challenge of being more difficult to implement when groups with different cultures interact and when there is more on the line. This system of third-party judging involved the fighters in an efficient fashion and received very positive reviews from all involved.
Remember Your Students’ Names: Three Tips
August 12, 2019
When you let go of the idea that you can’t remember names, then the possibility of remembering them begins. Here are three tips to get you started.
A Language for Fighting
July 29, 2019
Technical jargon can seem like a burden when you’re first learning a martial art. European martial arts in particular have dozens of guard names, positions, attack types, and terms for movements of the sword and body. It can be daunting when you’re learning a new movement language to also learn the spoken and written language that accompanies it.