Blue Spur Curriculum: Swordplay from the Ground The Mounted Combat checklist for the Blue Spur has five sections: Swordplay from the ground Swordplay from the falsemount Spear fundamentals Mounted games Knowledge In the next few months on the Tuesday blog we'll be covering the checklists for the first two sections, looking at the swordplay requirements…
The growth of HEMA/WMA here and in the ‘old country’ has well documented with both items in the past press, and with salles reporting the increasing numbers of students coming to their door. And though we are all united as a community in having some common interest in the concept of historical fencing; each individual…
(This post originally appeared on the Duello.TV blog) Your sword is getting set aside while you attack. Your parry is not succeeding in closing the line. Poor results with a finish or result position from a movement often lead us to analyze and attempt to correct through the movement itself; perhaps you need to parry…
Riding Level 2: Riding without the reins At famous Cadre Noir school of equitation in Saumur France, riders are put on horseback on long reins or the longeline for two years before they are allowed to pick up the reins. This insures they have a completely independent seat. Most of our students do not have…
When culling the many sword-related press items that one finds when searching for those rare columns featuring things-HEMA/WEMA; one has to wade through a lot of lines about sports teams ‘putting the loser to the sword’; and politicians ‘jousting’ for advantage. Even when you discover a title that gives you three, potential medieval-themed words in…
I had a terrible night dancing just recently. A night where I felt completely disconnected from dancing - something that I truly am passionate about. I felt awkward, bored, frustrated, and completely in my head; disconnected from my whole. This is not a new feeling. I have experienced this before with swordplay. It’s something that…
Read More... from Toughing it Out, Switching Gears, and Taking a Break
Safety. Simulation. Storytelling. These are the three pillars of stage combat. The first two cover all the individual skills we learn, from punches and hair-pulls to sword thrusts and zombie-slaying, every move must combine two factors: It must be safe for everyone involved: operator, victim, close-by actors and technicians, and audience. It must believably resemble…
Riding Level 2: Ring Etiquette Just like the theatre, dining room and public road, the riding arena has its own, often unspoken, rules of conduct. Unlike the question of which fork to use for salad, arena rules are there for safety. In your level 2 riding test we want you to: 14. Demonstrate safety and…
We have just realized that due to our dotage, We’ve been alternating Our title between ‘Sword News’ and ‘Sword Press’ … it supposed to be ‘Press’. That is all. And you kids … get off my lawn! Dang nabbit! New Year, New Skills. CHICAGOIST (Illinois) 08 Janury 14 The 5 Most Unusual Workouts In…
It is called a “fantasy” world for good reason. When we turn to the fantasy genre when we play games, go to a movie, or read a book, we’re not looking for reality. We’re looking to escape the world of the mundane and enter into a universe where anything can be possible. However, sometimes it…
Read More... from Nine Ridiculous Weapons in Games, Cartoons, Film and Fiction
Everyone knows if you want to get better at something you have to practice. However making time in a busy schedule can be super-challenging. It's easy to have the intention to practice but then not actually get around to it. The next thing you know you're back at your swordplay/dance/yoga class and you haven't done…
Heigh ho, it's a new year! Before we launch back into the Blue Spur curriculum I thought I'd take a moment and give a quick overview of what's coming up in the Cavaliere Program. Cavaliere Focus Group Saturday 11 January, 2:30 - 4pm We're taking advantage of the winter lull in classes to look at…
The Academie Duello ‘Sword News’ has been a personal labour of love (maybe love of labour at times) since June 2009. After a variety of issues, We decided that for the most part, the Sword News would now concentrate on posting items originating within the ‘traditional’ commercial press that cover HEMA/WMA events; activities related to…
In many, if not most, scenarios in which violence may be an outcome, de-escalation of the encounter is the easiest and most effective way of eliminating the threat. Every situation is different, but there are many commonalities in what to look for, what to be ready for, and what to do. What to Look For…
With 2014 now upon us many people are looking at their New Year's resolutions. Almost every person I know has something on that list pertaining to trying something new as well as improving their health and fitness. One of the great things about Academie Duello is that with the new year brings a new set…
Read More... from Introductory Courses for the New Year at Academie Duello
As a martial artist and a dancer I have become intimately aware of the condition of my body. I want it to last for a long time and I want it to be able to perform for me to the best of its capacity throughout that time. I realize for a long time I took…