I like to think of and visualise body structure like the plumbing system in my house. This is quite an easy image to have, which makes it easier to understand the necessity of developing good body structure for fencing activities, both for …
What is a healthy definition of control for HEMA?
People often talk about control in the practice of martial arts, in the sense of “controlling your blows” or “controlling your power”. HEMA is no exception, and there are certainly many advocates for the use of control while fencing. One thing that …
Honesty in martial arts
I believe that honesty is incredibly important in the pursuit of martial arts. Of course, honesty is an important characteristic in real life as well – dealing with people fairly is better than being underhanded and devious. Dishonest people quickly …
Modern fencing, classical fencing, and historical fencing
The terms modern fencing, classical fencing, and historical fencing can all be used to refer to different types of fencing or different approaches to the activity. However, there is no concrete definition for any of these terms, and most people will …
Modern fencing, classical fencing, and historical fencingRead More
More thoughts about tricks and systems (in real life too!)
The discussion about tricks and systems in HEMA seems to be recurring quite regularly at the moment. I recently saw something while reading an article about business productivity that gave me a new avenue of ideas to pursue, so I’d like to share …
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Warming up at Liverpool HEMA
Warming up before training is something we should all do, to prepare for the lesson and to avoid injuries. Although this is usually common knowledge, information about HOW to warm up before martial arts practice is perhaps less common, and there is …
Starting a HEMA club on a tight budget
Many HEMA clubs have a very tight budget when starting out. This can make it quite difficult to get a club off the ground if you don’t have the spare money to invest in equipment, or if you aren’t sure that enough people will join for it to make …
My goals for 2019
Since the new year is upon us, I’d like to set myself some goals for 2019. I could do that quietly and privately, but I want to try and give myself a little public accountability, to make sure I actually get these things done! …
Skill development in test cutting
Test cutting with sharp swords is a valuable exercise for HEMA practitioners. However, as with any exercise or skill, there must be development and progression in the skill, so that it becomes better and more relevant to the activity in …
The experience of running a full-time HEMA school in Glasgow
Although I’m currently based in Liverpool, I am responsible for all the paperwork and business admin for a full-time training centre that teaches HEMA in Glasgow, as well as offering archery and blacksmithing activities. The Vanguard Centre is …
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Public outreach: HEMA demonstrations
From time to time, clubs may have the opportunity to do some community outreach and give some HEMA demonstrations for the public. This is a great opportunity to raise the profile of your club in your local area while helping to entertain and educate …
Is technique important?
Sometimes there is a question about technique and its importance, compared with other elements of fighting, martial arts, and/or sports. Often some people will suggest that historically accurate technique is what verifies our practice of HEMA; other …
Making Mutieren work in sparring
This article was originally posted on Encased in Steel on 13th January 2017. It has been edited and improved for posting here. Following on from my article about how to make techniques work in sparring, I would like to present a case study from my …
Learning to apply difficult techniques in sparring
This article was originally posted on Encased in Steel on 6th January 2017. It has been edited and improved for posting here. One of the common problems faced by many practitioners of historical fencing is that while we know and have learned many …
Good fencing, bad fencing, and incorrect fencing
This article was originally posted on Encased in Steel on 20th May 2016. It has been edited and improved for posting here. Can good fencing ever be considered “bad fencing” or “incorrect fencing” at the same time? Sometimes people integrate …
Learning how to learn from play
This article was originally posted on Encased in Steel on 6th May 2016. It has been edited and improved for posting here. In martial arts, broadly speaking, there are two types of training exercise: those where you have a specific goal to …
Some thoughts about the afterblow
This article was originally posted on Encased in Steel on 14th October 2016. It has been edited and improved for posting here. The afterblow is still sometimes a contentious issue in the HEMA community, depending on the person or people with whom …
Using lighter swords in training
This article was originally posted on Encased in Steel on 25th March 2016. It has been edited and improved for posting here. I often hear the advice that you should train with a heavier sword, in order to improve your strength, balance, …
Training for the future
This article was originally posted on Encased in Steel on 18th September 2016. It has been edited and improved for posting here. Although I enjoy my HEMA training as it happens, I make a point of training for the future. A few months ago, I turned …
Attacking the hands in sparring
This article was originally posted on Encased in Steel on 28th August 2015. It has been edited and improved for posting here. Every so often, I find a discussion (online and in person, in roughly equal quantities) where people debate the merits …