March 2009 - Posts

• 26th March 2009, rats, daggers and locks

  As ever the sessions started with a thorough warmup from Alisa with some addition back stretches as so many of us are suffering from stuff backs through old age and job related injuries. This time the warmups were a little more rigorous with the  introduction of 'rats and rabbits' and the old favourite, wrist wrestling. After recovery from the warmup we moved through some unarmed techniques that ended in locks or throws to add to the inventory of techiques available for use when scripting the up and coming fights for the Lulworth Pirate event. The current setup will mean that a lot of the action will happen in crowded areas with a few swords being used and a lot of knives, wooden belay pins and anything else that is to hand. So hand to hand combat was the order of the day. Resuming the training after the break saw us adding further techniques to our growing lists as Pete Cartwright took us all through some unarmed defences against the dagger that were based upon Fire's work. The techniques when turned into their stage combat equivalents looked very lethal. Finaly, the group went off into pairs and came back, after 15 minutes, with three techniques each from the plethora we had all been shown earlier. Done with full blooded commitment and some very realistic acting from some, each group performed in front of the rest of the society. The session ended with a discussion on costume measurements and armour requirements for the coming season. As ever, McDonald's saw us all come and undo the hard work from before with coffee, ice cream and some burgers. Posted Mar 26 2009, 07:18 PM by Graham A with no comments

• 20th March, kung fu, 5's, long sword drills and gladiators

  Starting a little late this week due to some of the preparations for Stevenage this weekend we soon found our feet with a warmup and some tutelige in how to move with more fluidity and understand the technicalities of when an attack has failed, lead by Chris. Continuing with the competency based training still we visited the basic sword movements for both attack and defence, through the five positions at the head, two shoulders and two legs with the gladius. We use the gladius for most of our basics work as it is a short, stout and easily controllable bringing you, we have learnt, into closer and more controlled movement than some other weapons can.  After a short break we resumed in two groups, those preparing for the gladiator event this weekend and those continuing to use the medieval weapons. The gladiatorial preparations saw us go through a dressed rehersal prior to Saturday to make sure kit and equipment was available and fitted correctly. Almost everything did with two minor and easily achievable adjustments being required. The medieval long sword drills continued on the main stage with guards being examining in the forms that Paul has brought to the society. As ever the local McDonald's saw us all descend upon it for a coffee and chat. Posted Mar 20 2009, 05:51 AM by Graham A with no comments

• 12th March 2009, Basics, Gladiators, Long sword and dagger

  After a mercifully brief warm up from Alisa and a couple of games we carried straight on with the competency based basics that we have been doing. Today we examined the principles behind the hip throw, head lock, hair grab and neck breaks. At the end of the session no one was missing fingers, hair or neck bones so it cul dbe considered a success. The competency training has been very useful in galvenising the training sessions into more than a simple meet. Within a couple of weeks we shoudl be at a position to start sitting some tests for the annual recertification. After a short break we seperated off into specific groups for the coming weeks. One group practising for the coming Stevenage Gladiatorial event the other continuing with our investigation into long sword and daga drills based upon the works of Fiore.  The session ended with each group showing what it had been practising during the session. The long sword and daga drills in particular looked impressive and are beginning to form the basis of what will become one of our medieval arena based events. As ever a small group of us managed to find our way to McDonalds afterwards for a coffee. Posted Mar 12 2009, 07:55 PM by Graham A with no comments

• 5th March 2009, Basic elements, first phase, gladiators and longswords

  The session began with a warm up from Alisa with some of the newer members learning the pain in the forearms that the warmups can sometimes be. Each of the senior members took the group through a basic element each as we continue to make our way through the Basic Competencies that the society has adopted. With everyone coming through unscathed Chris took us through a few of the elements and the assocoated strictures they build in a fight and had the group passoing through a single phase of unarmed combat before the break. Returning, refreshed and ready for action the group split into three sections. Two groups preparing for Stevenage went away and continued with rehersals, ready for next weeks dressed rehearsal. The third group continued with sword skills passing through the basic movements to bring the two new members up to speed as fast as possible as the season will soon be upon us. Afterwards a good few of the members went off for a coffee and relax. Posted Mar 07 2009, 10:48 AM by Graham A with no comments