Q: What should I be reading?
Be careful of what you study. There are significant differences between what Meyer teaches (combat arts) vs HEMA sports. Much of what works in one realm will not in the other.
Getting a copy of Forgeng’s The Art of Combat is a must have.
Start learning the four primary guards, Ochs, Pflug, Tag, Olber.
Contact us and ask for us to share with you some materials that will help you get started.
Q: What do I need for practice when I show up?
We have duplicate gear for most everything at each practice. Unless there are many new members at one practice, you won’t be in need of anything. If you are new to this art, all you really need is a longsword trainer; and we have many of those. Odds are, you wont need any gear for your first few visits.
Having said that, wear pants that you can move in. We do deep stances that might tear slacks or be hindered by jeans. You are welcome to wear whatever you have, but something that allows movement will be preferable to you. For shoes, our footwork demands the ability to flex the ankle. Boots that restrict ankle movement are not helpful. We grapple, so clip your finger nails.
We train outside. Always bring water.
Q: What should I buy?
Each person’s body moves uniquely and gear preferences are expected to differ from person to person. It might take a few practices to decide what gear you will want to buy. But, truly, you will have an immediate need for a longsword trainer. This might be a wooden training sword or a steel blunt. We use both in our practices. If you need a recommendation please just ask. A proper wooden trainer will cost at least $70+ and steel starts at around $200+. Be careful of what you buy. Just because something is the right shape, does not mean it will handle like a sword. While the market is growing, there are still very few suitable options.
Many of us started by just picking up a stick. That is not ideal, but it will get you learning guards and movements. Get to work!
If you prefer to study one handed sword before two handed sword, than you should cut yourself a dusack from a board. Base it on the illustrations from Meyer. Just make a few simple cuts with a jigsaw, whittle edges with a knife, sand it, and start practicing.
Q: Is this dangerous? How dangerous?
This is a martial art. So, yes, there is some danger. To participate you will be required to sign a full waiver. The waiver basically says this:
- You can decline participation of any activity you are invited to participate in.
- You take responsibility if you become injured while participating and you are not going to sue anyone.
Here is the good news; in a small study circle like this, you get to decide how much risk there will be. Unlike a large school, you know the guys you train with. We are like brothers and we care about each other. I want you to improve and be unhurt so that I will have someone to train with who will challenge me. I don’t care about “scoring points at any cost” or proving that I’m the best sword fighter on the field. I want us to learn and grow together as a tight circle of brothers in arms.
Now, having said that, in the beginning, this art is easy to study and learn without taking on much risk. However, once you get to a certain level of skill you are going to need to do drills with a partner to grow. Eventually the kinds of training that will reward your learning the most will tend to be some of the riskier activities. As you get more skilled, the less risky those activities will be. As you get more protective gear, activities will become safer but at the cost of losing some technique and training value.
In short, there is no way to develop advanced skill in this art and keep it perfectly safe. There are lots of trade offs and considerations. It is in your hands to decide what you are ready for and when. I will guide, give advice, and make suggestions.
I have never been seriously injured doing this. I have certainly experienced bruises and bumps that hurt for a week or two. I have never seen anyone seriously injured. In 14 years, thousands of freeplay bouts, and over 50 training partners; I have seen a couple of broken fingers, a really messed up fingernail, and a busted lip. If you will use a mask properly, finger injuries are the highest risk. Waiting for the right time to do steel freeplay and having good gloves can reduce risk. But if you are going to do full contact steel freeplay, even with good gloves, you need to accept the possibility of injury.
If you decide you want to study this but do not want to do full contact steel freeplay with long sword; that’s OK. Freeplay can be done with wooden wasters, and there are some less risky sword forms that we study. Remember, when it comes to risk, you are in control. You choose and you take responsibility.
Q: Am I too old/young/ugly/out of shape for this?
Read the Q above about how dangerous this is for some good background. You are required to be 18 to participate in all contact partner drills and to be a regular.
You must be healthy and athletic enough to bend into low stances and swing a 3lb two handed sword with force over your head without throwing out your back. If you can jog to the end of your road, do yard work in the summer for a couple hours, and can manage a few push-ups your probably not too old or out of shape to start this.
After a while, students often want to supplement their martial training with resistance and fitness training. Back squats, jump rope, interval sprinting, circuit training, military press, and things like that are great but not required.
Per the section above, you choose how much of this you participate in and how hard you train. This art can be adapted for many body types and fitness levels.
Further, all the exceptional sword fighters are all ugly.
Q: Is this only for men?
Women can certainly do this martial art. Further, we will be happy to assist anyone wanting to learn more about this martial art.
However, our normal practice is only open to men. Here is a statement from us about the reason for this.