Techniques
Classes generally consist of warm-ups, some basics of stance and footwork or cutting; and then sessions on close-quarter combat (unarmed techniques or dagger) and sword.
This plan varies at times to include other aspects of the system, including Fun Week (the last week of each month) when we look outside the core to other weapons such as spear, poleaxe, bastoncello, armored techniques (no armor needed), or special applications of principles of the art.
Techniques
The Techniques Class meets on Thursday evenings and is open to all students.
Typically this class runs for 75-90 minutes followed by 20-30 minutes of open floor where students can ask questions, drill on thier own, spar, or work on other material
Advanced Techniques
The Advanced Techniques Class meets on Sunday afternoons and is by invitation only.
This class tends to run for about 90 minutes with an open floor for 30-35 minutes thereafter for Q&A, drilling on your own, or sparring. New students are required to graduate from the Fundamentals Class in order to attend the Advanced Techniques class.
If you are or have been an active member of another HEMA club and feel you should be allowed to attend Advanced Techniques without having attended Fundamentals, please speak to us directly. Depending on how long you have been practicing, we may reach out to your previous instructor, trial you in Advanced Techniques or Fundamentals, or make some other consideration to ensure you are at an appropriate level.
Similarly, if you feel that your prior experience warrants you to bypass our usual sparring clearances, please speak to us. We may follow a similar process to determine what steps should be taken to ensure you are safe, be that an abbreviated clearance procedure, a series of test bouts, or a complete run through of the Fundamentals course.
Please note that if you have been inactive in your previous club for 9 months or more, you will be expected to complete the Fundamentals class.