The Trainer
Training is run by Adrian Whitehead. Adrian has practiced fighting with swords most of his life including training in Kendo, Kenjitsu, fencing and dark-ages re-enactment. Adrian follows in the foot steps of his grandfather (The Brigadier) who trained in Sabre and Kenjitsu.
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Training
The Practical Sword club seeks to make weapon based combat training as realistic as possible. One of the ways we do this is by allowing most areas to be targeted and insisting students strike with intent and proper execution to hit. This means that an attack that is not countered should land on its target.
By striking with intent and proper execution the problem of techniques losing their meaning due to poor interpretation and or execution is overcome.
Our style is inspired by both western and eastern martial arts and seeks to improve by adding modern interpretations of weapon based combat based on trial and error and intelligent analysis.
By striking with intent and proper execution the problem of techniques losing their meaning due to poor interpretation and or execution is overcome.
Our style is inspired by both western and eastern martial arts and seeks to improve by adding modern interpretations of weapon based combat based on trial and error and intelligent analysis.
Progression
Beginner
New students enter beginner classes designed to teach the key elements of sword fighting including foot work, grip, striking, blocking, deflections, and voiding through demonstration and drilling.
Students are then trained in sparring against single and multiple opponents, and exposed to use of spear, axe, shield, and knife.
Once students demonstrate they are proficient in the basic techniques and can spar safely they move to advanced training.
New students enter beginner classes designed to teach the key elements of sword fighting including foot work, grip, striking, blocking, deflections, and voiding through demonstration and drilling.
Students are then trained in sparring against single and multiple opponents, and exposed to use of spear, axe, shield, and knife.
Once students demonstrate they are proficient in the basic techniques and can spar safely they move to advanced training.
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Advanced Training
Advanced training is focused on sparring and conducted through peer to peer feedback and support. Senior students will seek to guide more junior students and improve their fighting styles, though all students are encouraged to provide feedback and insights to the group or their training partner. Advanced students are encourage to included training in additional weapons and equipment. Advanced students need to demonstrate proficiency in each new weapon type prior to its use in sparring. The ultimate goal of each student is to develop a particular style of fighting with a weapon or weapons of their choice that suits their physicality, skill and metal focus, and which maximises their effectiveness in weapon based combat. At times the club will invite experts from around Australia to run workshops for club members to improve their skills or learn new skills, systems and weapons. |
Youtube video
An old video from back when we trainined in the Church in 2013. http://youtu.be/WdTIVbH6QDY
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HEMA / WMA
Dark Age Combat "Fight like a Viking"
These classes focus on dark age combat.
The course is designed to train students in the variety of weapons and techniques used by vikings and other people of northern europe in the dark ages.
Training starts with the sword, spear, shield and knife, and extends to include common viking weapons and equipment, such as the one and two handed axes of the time
KIDS
Kids classes are being run for 2022 in two groups, G4-5 and G6-8 (see training times). Kids classes include a fun advancement system based on Viking runes, to give kids a sense of progression, for example kids passing their basic skills will get an item with a B rune.
Focuses include:
ADULTS
Adult training follows is also being run for adults interested in learnign to fight like a viking.
The course is designed to train students in the variety of weapons and techniques used by vikings and other people of northern europe in the dark ages.
Training starts with the sword, spear, shield and knife, and extends to include common viking weapons and equipment, such as the one and two handed axes of the time
KIDS
Kids classes are being run for 2022 in two groups, G4-5 and G6-8 (see training times). Kids classes include a fun advancement system based on Viking runes, to give kids a sense of progression, for example kids passing their basic skills will get an item with a B rune.
Focuses include:
- stance
- grip
- movement
- defence
- striking
- sword
- spear
- axe
- shield
- knife
- unarmed striking
ADULTS
Adult training follows is also being run for adults interested in learnign to fight like a viking.
Historical Medieval Battle (HMB)
This is a form of full contact medieval fighting in heavy armour which seeks to recreate the battles fought in tournaments of the middle ages.
Practical sword is part of establishing a new HMB club focused in the North of Melbourne called the Ruthless Rabbits. There is both a Junior and Adult program.
Practical Sword members with need to join Australian Medieval Combat Federation AMCF and Ruthless Rabbits to join this training once you have decided to commit.
If you are not in the North of Melbourne you can check out Team Kraken (Clayton South) or The Western Wolves (Ballarat).
Check out this youtube vidoe of Western Wolves and Team Kraken fighting at Kryle Castle, which includes a battle in the snow!
Practical sword is part of establishing a new HMB club focused in the North of Melbourne called the Ruthless Rabbits. There is both a Junior and Adult program.
Practical Sword members with need to join Australian Medieval Combat Federation AMCF and Ruthless Rabbits to join this training once you have decided to commit.
If you are not in the North of Melbourne you can check out Team Kraken (Clayton South) or The Western Wolves (Ballarat).
Check out this youtube vidoe of Western Wolves and Team Kraken fighting at Kryle Castle, which includes a battle in the snow!
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We now have a youth HMB soft training program. Saturdays 9-10am and incorporated into the youth program on weeknights.
