Dark Ages HEMA Training 2025
Classes run for the duration of the school term excluding any public holidays. Come along a try your first two classes for free.
The Trainers
Adrian has practiced fighting with swords most of his life including training in Kendo, Kenjitsu, naginata, classical fencing and dark-ages re-enactment. Adrian follows in the foot steps of his grandfather (The Brigadier) who trained in Sabre and Kenjitsu.
Kat LambertWith over a dozen years as a historical reenactor, Kat has fought in Medieval Fairs across Australia with sword, spear and dagger. An experienced combatant and occasional training officer she provides a safe and inclusive arena for all who wish to learn.
Jonathon LyonsJonothan is head trainer of the HMB club Ruthess Rabbits. John has fought HMB for Australia overseas and has over 10 years of HMB experince.
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Training Philosophy
The Practical Sword club seeks to make weapon based combat training as realistic as possible but safe.
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, experience and intelligent analysis.
Our classes focus on skill development and fighting with a roughly 40 / 60 split in time.
New students are training separately until they have the basics covered and can join in with the rest of the group. This usually only takes one to two classes.
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, experience and intelligent analysis.
Our classes focus on skill development and fighting with a roughly 40 / 60 split in time.
New students are training separately until they have the basics covered and can join in with the rest of the group. This usually only takes one to two classes.
Progression
Beginner
New students enter beginner training 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. Training is focused on both group and single combat. Leadership positions are rotated.
Once students demonstrate they are proficient in the basic techniques and can spar safely they move to advanced training and those under taking the Dark Ages HEMA program can work through our advancement system.
New students enter beginner training 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. Training is focused on both group and single combat. Leadership positions are rotated.
Once students demonstrate they are proficient in the basic techniques and can spar safely they move to advanced training and those under taking the Dark Ages HEMA program can work through our advancement system.
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Advanced Training
Advanced training is focused on sparring and conducted through peer to peer feedback and support with formal lessons designed to develop specific skills and techniques. During sparring instructors and 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. |
Youtube video
An old video from back in 2013.
http://youtu.be/WdTIVbH6QDY |
Progression
The below info graphic describes progress through our two training porgrams and where you can take your skills development if you chose to leave.
Training Programs
HEMA / WMADark Ages HEMA "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. |
Our logo includes the bind rune for our Dark Ages HEMA program, consisting of the Anglo-Saxon runes Day, Ash and Hail.
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Training starts with the sword, then moves to the axe and shield, then and the spear, spear and shield and knife, before mastering the two handed axe.
KIDS
Kids are devided into Juniors grades 4-6 and Youth years 7-9. Kids classes include a fun advancement system based on Viking runes and mythology. For example kids passing their basic skills will get a runic bead with a B rune and their first grading shirt.
ADULTS and SENIOR YOUTH
Seniour youth are for students from years 10 to the age of 17. New students will start with soft boffer but can work their way to training with steal. Students studying Dark Ages HEMA are encouraged to join the advancement system.
Focuses include:
KIDS
Kids are devided into Juniors grades 4-6 and Youth years 7-9. Kids classes include a fun advancement system based on Viking runes and mythology. For example kids passing their basic skills will get a runic bead with a B rune and their first grading shirt.
ADULTS and SENIOR YOUTH
Seniour youth are for students from years 10 to the age of 17. New students will start with soft boffer but can work their way to training with steal. Students studying Dark Ages HEMA are encouraged to join the advancement system.
Focuses include:
- stance
- grip
- movement
- defence
- effective striking
- throws and grappling
- sword
- spear one and two handed
- axe
- two handed axe
- shield
- knife
- unarmed striking
- thrown spear and axe
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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 Ruthless Rabbits is HMB club focused in the North (Preston) and far East (Croyden) of Melbourne. There is both a Junior and Adult program.
Come along to H Swain reserve in Preston on Saturday to find out what HMB is all about.
Once you have decided to commit to HMB training you need to join Australian Medieval Combat Federation AMCF and Ruthless Rabbits to join this training. Find out more on our membership page.
Check out this youtube vidoe of Western Wolves and Team Kraken fighting at Kryle Castle, which includes a battle in the snow, and features Practical Sword trainer Adrian Whitehead (pictured below).
If the North and East doesn't work for you, you can also check out Victoria's other HMB clubs Team Kraken (Clayton South) or The Western Wolves (Ballarat) for other training options.
Practical sword is part of establishing a new Ruthless Rabbits is HMB club focused in the North (Preston) and far East (Croyden) of Melbourne. There is both a Junior and Adult program.
Come along to H Swain reserve in Preston on Saturday to find out what HMB is all about.
Once you have decided to commit to HMB training you need to join Australian Medieval Combat Federation AMCF and Ruthless Rabbits to join this training. Find out more on our membership page.
Check out this youtube vidoe of Western Wolves and Team Kraken fighting at Kryle Castle, which includes a battle in the snow, and features Practical Sword trainer Adrian Whitehead (pictured below).
If the North and East doesn't work for you, you can also check out Victoria's other HMB clubs Team Kraken (Clayton South) or The Western Wolves (Ballarat) for other training options.
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Adrian fighting in South Australia at part of the Ruthless Rabbits in 2022
Historical Medieval Battle Junior and Youth Program (HMB Soft)
HMB soft is pre adult form of HMB training and fighting for kids thought adults also train and fight HMB soft.
Each year we run a National Soft fighting competition for junior and youth members at the Black Smith Festival at Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead.
Each year we run a National Soft fighting competition for junior and youth members at the Black Smith Festival at Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead.
Lucian trying on his first soft kit back in 2019 when Meciej Ryszkiewiz from the Swords Fencing School in Dubai visited, promoting Soft HMB in Australia.
