Read brief descriptions of the classes offered at the 2012 Fechtschule America here!  We are still adding descriptions and working on the final schedule so be sure to check in often to see the latest updates.

It is customary in martial arts circles for participants to bring their own gear so be sure you are prepared when choosing your classes.  However, we know that many of our stage-combat and brand new beginner's will not yet own their own equipment.  We don't want to disappoint you so if you would like to attend certain classes and don't have the appropriate equipment please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will try to accommodate your needs.  You can also pick up many training items on-site from our great vendors!

For those classes requiring special gear, these weapons will be provided.  (Quarterstaff, lanza, etc.)

MATT GALAS-

The class will focus on optimizing guards for thrusting; thrusting mechanics; and fighting from the Langort guard, both in Zufechten and in the bind. Students must bring a mask for this class.

Lecture: Guild Life

Thrusting Skills with the Longsword & Fighting from Langort

It does what it says on the tin.  :)

CHRISTOPH AMBERGER-

"Hoch bitte!"—An introduction to the German basket-hilt Schläger

A close relative to 18th-century English cudgeling and single-stick fencing, Schläger fencing today is one of the few remaining systems in which injury of the opponent still remains an accepted risk. This seminar will introduce you to the history and philosophy underlying the German Mensur and place techniques and the development of weapons and protective gear into an appropriate cultural and legal context. Participants will learn the basic techniques of "gedecktes Hiebfechten" (covered cut fencing) as well as the strategic application of Tempo.

Gear: Appropriate Pauk gear is recommended (Stulp, glove, apron, and helmet). Minimum requirements are a sturdy mask and glove, and an epee coaching sleeve. Weapons required are a basket-hilt Schläger with light basket (MUST have tierce quillon/Terzbügel), a #1 or #2 blunt, non-pointed Schläger blade, long leather finger loop.

AXEL PETTERSSON

Not Another Introduction to German Longsword!

Most introductory courses to German longsword focus on the four guards and the five secret strikes/master strikes, this is also what most people tend to train in regular class, because the manuscripts often describe them in detail. At the same time, many of the manuscripts also talk about important concepts and principles, but only mention them in passing, such as "move idiot (freely translated)", or "all fencing comes from ober and unterhauen and the vier hengen". Since these principles are not described in detail they are also often overlooked in training. In this class we will try to remedy that by focusing on working the long edge ober and unterhauen, the four hengen guards, the four openings, weak and strong, and taking initiative. Most of the material is drawn from the "Döbringer" manuscript.

Verscheiben, Zornhut and Nachreisen

A lot of discussion on historical fencing is focused on telegraphing. Not telegraphing your intentions to your opponent seems to stand in contrast to open guards like the zornhut, where the longsword is held far behind the body of the fencer. In this class we will go through two techniques to use with the zornhut guard, verschieben and nachreisen, and how by using footwork, pressure and a few tricks from Meyer we can fight from the zornhut guard without being too slow. As an homage to Fechtschule America's patron, Scott Brown, we will end the class by trying to integrate the zornhut in a flow drill.

MAXIME CHOUINARD

Introduction in the Antrim style of Irish stick

The class will elaborate on the history of the style originating from county Antrim in Northern Ireland and the differences with other styles of stick fighting. It will also cover the basics like guard, strikes, parries and footwork along with paired exercises of this unique style both in one and two handed grips.

Students will need a cane sized stick of reasonable weight. Items that are not mandatory include a fencing mask, Lacrosse gloves and a protective suit (coach jacket, motocross armor, etc).

Tirer de la canne: The Leboucher method of cane fighting.

Louis-Armand-Victorin Leboucher (1807-1866) was the first French author to write on the use of the cane as a weapon in 1843. A native of Rouen, Normandy, Leboucher went to Paris to study with Michel dit Pisseux and the Lecour brothers. He went on to become a renowned teacher of savate and canne, teaching to illustrious students such as Balzac, Theophile Gauthier, Victor Hugo, and Alexandre Dumas. But even with his links to high society, Leboucher was known to be a ruthless opponent, delivering powerful blows and inviting his students to go test their skills in the street.

This workshop will develop on the lessons of Leboucher's treatise, discussing guards, strikes, parries, and footwork but also the intricacies of feints. We will also take some time to compare this early system to the modern practice of canne de combat.

Equipment: cane sized stick.
Optional but recommended Equipment: fencing mask and gloves

SCOTT BROWN

Decision Making Longsword Skill-Drills

If you wish you had better training exercises to produce effective results from your longsword fencing then this might be the class for you.  In this class, Scott will present another series of his skill-development drills.  This series will specifically focus around the ability to make real-time decisions while under the duress of intense circumstances such as freeplay.  This class is intended for instructors and veteran fencers only.  Attendees should have at least four years of WMA/HEMA fencing experience.

Please bring appropriate fencing gear: mask, gloves, jacket, and elbow protection.

JAKE NORWOOD

Strategies for using and abusing the bind when entering.

This class focuses on rushing-in techniques from the bind, based on material from the Liechtenauer tradition and its German contemporaries. This class can be performed with longswords, messers, or other single-handed cutting swords. Some experience recommended. Sparring gear required.

 

JEFF TSAY

Krumphau: Time to Take a Step Back

The development of a practical martial art is dependent on so many simple yet crucial elements that one cannot reasonably assume they could all ever be explicitly written down in a comprehensive manner.  Of these elements, one of note is footwork, for which the German tradition of Kunst des Fechtens (KdF) is particularly sparse in its detail.  Because of this sparseness, interpretations of this tradition can therefore be especially susceptible to non-optimal assumptions necessarily made in the early research and development evolution that simply need reconsideration from time to time.

This class will examine the tantalizingly cosmic practical implications created by considering a simple-but-non-obvious alternative to a traditional assumption.  In question is the typical footwork assumed by the majority of German practitioners for one of the most fundamental techniques of KdF: Krumphau (the Crooked Cut).

We will take an approach motivated by very simple combat strategy (i.e. what is the best way to protect yourself?), and see how that impacts Krump, its variants from Doebringer through Meyer, and finally (time and brain power permitting) its other cousin Meisterhau (Master Cuts).

The only thing required: an open mind.  And a longsword.  And head, hand, and elbow protection.  And the expectation that your brain will be fed as much as it wants.... and then some.

 

JAY VAIL

Unarmed Against the Dagger: Advanced Concepts and Solutions

While the old masters did not distinguish between “beginner” and “advanced” defenses against dagger attack, some of the material in the manuals is more complex and less easily understood and executed than others. The focus of this session will be to examine and experiment with some of this more complex material with the objective of enhancing the student’s understanding so that he or she can teach it to study group members. The material addressed will include the crossed-hands cover (aka the X block) and defending against unorthodox attacks at different levels.

Wrestling of the Codex Wallerstein: Defending Against the Punch

The Codex Wallerstein, like the various Talhoffer's and Auerswald, is a unique source of techniques for medieval European wrestling. However, alone among the known sources, the Codex provides defenses for the haymaker or fist punch. The objective of this session is to study those defenses both to enhance the student’s appreciation of the richness and effectiveness of kampf-ringen but also to improve the student’s modern self-defense skills. If time permits, the session will also cover selected defenses in the Codex against the bear hug or waist/body lock, a common street attack.

 

STEVE and KARA REICH

Introduction to Bolognese Sword and Buckler

This class will introduce the fundamentals of Sword and Buckler (Spada e Brocchiero Largo and Spada e Targa) as it is practiced in the Bolognese system, with an emphasis on the most common attacks, defenses, and the appropriate footwork for each. Additionally, we will cover the roles of the buckler as well as the underlying philosophy for using it.

While drills will be mostly of the cooperative sort, please bring appropriate fencing gear: mask, gloves, and jacket. Students should have a sidesword or arming sword and a targa or buckler (bucklers should be of the “gripped” variety and generally not larger than 18”).

Initiating Attack in Bolognese Sword and Buckler

This will cover the various ways in which the Bolognese tended to initiate effective attacks along with the underlying philosophy behind it. Students will learn some of the various ways in which an attack can be initiated as well as the tactical options and the reason for each with a stress on selecting and combining techniques from a palette to overcome the opponent’s defenses.

While drills will be mostly of the cooperative sort, please bring appropriate fencing gear: mask, gloves, and jacket. Students should have a sidesword or arming sword and a targa or buckler (bucklers should be of the “gripped” variety and generally not larger than 18”).

 

JASON TAYLOR

Striking!

UPDATED FROM LAST YEAR!  It has long been said that striking while grappling was only a small part, even a dismissable part, or the totality of historical European fightig methods.  However, the manuals contain a great variety of techniques and principles revolving around empty-handed methods of causing damage to an opponent.  This class will provide a pan-European survey of such methods, using manual plates and analysis to give students a historically-based approach to training the techniques themselves.

Instruction will include punching, kicking, use of knees and elbows, "dirty tricks" of the masters, Ringeck's Mordstösse, and selected defensive techniques from Nicolaes Petter and other masters that illustrate the seamless integration of striking into the totality of historical combatives.  Methods for incorporating these techniques into work with specific weapons, such as the longsword, Messer, or rapier, will also be covered.

Introduction to Paulus Hector Mair's Sickle

This class will cover the basics of the sickle as a weapon, as outlined in Paulus Hector Mair's sickle plates.  Instruction will include grip, ways of attacking with the sickle, use of the weapon as a grappling aid, and some discussion of historical forms before delving into selected plays from the manual and applications of the principles found in those plays to actual fighting techniques.

KEITH MYERS

16th Century Dussack!

The Dussack has become more and more popular over the last 2 to 3 years in HEMA circles with the addition of Dussack tournaments at many of the major events.  This class will cover the essentials of historical technique drawing upon the works of Paulus Hector Mair and Joachim Meyer.  We will cover basic stances, parries, and footwork and how the Dussack relates to the German Longsword.  A Purpleheart Leather Dussack trainer is preferred for class, but a arming sword waster will work fine as well.   If you are planning to compete in the Dussack tournament, this class will give you some valuable pointers and techniques.

MICHAEL EDELSON

Fighting from Longpoint

Learn how to use this often overlooked guard in a series of drills and dynamic exercises.  Students will learn a combination of Sprechfenster plays from the Liechtenauer zettel as well as other of techniques adapted to longpoint.  Topics covered will include how to attack from longpoint (thrusts and cuts), what targets are exposed and threatened, how to use pressure to control the fight and how to transition from longpoint to other guards safely while in distance.  Beginner to advanced.  Longsword trainer and fencing mask required, hand and forearm protection optional but recommended.

LEE SMITH

Fighting with Meyer's 'Rapier': A taste of the 'Craft.'

In this course we will focus on the "rapier" style of Joachim Meyer, and it will be centered on specific cutting and thusting mechanics through drill and exercise.

The main focus will be on drills that actively teach the fundamentals of "rapier" or "sidesword" combat, and can be taken home and expanded upon by the diligent practitioner.

Recommended (ideal) Equipment - 36"-38" short rapier or sidesword simulator, steel ring-dagger (optional), arm guards, mask, and jacket.

Acceptable Equipment - single stick or longer 42" type rapier

 

BRIAN STOKES

Gli Otto Tagli (The Eight Cuts)

Drawing upon more than 35 years of practicing Japanese sword arts, Brian Stokes has created a number of sets of drills/zogho/kata for those who practice the art of Fior of Friuli.  In this class participants will be instructed in the first set of zogho which combines the cuts as described and illustrated by Fiore with the stable and pulsating guards.  These drills really help solo practice in that they provide a formatted approach to the study of the fundamentals in Fiore's art.

I Nove Parate (The Nine Blocks)

Drawing upon more than 35 years of practicing Japanese sword arts, Brian Stokes has created a number of sets of drills/zogho/kata Schola San Marco® for those who practice the art of Fior of Friuli.  In this class participants will be instructed in the second set of zogho which ocmbines the blocks and parries as described and illustrated by Fiore with the stable and pulsating guards.  These drills really help solo practice in that they provide a formatted approach to the study of the fundamental in Fiore's art.

JEAN CHANDLER and CHRISTIAN TROSCLAIR

Entering and controlling the Kreig
This class is designed to explore some of the challenges of entering and controlling the Krieg safely, while avoiding common mistakes which lead to double-kills or losing momentum,for basic to intermediate-level students in longsword. It is based on Liechtenauer’s KDF derived from Dobringer, Ringeck, and Joachim Meyer. The class involves contact partner drills so it will require gambeson, nylon-suitable gloves, a mask, and a nylon sword though we will have some extras available.

The class is broken into 4 phases, each phase covers an overview of the principles, addresses common mistakes, and introduces one or more partner drills.

Phase 1: Entry
Covers the assessment and initial attack. You will learn to assess your opponent based on the four roles fighters typically assume according to Joachim Meyer: Frenzied; Artful and sharp; Judicious and Deceitful; and The Fool. You will learn how to recognize each role and how to adopt them, how to seize the 'vor', and how to avoid two key mistakes in initial attacks which lead to double-kills. We introduce a partner drill covering the use of Miesterhau to break Ochs, Pflug and Vom Tag.

Phase 2 Controlling
Covers the use of Absetsen during entry and introduces two high speed Absetsen partner drills, with an emphasis on recovering the Vor. The first drill teaches the use of Absetsen as a 'flinch response' defense instead of relying on simple-parries or hengens, in order to help cover the entry while stealing time from your opponent. In the second drill you will learn how to effectively ‘sinking’ an Absetsen in order to seize the bind, control the opponents blade, steal distance and take the center-line.

Phase 3 Exploiting
Covers achieving the bind and maintaining control through timing and Fuhlen, with an emphasis on maintaining the Vor. Students will take the bind three ways: from a Zornhau, from an Absetsen or by using the Sprechfenster. We introduce two partner drills, the first teaches you how to take and maintain the bind, the second covers a common impasse faced by fencers at the closest distance, the “Eifel tower bind”. The second drills covers how to break the “Eifel tower bind” with an elbow push, a zucken cut, or by winding.

Phase 4 Finishing
Covers finishing the fight while maintaining control over your opponents weapon, and how to effectively manage the Abzug (exit). We cover a common impasse at close distance: the hangen-to-hangen exchange. We introduce two partner drills, in the first you will learn how to break out of the “hangen-to-hangen” exchange. In the second you will use a Nachreisen to cut your opponent while exiting under cover.

CHRIS AMENDOLA

Introduced at the end of the 19th Century in England by Edward-William Barton-Wright, the Japanese art of JiuJitsu made quite an impression on the British people, and the rest of Europe.  Cross-style matches between Japanese practitioners and Western wrestlers were sensational events, and spawned vigorous debates and endless speculation, with the situation not much different from that of about 100 years later with the advent of the "Ultimate Fighting Championship" (except for the fact that 19th Century Europeans did not have the "advantage" of the the Internet).

By the first years of the 20th century JiuJitsu's influence had reached overseas to the United States (the earliest published work on JiuJitsu in English was published in the USA in 1904), and provoked strong reactions there as well.  While the response to JiuJitsu as a means of defense in Europe was in the majority enthusiastic, with a few critics, in the USA the responses were more evenly split between the enthusiasts and critics.  Some of the responses in the USA were not so much critical of the feasibility of Jiu Jitsu for "self-defense" as they were critical of the idea that there were *no equivalent* methods inherent to Western martial systems.  In particular members of the wrestling community in the USA felt that there was nothing in the Japanese methods that wasn't duplicated in Western methods *being actively practiced*.

Unlike in Europe where a few persons "in the the know" mentioned that techniques similar to those of JiuJitsu were known in Europe in more ancient times, and were content to leave it at that, two Americans took it further and published manuals for "self-defense" based on American Wrestling or a combination of Western Wrestling and boxing.  The first was Professor Frank Lewis, whose "the New Science, Weaponless Defense" (1906), was a system of self protection created from a combination of boxing and wrestling, was followed by Len Lanius, who published the deceptively titled "American JiuJitsu" (1922), which details a "self-defense" system created from American wrestling methods.  While to modern eyes there isn't much "startling" in the methods presented, in fact a few bits may be a bit quaint by today's standards, these systems are of interest as they represent thorough efforts at creating "modern" self-defense from purely Western methods.  The technical content of the class will be drawn from both works mentioned above, and will in some cases "overlap" with methods found in sources more familiar to WMA/HEMA practitioners.  In addition to the presentation of "set-plays"/sequences/techniques, a series of partner drills will be presented to help develop basic attributes necessary to make the technical skills "work".

No prior experience necessary, no special fear needed- no in class sparring or free play.

BOB MCPHERSON

The Smallsword

This class will begin with an introduction and brief timeline tracing the ;rapier develoment to the smallsword of Danet and Angelo.  We will adopt the standard smallsword guard and go through the various national stances according to Danet.  We will next explore the parry/riposte and examine how it differed in smallsword from the general conception of such movement held with with the old rapier.  We will explore four disarms from Angelo and discuss the nature of grappling with the smallsword (it was for dueling after all; didn't those things have rules!?).  We will end with some controlled "dueling" complete with seconds.  We will have plenty of fun with the dueling structure.

Two Sabres: The Curved Dueling Sabre vs. the Italian Trainers

This class will commence with an introduction to mid to late 19th century sabre.  Bob will discuss the curved dueling sabre from the French and German models to Hutton's slightly less curved version.  Bob will then introduce the "Italian Classical Sabre" and its two proponents, Radaelli and Pecoraro.  Participants will then proceed to bout with both weapons, showing the similarity in technique between the two.  There will be times where a fencer with one of the light Italian blades will face a fencer with the slightly heavier curved version.  This will be a fun class!

 

ROBERTO MARTINEZ-LOYO

The Quarterstaff

The staff or just a strong stick is, along with the rock, the oldest weapon.  Used since the Stone Age, it has persisted until the 20th century.  In Europe, staff weapons, AKA polearms, were poular weapons for the military from the 12th to the 17th centuries.  In previous centuries, it was a common weapon for self defense and an important part of several masters of arms' curriculae during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, having had great respect.

Several sources show evidence of the importance and usefulness of the staff as both tool and weapon, especially amongst people both living and traveling in the countryside.  Easy to obtain and easu to use, it was an effective weapon.  Various images contained numerous manuscripts, depict travelers carrying staves, leading to the assumption that the staff was used as a tool of support and as a means of self defense.
From the middle ages we find evidence not only from fighting treatises, but from stories and illustrations of the staff or polearms.  There is a wide variety of polearms or staff weapons in historical records, such as halberds, poleaxes, spears, amongst others, and are shown being used by soldiers, both on the battlefield and judicial duels.

The quarterstaff has been represented in several of the most important manuals, being a strong portion of such masters as Doebring, Fiore Dei Liberi, Marozzo, Paulus Hector Mair, Egenolph, Meyer, Silver, Sutor, Swetnam and Wylde.

Some of these early masters have recommended adding metal tips to the staves (as seen in various medieval illustrations), thus suggesting in later manuals that the staff is the basis for training other polearms.
Historically, the staff has been primarily associated with England, However, there are numerous treatises from various countries on the staff.

The class will focus on the basics of the staff, particularly footwork, grip, guards and strikes, to follow up with various exercises on attacking, defending and couterattacking.  The class will draw from various masters like Christian Egenolph, George Silver, Joseph Swetnam and Joachim Meyer.

No previous experience is required.  Protective gear (mask and gloves) is required.

CHARLES DEILY

"The Advantage is Great to One Who Knows it"

Not all fights are fair fights, and matched weapons are not always to be found.  The principles from Fiore's dagger against sword can shift the advantage dramatically to the shorter range weapon.  This class will explore these plays and principles, plus a few drawn from other sections, as well as their counters.
Equipment: sword and dagger simulators of similar materials (wood/wood, blunt steel/blunt steel), head, hand, and elbow protection.


KEN DIETIKER

“The Lynx: Fighting on the Razor's Edge of Measure.”

No matter what martial arts system one practices, or what type of weapon one uses in the craft, the constants of proper measure and time. Fiore dei Liberi defined place and measure through the use of one of four animals, the Lynx. Here, the virtue of the Lynx is defined as either “Avisamento” (perception/judgment) or “Prudencia” (prudence). In the illustration of the “Segno , the Lynx holds a compass in his paw, and what better way to define the geometry of place and measure?

Maintaining relative position and proper measure allows for the maximum amount of time to parry, and maximum ability to control what follows. Stand just outside your opponent's ability to hit, he will never commit to an attack and nothing will ever be done. Stand too far inside your opponent’s ability to hit, he will either hit you before you can react or every bout turns into a wrestling match. Knowing the measure of every opponent you face, and how they are different, is ever-so-important. In this class, we will study how to keep your opponent on the very edge of being able to hit you, between too far and too close, allowing your weapon to work for you.

Minimum Requirement: Longsword, mask, gloves, gorget.