As far as training with weapons and grappling, might I recommend a Dog Brothers style approach? If the weaponry is a concern on the mat, you can sacrifice accuracy of feel and handling for functionality. Maybe a modified lameco stick. I know it isn't optimal but it will allow for alive training. That might take the training into an as of this time neglected area.

Why not just do what the DBMA guys do and spar with weapons outside, in a grassy area?

Why not just do what the DBMA guys do and spar with weapons outside, in a grassy area?

Some groups do, in the summer months. In those cases, the problem tends to come down to the equipment and training issues I mentioned earlier.

Some groups do, in the summer months. In those cases, the problem tends to come down to the equipment and training issues I mentioned earlier.

Not to mention an uncanny amount of perspiration.

The problem is, not everybody has access to grassy areas with room AND privy to curious eyes. The latter is not from a "keep it secret, keep it safe" mindset, but rather to avoid grannies calling the police or morons from pestering you.

The problem is, not everybody has access to grassy areas with room AND privy to curious eyes. The latter is not from a "keep it secret, keep it safe" mindset, but rather to avoid grannies calling the police or morons from pestering you.

Dog Brothers don't seem to have a problem.

Dog Brothers don't seem to have a problem.

My impression was that the Dog Bros only go outside for their Gatherings once in a while (every six months?), and train indoors the rest of the time. I have nothing to back this up, however.

But I would have a problem finding such a mystical grassy knoll that is well-lit, no overzealous LEOs or grannies, accessible and free from detritus. My teacher's dojo started being just that--go in the back of a college field, do karate without getting harassed--but it doesn't work forever.

My impression was that the Dog Bros only go outside for their Gatherings once in a while (every six months?), and train indoors the rest of the time. I have nothing to back this up, however.

But I would have a problem finding such a mystical grassy knoll that is well-lit, no overzealous LEOs or grannies, accessible and free from detritus. My teacher's dojo started being just that--go in the back of a college field, do karate without getting harassed--but it doesn't work forever.

Same here in Greece.

MMA with weapons:qgaraduat:5bye:

There a difference between carrying a stick in public and a 36" two handed sword. People tend to run in panic when they see the swords coming out.

There a difference between carrying a stick in public and a 36" two handed sword. People tend to run in panic when they see the swords coming out.

Not really, I've got a video of two of my buddies going at it with blunts, shields, mail and helmets, for a few minutes. In the middle. Of an open park.

People just tend to gawk awkwardly, mostly, but the real issue is when they come up to you and start asking questions, being smartasses, or even telling you to run off or they'll call the police (no I haven't had the last one yet).

Not really, I've got a video of two of my buddies going at it with blunts, shields, mail and helmets, for a few minutes. In the middle. Of an open park.

People just tend to gawk awkwardly, mostly, but the real issue is when they come up to you and start asking questions, being smartasses, or even telling you to run off or they'll call the police (no I haven't had the last one yet).

In the UK, you'll be in real trouble. Mind you we get raised eyebrows when we train in the sports centre. Our hall is now across the road from the main anti-terrorist unit in Scotland so if they want us they know where to find us.

In the UK, you'll be in real trouble. Mind you we get raised eyebrows when we train in the sports centre. Our hall is now across the road from the main anti-terrorist unit in Scotland so if they want us they know where to find us.

Here in greece, it depends on the individual policeman. Some will ignore you, some will find you funny, some will arrest you. Really random. There's no official legislation about stuff like that here anyway.

Heh, right under their very noses :p By the way, I thought England was full of little reenactment and WMA groups...

Here in greece, it depends on the individual policeman. Some will ignore you, some will find you funny, some will arrest you. Really random. There's no official legislation about stuff like that here anyway.

Heh, right under their very noses :p By the way, I thought England was full of little reenactment and WMA groups...

Dunno about re-enactment. There are a reasonable number of HEMA groups in England. Scotland has 4 major HEMA groups.

Where abouts in Greece are you?

Dunno about re-enactment. There are a reasonable number of HEMA groups in England. Scotland has 4 major HEMA groups.

Where abouts in Greece are you?

Athens. We're only one group here, all ARMA, about 15-20 people plus another 5-10 in a different location, but ARMA still. Out of Athens, there's almost nothing except TKD, Karate, Muai Thai, Kickboxin maybe a kendo school or two.

There's also a group of LARPers, I won't even bother with them. They're supposed to teach the "Way of the Excalibur".

*dies laughing one more time*

ha ha ha yeah we've just encountered a larp group trying to be HEMA. enthusiastic but a little clueless.

Athens is a nice location. I go over every year or two. I'll need to let a mate of mine know there is decent training there.

I don't mind ARMA training, alot of it is great stuff. The books produced out of there is some of the best available. Just couldn't put up with John Clements and his cronies but atleast he ain't Sir Tobler.

ha ha ha yeah we've just encountered a larp group trying to be HEMA. enthusiastic but a little clueless.

Athens is a nice location. I go over every year or two. I'll need to let a mate of mine know there is decent training there.


The official site is www.thearma.gr (http://www.thearma.gr), he can track us from there :D


I don't mind ARMA training, alot of it is great stuff. The books produced out of there is some of the best available. Just couldn't put up with John Clements and his cronies but atleast he ain't Sir Tobler.I've already said John can be too much sometimes, but one thing I'll always consider great about him is that he's like,

John: So this goes like this...
Student: Umm, last time you came, you showed us it went like this.
John: What? That didn't work! I changed it.

That's something you don't encounter often in teachers regardless of what they teach.

The official site is www.thearma.gr (http://www.thearma.gr), he can track us from there :D
.
cool thanks, I'll pass it on.



John: So this goes like this...
Student: Umm, last time you came, you showed us it went like this.
John: What? That didn't work! I changed it.

That's something you don't encounter often in teachers regardless of what they teach.
Yeah one thing HEMA isn't short of is dickhead instructors. Half of them teaching out there fight once or twice a year. Hell these days I can hardly get a fight outside my group because alot of them run a mile. It's a joke.