Looking for advice on starting a new study group.

[Andrew Peoples]

Hey my name is Andrew, I am 18 years old and this is my first post. (be nice )
Where I live there is no Arma study group within 100 miles, so me and some friends of mine were looking to perhaps start our own. It's definitely going to be quite a challenge considering none of us have had any formal training beyond our own friendly sparring. The best we've been able to do is read a few books and do online research. I'm posting this mostly to ask if you think it is wise to start a study group without anyone who's developed any real skill. Should I wait and go to a regional event to get training first or should we just go for it?
Advice? Opinions?

Respectfully,
Andrew

[Jaron Bernstein]

Hey my name is Andrew, I am 18 years old and this is my first post. (be nice )
Where I live there is no Arma study group within 100 miles, so me and some friends of mine were looking to perhaps start our own. It's definitely going to be quite a challenge considering none of us have had any formal training beyond our own friendly sparring. The best we've been able to do is read a few books and do online research. I'm posting this mostly to ask if you think it is wise to start a study group without anyone who's developed any real skill. Should I wait and go to a regional event to get training first or should we just go for it?
Advice? Opinions?

Respectfully,
Andrew

Welcome to the art. I would suggest going to a NTP 1.0 first if possible. Otherwise you might start out developing some bad habits that then have to be unlearned. Where are you located at?

[ChristineChurches]

I agree with Jaron. Ask the closest study group if you can sit in on a few practices - I suggest taking a road trip to visit them before you make any decisions.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, before you can form a study group, you must have at least 3 people whose applications to the ARMA have been accepted.

Welcome, and happy fighting!

Christine

[Stewart Sackett]

Do you, or any of your friends, have experience with any other martial arts?

I ask because, although I've found no other art comparable to the longsword, I've found that having a grappling background helps immensely in developing an understanding of Ringen & being able to reasonably interpret techniques from the fightbooks.

Having a wrestler, Judoka, or even a BJJ practitioner in your group would make certain things much easier.

[Will Adamson]

There are quite a few ARMA members who are not in study groups. If you post your location one may find you.

[Andrew Peoples]

Wow, 4 replies already.

To answer your questions:

I am located in the metro Detroit area.

There is no study group listed on this website that I could find within a reasonable driving distance from where I live.

I looked under practice partners and there is one ARMA member in Michigan way over in Lansing named Francisco Uribe.

I was looking to go to one of those National Training Program 1.0 Seminars but could not make it to the last couple.

There are at least two of us that for sure that would like to join ARMA and a few that might.

One of my friends is a black-belt in Tai-Kwan-do. While I myself have no formal training(unless you count sport fencing ) I have done my share of wrestling etc. with a group at my church. I've played high school soccer and most of the rest of us are in good physical condition.

If it's any help I've intellectually devoured everything on this site, as well as everything in "Medieval Swordsmanship", "Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly art of the Longsword", and "Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly art of Combat"

And thank you for making me feel so welcome.

Respectfully,
Andrew Peoples

[Keith Culbertson]

welcome Andrew, I am very impressed with your attitude, manners and the time you have already devoted to studying ARMA resources---Although I recomend a 1.0 as well, if I had a way to travel I would be right there in person for a day or so of foundation laying advice; however, my Jeep died a while back so I can only offer that you come visit us here in Columbus at Ohio State [I will forgive the Michigan origin for ARMAteers ] Meanwhile, Francisco is a great guy to contact a bit closer. See what your pals say about a holiday break road trip one way or the other...

all the best

[Andy Spalding]

Hey andrew,

We in my study group have also recently started a new one from scratch as well. The best way to get a new group going is to get 4 or 5 friends together willing to commit to the organization and get to a 1.0 (or even host one if possible. We did and it was freekin fantastic). coming in as a group shows that it is an investment that arma may want to follow up with.

Many here with me also have sport fencing background. While you will not be able to carry any of the rules with you, you do have more background with the concepts than most. You should understand the importance of footwork, though it will need to be edited. you will also understand alot of the concepts if you edit your definitions of the terminology a bit. I think of sport fencing as an expanded footwork and reflex drill rather than a stand alone art. If you are able to leave your rules at the door, your fencing experience will serve you well.

[Jeremiah Backhaus]

Well, if you don't want to host a 1.0, there will be one in LaCrosse, WI in February. A bit of a drive but then you could meet some of us in the area. Just wanted to let you know about it.

-Jeremiah (GFS)

[Andrew Peoples]

...Although I recomend a 1.0 as well...

Hey andrew,

We in my study group have also recently started a new one from scratch as well. The best way to get a new group going is to get 4 or 5 friends together willing to commit to the organization and get to a 1.0 (or even host one if possible. We did and it was freekin fantastic). coming in as a group shows that it is an investment that arma may want to follow up with.

Going to a National Training Program 1.0 before starting the group was my original plan. However the last several times they were offered they were either too far away and/or our school schedules wouldn't allow it. I started this thread to see if you guys thought it would be wise to just start the study group and then go to a 1.0 at the next opportunity. I guess in this case that means sometime in Febuary. Darn, the trip would be so much shorter if we didn't have to drive around lake michigan. Then again Ohio is a little closer.

Oh, and how exactly does one host a NTP 1.0? I didn't know non-members could host events.

Thanks for your responses.

[Steven Blakely]

Do not hesitate begin now. My name is steven and i live in utah.
Begin your study group at the first possibly moment. read, train, study.
Do not postpone out of fear of *maybe* learning some incorrect techniques. the study of battle is in constantly learning new techniques. and in my experience, experience is a grate teacher. Now the first oppertunity you get go to a gathering go. Or maybe only one of you can go and bring the knowledge back to the others. in learning you can teach and in teaching you will learn.

so once more into the frey my friends. do not wait you willl do yourself a greater diservice in waiting than in beginning.


"Guns ruined war."

[Steve Fitch]

Hey my name is Andrew, I am 18 years old and this is my first post. (be nice )
Where I live there is no Arma study group within 100 miles, so me and some friends of mine were looking to perhaps start our own. It's definitely going to be quite a challenge considering none of us have had any formal training beyond our own friendly sparring. The best we've been able to do is read a few books and do online research. I'm posting this mostly to ask if you think it is wise to start a study group without anyone who's developed any real skill. Should I wait and go to a regional event to get training first or should we just go for it?
Advice? Opinions?

Respectfully,
Andrew

I have the same problem but I live in Ontario Canada...

None of my friends have shown any interest. I do, however, know a kendo instructor and a Kali instructor.

Any ARMA or 1.0's happening in the Toronto, Ottawa area?