Another New Guy.

[Mike Denton]

Hello, I'm Mike Denton. I'm 16 and have always been interested in Martial Arts, to a very very high degree. I know the Basics of TDK, have several years of competitive folk style/high school Wrestling and a few years of fencing at an Academy taught by Soviet coaches who were both at Olympic levels. Now I know that probably won't help much, but I felt like I should let you know some background, I'm also 16.

I'm from Grand Rapids Michigan and currently I don't do sports, with working and I just don't find Fencing and Wrestling as much fun as they once were. The only sport like thing I do is Belegarth, which is a LARP/Boffer. I just like to hit people, I'm not a Renn Fairy. I always thought that the highest level of anything remotely close to a more Knightly/Western Martial art was gonna be the SCA or somewhere in Europe that I would never be able to attend or do.

I would really like to do this Martial Art, Like really bad. I'm mostly interested in Ringen and the longsword techniques. I've read most of the site and watched a few hours of stuff on youtube plus learned the Ringen move and clinch that Dave Knight shows on youtube. After that I don't really know where to go from there. I haven't been able to find an ARMA...Group? In Grand Rapids yet, there is a HEMA around here and if you think that is worth checking out or there is a group of guys in ARMA around here that you could point me to that would be great.


Mike Denton

P.S. I did see that 18 is the required age, Is there anything I can sign, parental consent ect. So I can also practice this?

[CalebChow]

Hi Mike, welcome!

My background is similar to yours having done TKD, fencing, and a little bit of kendo before coming to ARMA, and I find that while there are some habits that will need readjustment, the overall experience gained from other martial arts greatly speeds up the learning process.

When I first started out I primarily did self-research through the ARMA resources on this website. The articles&essays are great reading and very informative, and the Index page here has plenty of other ARMA videos available as a resource to add to David Knight's ringen videos on youtube.

Schielhau.org has a good number of translations of the source literature that we use, so that might be a big help as well.

I don't think any Michigan groups are listed up in the Practice Partners page yet, unfortunately, but maybe someone else on the forums can help you.

Hope all this helps!

[Sal Bertucci]

I'd like to point out that there is much studying and drilling that can be done by yourself. Every group has to start somewhere, and if you really care about a subject then you need to dedicate time to it.

Don't ever let "No one else is around" be a reason to not study and practice.

[Mike Denton]

I'd like to point out that there is much studying and drilling that can be done by yourself. Every group has to start somewhere, and if you really care about a subject then you need to dedicate time to it.

Don't ever let "No one else is around" be a reason to not study and practice.

I full intend to, I can make a pell, would you recommend just a wooden pole or a more human shaped one made of wood/tires? I already have a stand up punching bag with the water to keep in upright it that would work. Also, what should I start with? I can't afford an Albion. Yet. But if you think it would be more productive I can get a raven waster or two. Or I can do what I've started to do, Ringen with wrestling buddies and using a piece of PVC 3/4" on a punching bag. If you could point me to an article or anything really that would help me with training alone it would be awesome. I don't expect you to do all my homework for me though so I will also read the forums, site, and watch videos to learn techniques.

[Sal Bertucci]

A big wooden pole will do for starters.

An Albion blunt is the best, and if you're really serious about this you should start saving up for one; however, you should get a waster when you can. I've heard good things about Ravens.

Some good starting articles are:

The Mastercuts - What They Are and What They Aren't

A Brief Look at Stances & Guards of Medieval Longsword

What Makes an Effective Sword Cut

Really, all the articles are a great read, even though many of them are a bit dated. Another thing to do is that if you're ever going to visit some place where there is an ARMA group/Member try to work in some time so that you can get a practice in.