Postby Jake_Norwood » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:03 am
I just sent out my first email. For those that didn't get it or who wanted it but haven't contacted me yet, here's the gist (minus my address...for that you must email me at gmail).
Middle TN Study Day October 7th
The current plan is to start warming up a 0900 (er, 9am) with a review of the most basic basics of the longsword and the ARMA methodology. Brand new people (especially those of you in the KY/TN area) are strongly encouraged to attend this. Things should be moving full-swing by 10am with a lunch break around 1 or 2 (when it's hottest) at a nearby Clarksville restaurant. Training will then go until everyone is done...probably around 5 or 6 pm, with the capstone "exercise" being freeplay and sparring.
Tentative curriculum will be:
9:00 - Warm up/ARMA Fundamentals (with the Long Sword)...AKA "Drinking with the Fire Hose"
10:00 - Footwork and Core Movements (with the Touch Drill)
11:00 - Longsword techniques and exercises
12:30 - Longsword test cutting and freeplay/sparring
1:30 - Lunch
3:00 - Dagger/Ringen training
4:00 - Staff drills and light free-play
5:00 - Open sparring/Free play
6:00 - Dinner/go home
This is *wide open* to changes based on moods, weather, preferences, equipment, attendance (availble instructors), etc. If you have something you would like to present, teach, or be taught, let me know and we'll work it in. If you will only be able to attend for a portion of the event let me know--it shouldn't be a problem.
What to Bring
* Uniform is standard ARMA red-and-black for Associate Members and Study Groups. For non-ARMA members uniform is a white T-Shirt (no logos, please) and black sweatpants or other athletic pants. Breech-style pants are welcome, as are black shorts if you can't take the heat. If you have already submitted your ARMA membership application you may attend in either a red or white T-Shirt, as you prefer.
* Weapons: Wasters, steel swords (blunts and sharps), bucklers, staffs, rapiers, daggers (waster, rubber, paper, real), and all manner of sparring weapons are strongly encouraged. I have a limited number of loaner equipment which should be sufficient for attendees that don't have their own yet. If you've got loaner equipment to add to the pile, please bring it. I also have a few prototype commercial sparring weapons for us to "test" and review.
* Protective Gear: Bring whatever you have. Helmets, fencing masks, knee and elbow pads, gloves, chest protectors for females (if you have them), groin cups for males, etc. are all strongly encouraged. Gloves, especially for new folks, are highly recommended to prevent blistering early on.
* Test Cutting Materials: It's pumpkin season. For about $5 you can get a pretty massive gourd, which makes an excellent cutting target. Bring your own materials to cut (I'll have a stand here) or email me and I'll pick up a few pumpkins for you (at your expense). We'll have a few steel swords, blunts and sharps, which you can use to cut with if you don't have your own.
* Other: Camelbaks, Gatorade, first aid kits, camcorders and cameras (limited filming options will be available). Money for lunch and dinner (we usually go out to eat as a group at the end of the night).
Email me for more info or to RSVP at jacobnorwood (at) gmail (dot) com.
Jake
Sen. Free Scholar
ARMA Deputy Director
