fechtschuleamerica

[Jonathan Waller]

I would just like to point out, having seen the phrase "artificial construct" used in reference to training and tournaments, that everything we do where people are not getting broken, maimed or killed is an artificial construct as the skills we are supposedly training are intended to do those things!

[John Farthing]

the phrase "artificial construct" used in reference to training and tournaments

Just as a point of clarification, I did indeed refer to tournaments as an 'artificial construct', however I did not apply this to training. It is well documented and supported in the historical record that training to kill was practiced. Then, as now, people trained to kill in a safe and controlled environment with an emphasis on control. Actual killing is not, and never has been, a pre-requisite for actually taking a life. It is also important to stress that while the art does indeed contain lethal techniques, even our historical forebearers recognized it as an art of Defence. Martial Arts, then and now, have always been ultimately about preserving life, not taking life.

[John Farthing]

Actual killing is not, and never has been, a pre-requisite for actually taking a life.

Errata: This should have read: Actual killing is not, and never has been, a pre-requisite for learning to take a life.

Apologies for any confusion.

[Jonathan Waller]

I should have perhaps been clearer, all training whether ancient or modern that does not involve breaking, maiming or death is and was artificial. Whether your goal is taking or preserving life, if you are training techniques that are intended to cut flesh, break bones and destroy joints and these things do not happen, an artificiality has been built in to that training.
This point gets over looked or at least only vaguely acknowledged when discussion of what is a valid training regimen involves IMO.

The apparent advantage the ancients had, was that they had real encounters where these techniques were actually used and that served as the ultimate testing ground for their skill and their training methods.

Unless we have that testing ground in play, no one can claim with more than supposition and opinion, on the ultimate worth or any modern training methodology
Best

[Jonathan Waller]

Actual killing is not, and never has been, a pre-requisite for learning to take a life.

No not a pre-requisite, certainly one can learn the actions and mechanics of the movements that will end someone life and never harm anyone. However the actual act of taking a life is something that is not merely an extension of those skills. As such until such time as a person actually kills someone, they have not actually learnt "how" to kill and even when that step is taken it is not the end of the story.
All humans have the capability to kill, however not everyone has the capacity.

[John Farthing]

I would concur with that. Training to fight in a War, and actually fighting in a War, are very different things indeed!

[Chris Holloman]

Hey Howdy Hey!

I am praying that anyone who is attending the event this weekend has a safe, challenging, and productive time. I look forward to seeing the video's and reading the articles that will come out.

I hope ARMA will be represented in some way.

Bro. Chris