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| The ARMA South Florida Study Group (Est. Feb 2002) is dedicated to following the ARMA study methodology with specific focus on the Joachim Meyer fight manual (The Art of Combat) of 1570, with the goal of providing a method of training, instruction and fight practice to facilitate the noble study of our ancestral European martial systems. At this time our focus is on European (German) Longsword, Dusack, Sword & Buckler, Dagger, Staff and Halberd with a smattering of grappling & striking (German Ringen & Ancient Greek Pankration). We train using wooden waisters, steel replicas and padded weapons. Our members have varied backgrounds in Eastern martial arts , modern and traditional. We are a HEMA study group devoted to the martial arts of Western Europe, we do not re-enact, dress up or stage fight or use titles or stage names our primary focus being the martial disciplines involved and their application in a combat environment and to that end we train as faithfully towards reality with our martial arts as we can safely. This we believe, is the best way to recreate a "live" art for if the art is not alive and useful it cannot be properly reconstructed. Our modern influence is rooted in the art of JKD, BJJ and modern combat sports MMA & NHB (Mixed martial Arts & No Holds Barred) and its concepts developed from lessons learned through direct application, this means everything we do is firmly rooted in training with as true and real intent of the martial application as we can achieve safely. This also means we apply the same concepts of efficiency and practicality that we would do with our unarmed training. Everything we study in the manuals is put to the test through a combination of drilling, sparring and technique examination with hefty amounts of scholastic preparation. An art that is alive is useful and it is our earnest wish to bring back to life the martial systems of our ancestors. To this end we seek to become vessels of these long dead martial arts and to make them alive by seeking their core martial truth through application. All interested persons are most welcome to join us in rediscovering our lost martial heritage. Please EMAIL us for more info For a better understanding of the ARMA method please visit the main ARMA site info page HERE Our training sessions are held once a week Sundays from Approx 9:00 AM to Approx. 1:00 PM At TY (Topeekeegee Yugnee) park in Hollywood Long Sword Our European longsword classes are split generally into 2 sections ARMA curriculum and Meyer Longsword method, however everything we do is based upon the ARMA methodology which we use as we work on our Meyer interpretations. The ARMA curriculum is explained here The Meyer Longsword method is our interpretation of the longsword section of the 1570 fechtbuch translated here (courtesy of Mike Rasmusson). In both methodologies we use drilling with wooden waisters and steel replicas to improve footwork and form as well as build the necessary muscle structure for weilding a longsword. We use 2 and 3 step drilling to develop timing , precision and control. Our Meyer longsword material comes directly from the manual which we have been working with as a group for about 3 years. In the endeavor we give much thanks to Mike rasmussen for his translation, Jake Norwood for his ground breaking work on interpretations and Jeffrey Forgeng and the Higgins sword guild for their excellent work on the Meyer book. We use padded swords with appropriate head , elbow and hand padding for full contact sparring to test our technique under the stresses of realistic resistance and timing. We also drill and spar with wooden and blunt steel swords with appropriate control. Our sparring rules are open ended to afford some measure of realism in our bouting. Upon the consent of both fighters we fight all targets, allowing all strikes and techniques, weapon disarms, grappling (throwing, ground fighting), and the fight can continue until either a submission move or a weapon kill is acheieved either on the ground or standing. All fighters sign a waiver before fighting, sparring or fighting is not required but is encouraged for the best personal skill development. Sword & Buckler, Staff/polearms, Dagger, Wrestling and Dusack/Stick We apply the same above training methodology to our sword and buckler, Staff and Dusack/Stick, dagger and wrestling training. At the moment our Sword & Buckler is purely ARMA method based using important translation and interpretation work by other ARMA members throughout the world. We study Staff & polearms from the paulus hector Mair fight manual as interpreted by our Miami ARMA member David Knight, as well as Staff, spear and halberd from the Meyer fechtbuch. Our Dusack work also comes directly from the Meyer fechtbuch Dusack section and our stick fighting is based upon the Dusack which is a training tool for the messer. Our grappling influences come from several sources, Fiore, and German Ringen and for pure unarmed work Historical Pankration as interpreted here Historical Pankration Project. Our Dagger work comes from the Joachim Meyer fight manual from translation and interpretation work by several ARMA members worldwide with a touch of Fiore thanks to a Florida ARMA member Jay Vail. |
"He must have seen his blood flow have his teeth
crackle under the blow of his adversary, have dashed to earth with
such force as to feel the weight of his foe, and disarmed twenty times.
He must twenty times retrieved his failures, more set than ever
upon the combat. Then will he be able to confront actual war with the
hope of being victorious" - 14th century poem by Rodger of Haveden |
