Hand-To-Hand

I briefly mentioned some of the weapons training we do on the last page, so lets go over some hand-to-hand basics since all warriors must be trained to fight unarmed as well as with weapons. As you know weapons are not always available and are often broken in combat. A sword, dagger, spear, or any other weapon is an extension of you, so you must know how to "move" and to fight. Movement should be natural and easy, using as little energy as possible. This will keep you going for those fights that might last longer than the normal few minutes. We've all seen the boxing matches where two fairly even matched opponets go at it til the later rounds where the one fighter who is in better shape or has used his energy wisely triumphs. Don't be the "Loser" without a head because you expended all your energy too early. Also, try to remain relaxed. Tense muscles expend valuable energy very fast. This will also help when fighting multiple opponents. Picture an "X" underneath you, not a "+". Keep your movements along the "X" whenever possible. Moving this way gets you out of any bad habits of going staight back or forward. Thats not saying that you should never move in those directions, but it trains your mind to think in more than those two dimensions. Making you less predictable to your opponent.

About natural movement; as you stand relaxed with your hands at your side, lean out over one of the arms of the "X". As you lean over and are about to fall what happens? Your leg picks up your foot and extends along the line to support you. Very easily and naturally. Now think of this as you walk. One leg after the other, easily and naturally. This might sound dumb, but practice this. Practice walking expending as little enegry as possible. Practice moving along your "X" the same way (remember that the "X" moves with you and is alway underneath you). Expand this to other movements of the body. Think how it moves naturally, the turning and twisting of your torso, the way your joints bend and turn, and apply this to your training.

Stances

Even though I don't like rigid or set stances, one must have a relaxed easy "starting position" or basic "stance" to receive/defend attacks and mount an offensive strike (not nescesarily in that order). Stand relaxed, feet shoulder width apart. Now step back with your dominant leg (remember your "X"), with hands by your side or up in a gaurding position. Remember to be relaxed in this position. I can't stress that fact enough. Roll your hips forward a little to move your "center" lower and underneath you. Females do not have to worry about this. Their centers are already lower than ours. This gives you a stance for optimum, movement in any direction. Remember your "X" I talked about above. It is always with you as a guide for natural movement.

With these principals and practices for movement and positioning in mind, you've got a good basis for training and combat in both hand-to-hand and with weapons.

If you are in the Southern California area and interested in the Fianna Organization, please contact me at the address provided below. Include your name, area of SoCal where you live, age, brief history/discription of yourself, and why you wish to join the Fianna and what qualities you have to offer. If you are in a different area of N. America I'll forward your reply to the closest Fian in your area. Also, after looking over my whole site, please follow the link to the Fianna Organization's main pages that is provided below. Almost all the information you could want and need about us is there. Read this thoroughly, to see if you are truly interested. Thank you.