What to expect from Lusitan Fencing training?

For those who make the decision of training Lusitan Fencing, and afterwards really put in the time and effort to develop their skills, here are some relevant improvements that can be expected:

• Higher development of concentration and self-confidance, since all the contents are developed and perfected using progressive drills, which ultimately lead to successful applications in free sparing;
• Effective combat skill in outnumbered scenarios, as well as in the more sportive one on one sparring, using both long and shorter weapons;
• Better distance awareness and management, thus being able to protect one’s safety perimeter from opponents, especially from those who may see and advantage in trying to grapple due to having skill, weight or strength advantage (or because they have you outnumbered);
• Improved footwork so as to enable one to be fast while stepping back with a parry and back forward with a counter attack;  
   
  Note: 
  Yes, step back when parrying! Here’s why: 
  Side steps work only against vertical descending strikes and not against oblique ones.  
  Even actors perform very fast sparring combinations in movies, but their speed comes from not moving their feet and just manipulating the weapon. The problem with this tactic is that if one misses the parry he’ll get hit. This works in movies because things are choreographed, and when someone does get hits it is usually the bad guy, so no one minds the danger of this tactic. To develop true martial skill your system cannot be relying on having armor like in competitions, where you can start by getting hit first and still be able to turn things around. In this type of martial combat the fight is all about getting the first strike, therefore, have extreme caution, overempathize the defense (exit) but perfect the footwork so that you are equally fast and dangerous when countering! 
  
  
• Improved visual skills, thus being able to parry strikes when performed randomly;
• Faster and more powerful striking skills, applicable to all practitioners since this is obtained from superior biomechanics (meaning better coordination) and not physical attributes like strength and / or body mass. 

How will we conduct this teaching-learning process of Lusitan Fencing?

After teaching several international seminars and seeing that the practitioners’ development were far from ideal, I’ve developed the firm belief that motor coordination (as in skill acquisition) during weeklong seminars once or twice a year are insufficient in order to promote consistent performance improvements. 

Hence, I’ve long been looking for better teaching tools to reach those wishing to practice.

The main reason that led me to accept to be a part of this project was that we were able to gather the tools that I consider fundamental for this service to have a high degree of quality, goal achievement and thus allow for both the instructor’s and trainees’ satisfaction.

We aim at conducting your learning process by presenting:

• Access to easy to consult, but detailed information on the art’s contents;
• Personalized weekly guidance on technique, combat contents and training methods;
• A two way communication relationship so that we are able to use your insights to fuel your motivation and effort.

Therefore, this Lusitan Fencing teaching service will put forward the following learning tools:

• Present a wide range of videos demonstrating the art’s techniques and drills;
• Complement the videos with documents technique and training methods;
• Allow the trainees to record their own executions for the instructor to give feedback through internet communication;
• Stimulate the trainees’ input on their own learning process, so as to adjust the pedagogical information produced to the their needs and motivations;

Here are some topics on the teaching methodology designed specifically to maximize your combat skill development:

• By applying the principles from the ecological perspective of human movement, the ignition of the techniques is focused on your opponent's body, positioning and behavior. This way, the traditional internal body awareness and control focus is shifted to your environment, transforming your execution into events. By thinking in terms of events (and not body control, like in any usual daily activity), your actions rapidly become natural, instinctive and combat effective;      
  
• Additionally, you learn the art’s techniques while immediately practicing them under their tactical application, thus understanding and learning the interaction between technique and combat tactics;  
  
• The practice is oriented so as to present tasks you have to complete. This way, and avoiding the too much frequently used command method, you’re given power over your own executions, thus being able to gather a better feeling for them, which will accelerate body awareness and technical development; 
  
• This task teaching philosophy has the further benefit that the task related success criteria gives you immediate feedback as you need for correction or not. This way the drills become fun and appealing (as game versions of specific combat variables), are thus also become self corrective (most of the times reducing the need for an instructor).

Our goal is that this type of method allows you to experience immediate sparring improvements as well as increased motivation levels that are a result of a combat oriented and very challenging practice method. The drills are meant to be self corrective, thus suitable and fun for all aged practitioners, even kids. 

   Here are the recommended steps to getting started on this fun and enthusiastic project:

1. Choose the specific learning program you wish to start with: 
   a) Double hand weapon: Level one of the traditional Lusitan system for combat in outnumbered scenarios and one against one; 
   b) Single hand weapon: Level one traditional Lusitan system for combat in outnumbered scenarios and one against one; 
   c) Special historical fencing program: Analysis and practice of the different historical stages in the development of the parries in the double hand weapon traditional combat system in one on one combat; 
   d) Special Self defense program: Level one self defense application of one hand weapons for self defense scenarios  
    
   For more specific information on each courses’ contents please consult the following link HERE:
   
    
   SPECIAL NOTES: 
   - The courses are designed to function as independent units, meaning that you can start by choosing any of the four options presented. Only when more advanced level courses (second level, etc) on these subjects are released, will we present the requirement of successfully completing the initial level course before advancing to the higher skill ones; 
    
   - No practice time limit or recommendation was placed for any course, since that is a highly variable factor, as it is influenced by the practitioners’ initial skill, training schedule, etc; 
    
   - Since this is a program designed to help study groups, each group can elect to study simultaneously as many of these programs as they see fit. This however, means that they should either have different people responsible for each study program or one person with lots of free time.     -
   
   -However, those interested in practicing both the staff and baton systems, they can easily do so simultaneously. Most of the contents are easily transferable to the baton, if you start by the staff, and the exercises applicable to both weapons. Therefore, instead of having to pay for two full programs, you’ll just need to acquire the staff program and compacted lessons on the transfers between the weapons and the few baton specific contents;  
   
   
2. Set up your training, by finding the equipment, location, partners and schedule of your training sessions; 
   
   Follow this link about Pointers on equipment
   
   
3. As soon as you gain access to our trainees’ special section, study the first lessons and, as you practice them, contact you personal internet instructor so as to place the challenges that arise during practice; 
   
   
4. When possible, and according to your internet instructor’s advisement, record your training for more personalized instruction; 
   
   
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 and, whenever you have a chance to meet your instructor for live training make the most of the opportunity!  
   

Remember, your success is our satisfaction!

So ask, ask ask, but don’t forget to work, work, work!

While also having fun! :)