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School of European Swordsmanship

Training at the School

Training starts with the beginner's course, where you will learn the basics of how to practice swordsmanship. Students begin their training with the longsword.

All students are welcome to train at any branch of the school. Most branches are organised as an independent Ry, an association which all local students are expected to join, and to which training fees are paid.

A typical class lasts 90 minutes. We start with a warm-up and proceed to various footwork, grounding and balance exercises. The second half of the class is devoted to bladework with the weapon being studied.

Students are expected to present themselves in class on time. Latecomers do push-ups.

Students wear a white t-shirt, black sports trousers and indoor training shoes. Some leeway is allowed for beginners. School t-shirts and trousers are available and recommended.

Rank distinctions: All students are entitled to wear a t-shirt with the logo in black; students that have passed thier basic training are entitled to a blue logo; class leaders green, assistant instructors red. Full instructors wear a black t-shirt.

Safety first

Class discipline is founded on respect and courtesy. It is essential for the well-being of your classmates that you are prepared to do exactly as you are instructed. When training with swords you hold your partner's life in your hands. This is a sacred trust and must not be abused.

Age and Disability Policy

Swordsmanship training is appropriate for any person who can behave as a reasonable adult. Every student should finish class healthier than they started it.

Our youngest student started at age 10; our oldest started at age 58. It is uncommon for students younger than 15 years old to be emotionally and physically capable of handling our regular training, but that is not a hard and fast rule. We encourage younger students (those under 16) to bring a parent with them to watch the first class, after which the school, the parent and the child together can decide if the child is ready. We require written permission from a parent or guardian for every student who is not legally adult.
The school does not as yet run specific children's classes.

We have never encountered a physically perfect human being, so everybody starts out somewhere along the scale from incapacitated to super-athlete. We define ourselves by what we can do, not by what we can't, and it is part of the School's mission to expand every student's capabilities as far as possible. In practice, students have successfully trained with a range of physical disabilities including severe bone malformation, amputated limbs, and partial paralysis. The school expects all students, as reasonable adults, to take their physical limitations into account when training- if an exercise is unhealthy for you, don't do it. Students with unusually severe disabilities should make time with the instructor (in free-training sessions, or in private lessons) to work out ways to adapt the Art to their particular body. 

Training at the school cannot replace medical supervision or physiotherapy. If you have any doubts, consult your doctor and the instructor before starting training.