Partner Tactics in Solo Forms
Each defense or counter-attack is what demands the next piece of the form, the next counter. A good form demonstrates a series of obedience-inducing threats.
Devon Boorman ·
Training Blog
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A Treasure Trove of Antique Arms
On my recent trip to Los Angeles, my friend Mark Mikita took me to a hidden gem of a shop near his place in Marina Del Rey. In a strip mall between a payday loan place and convenience store (not sure this was exactly the neighbours but you get the idea) was one of the…
Devon Boorman ·
The Intimidating Rondel
The rondel dagger is quite different from a modern tactical knife in that its primary function is as an armour-piercing spike. This changes how you address defending yourself from many modern systems. You don’t have sharp slicing edges to worry about, yet it is nearly a foot long meaning you can’t let your opponent get…
Devon Boorman ·
Training for Speed: Power, Efficiency & Timing
“I, the tiger, am so quick at running and turning that I can’t even be overtaken by a lightning bolt.” Fior di Battaglia, Getty Museum, Tom Leoni translation I love slow fencing and I think it is an essential part of training. However, slow alone does not prepare you for combat. Martial art exists along…
Devon Boorman ·
How to Make Slow Sparring Work
Maintaining a slow and relaxed pace is difficult for most people when they first approach it. If this is you, you’re not alone. It’s worth it to stick it out and develop your slow training skills. I have coached thousands of students through effective slow drilling and sparring and have had its benefits proven to…
Devon Boorman ·
Training Your Brain to See Fast as Slow
Time compression, the time dilation effect, or being able to see the code. These are all metaphorical ways of expressing the phenomenon of those moments where time appears to slow down and your capacity to act (or at least to think) appears to expand. Time Doesn’t Really Compress Of course we’re not actually affecting time,…
Devon Boorman ·
Musings on Brutality in Martial Arts
For some, brutality is what makes martial art "real" or egalitarian. They feel that a real art or artist must routinely test their metal against those who care more about landing powerful blows than for the long-term health and safety of their sparring or training partners.
Devon Boorman ·
Taking the Plunge: A New Morning Routine
I’ve brought a new practice into my life this spring. Something that has been more about altering my mood and resetting my rhythm than just purely about martial arts. I started doing a cold ocean swim in the mornings. I had been looking for a way to reset my morning routine. My schedule had been…
Devon Boorman ·
A Deep Dive Into Disarms
Disarms, or "sword takings" (prese della spada) as they’re typically called in Italian martial arts, are not just the cool fodder of movie sword fights. They are an important part of martial traditions from around the world, including those from Europe, and to get good at them requires that you develop exceptional timing, dexterity, and…
Devon Boorman ·
Spear Primer and Need to Know
The spear combines the intricacy and control of the rapier, the blows of the longsword, and the ambidexterity of the poleaxe. It’s a fast and engaging weapon worthy of your attention. Spears of All Sorts Spears come in many different forms from long and thrusting oriented to short and capable of both thrusts and cuts…
Devon Boorman ·