Teaching kids about swordfighting

[Southern Breeze]

With kids,starting with something small like a spudgun is best. Then, after you have to move out of town because of them terrorizing the neighborhood, you can get them a trebuchet. After all, there's more room in the country.

[Shay]

What are the boys rules?

Not to drool too much or hit the dog- he's only 18 months old. It's really my daughter and her friends I'm worried about right now.

[macgreggor]

Hi Shay,
I have had my kids in Escrima (a Fillipino sword style) for just about forever. Of all the suggestions I have heard here, I like the RESPECT and COURTESY ones best. Although the kids are young, they are after all practicing a martial art. My kids know it is all just a game but, there is a small element of danger and emotions can get out of hand. The formality of the bow and shake can help control things. Let the kids have fun, no thrusting (that is where the REAL hurts can occur) and get them elbow pads and some kind of padded gloves. Whacks to the hands and elbows HURT. Yes I speak fron the experience of waaaay to many elbow blocks!

Enjoy the chaos!

Greg

[KiltedKnight]

Not to drool too much or hit the dog- he's only 18 months old. It's really my daughter and her friends I'm worried about right now.

Don't worry too much about the girls. By the time my daughter was 9 years old she could load and fire any of my black powder rifles and hit what she was aiming at. She was right up there with her brothers.

Chris.

[Shay]

I'm more worried about her friends- she kicks major *** and I'm trying to figure out a way to level the playing field a bit.

[UmAnOnion]

I'm more worried about her friends- she kicks major *** and I'm trying to figure out a way to level the playing field a bit.

I wonder where she gets that from...

[Sciuropterus]

Hi Shay,
I have had my kids in Escrima (a Fillipino sword style) for just about forever.

Where are they taking Escrima? I studied Kali/Arnis/Escrima in MN when I was younger, the full-contact sparring with padded sticks and hockey helmets was a lot of fun. The Filipino arts are interesting because they had to deal with both Asian and European opponents at various times.

[Nick]

With kids,starting with something small like a spudgun is best. Then, after you have to move out of town because of them terrorizing the neighborhood, you can get them a trebuchet. After all, there's more room in the country.

I have a 17' maple beam adzed square. And one of these days, I'm going bowling. Medieval style.

[Jeremiah]

Hi Shay,
I have had my kids in Escrima (a Fillipino sword style) for just about forever. Of all the suggestions I have heard here, I like the RESPECT and COURTESY ones best. Although the kids are young, they are after all practicing a martial art. My kids know it is all just a game but, there is a small element of danger and emotions can get out of hand. The formality of the bow and shake can help control things. Let the kids have fun, no thrusting (that is where the REAL hurts can occur) and get them elbow pads and some kind of padded gloves. Whacks to the hands and elbows HURT. Yes I speak fron the experience of waaaay to many elbow blocks!

Enjoy the chaos!

Greg

Of all the weapon martial arts I've ever practiced Escrima was in my opinion the best and easiest to learn. Excellent system.

[way2fractious]

Avoid sending ANY kids to this school, although they might (hopefully) have gone out of business by now.
-larger image- http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...es/moore02.jpg