Tournament Productions Training Process

The Training for Tournament Productions is a unique combination of both historic and modern approaches to the European Martial art that we focus on. While we base our premises upon historic foundations, we also know that time has allowed us a unique perspective of multiple cultures, various techniques to draw upon and additional modern documentation to have at our training disposal.

It is important to realize that documentation, while helpful to give certain insights to various methods of training and terminology, is not the key to any martial activity.  Documents used with proper instruction by a trained martial artist makes all the difference in making the flat, two dimensional images and words come to life in a real world situation.  The way to achieve this is via hours of basic training followed by application of techniques in a tournament or sparing context.  Tournament Productions offers to its students the opportunity to achieve this kind of training. 

• Helms must be a minimum of 18 Gauge steel
  
• All other locations must be a minimum of 20 gauge steel
  
• Exposed edges must be rolled
  
• Fastening strips must be at least 1" wide using 10# leather
  
• Back Plate must be embossed over the spine and flared at the neck
  
• Vambrace must go completely around the arm
  
• Couter must go at least 3/4 around the elbow
  
• Rere Brace must go at least 3/4 around the upper arm
  
• Pauldron must attach to both the cuirass and rere brace
  
• Tassets must overlap the legyrns
  
• Gauntlets may be mail, but must be padded with sheepskin or ¼ inch close cell foam minimum with a plate supplementation
  
• Full plate gauntlets must protect the finger tips and provide basic flexibility
  
• Helmets must be padded with sheepskin
  
• Visor openings larger than 1/2 inch must be covered by perforated metal
  
• Gorget, bevor or coif must be worn at all times

We recommend Blankenshield Armory armor due to the ability to get custom suits that can withstand the trials of hundreds of sparing and tournament events.  I would be interested in any other armory can offer up a suit of pieces of suits that can come close to this.

With these principles in mind, here are the levels of training for Tournament Productions:

Recruit:

A new member who is embarking upon the training. This basic level includes the foundation work that will allow excellence in higher ranks. This includes the following areas:

• History of Arms and Armor
• Relaxation
• Grip
• Stance and Balance
• Movement
• The Swing
• Aim
• Basic Blocks and attacks
• Introduction to Historical training material

Apprentice Student

This level includes first exposures to Sparring and wearing the armor. This training includes the following areas:

• Advanced Movement
• Forms and Patterns
• Combo weapons and Equipment
• Detailed work with selected historical documents

Student

This level includes heavy combat training. At this level the warrior will be required to pass various test of combat. The majority of training at this level is with Steel. The following areas are worked on:

• Melee Combat, Multiple opponents
• Exotic weapons
• Advanced movement and forms

Seinor Student

This level includes introduction to the aspect of mounted combat. This includes the following:

• Riding Training
• Jousting Training
• Accuracy
• Safety on Horseback
• Essay on Historical Master or training technique

Advanced Students

This level represents the achievement of understanding of European Martial Combat. This level begins more independent and advanced techniques and forms and well as research and development.  For this level, the student is expected to do an advanced paper on a historic combat technique, style, Master or school as a portion of the research project.