International Swordfighting and Martial Arts Convention		Hosted by Art of Combat, inc. & New Dawn Duellists Society
Conlegium Fraternitas Armorum ~ United Brotherhood in Arms
Since 2000, one of the premier and oldest International conferences for the study of Historical Martial Arts, hosting accomplished and leading instructors from around the globe.

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Next Event: 8th Annual ISMAC July 12 - 15, 2007 in Detroit, Michigan Sponsored by Detroit Marriott Pontiac at Centerpoint

Master Class Universal Staff Fundamentals
INSTRUCTOR: Col. Dwight C. McLemore ROOM: Salon E
DESCRIPTION: 1. The Eternal Staff Although I am generally associated with the bowie knife and tomahawk, the fact is that I have actually been studying and training with the staff for a much longer time. Since that day back in 1996 when my kung fu teacher introduced me to the Chinese 'Double-Headed-Staff' the spirit of this crude and simplistic weapon has been with me. The gift that my instructor gave me was more than just a set of techniques in an Asian fighting art; but rather an understanding of conceptual principles for applying to other martial skills. As I moved into the Western Martial Arts and opened my own school, those staff principles seemed to continually surface as part of the curriculum. It was like an old friend that was always ready to help out. My study of Medieval and Renaissance fight manuals was made easier because of the background I had acquired on this weapon. While the staff is deceptively simplistic in the basic techniques, there always seems to be some new application or method that appears to open one’s mind. This three hour class is not about this or that specific staff system, rather it is a hybrid system that borrows heavily from the Chinese, Korean, and European martial arts through the ages. During the preparation of this text I was not interested in how any Asian or European master executed a specific technique. Although I will reference some relevant historical information throughout the text, I really care less about being 'historic' than the application to today’s world. That said, I do not favor the work of any particular system or martial discipline. This is simply 'My Take' on a lot of different approaches. I would like you think of this training as conceptual in nature. You might say that we will take a generic set of European and Asian techniques and put them into motion that for all practical purposes will show you how to "Dance with the Tree." 2. Resources Here are several sources that I recommend reading before attending this class. No, they are not required, but they will give you some insights into the many diverse options available when you use the staff. a. Fighting with the Quarterstaff by David Lindholm. This is a “must-own” book if you are into the Western Martial Arts. David has done a great job of detailing the techniques of the great Renaissance teachers of the staff. It covers the work of the English and German masters and the associated aspects of their different approaches. It is a great teaching aid that I strongly recommend. b. Broadsword and Singlestick - with Chapters on Quarterstaff, Bayonet, Cudgel, Shellalah, Walking Stick, Umbrella and Other Weapons of Self Defence by R.G. Allanson-Winn and C. Phillips-Wolley. This is one of those 19th Century publications that is devoted to the ‘sport’ of the quarter-staff. It provides good descriptions on the angles of attack and the various guards. You can find this on the Internet here. c. Quarterstaff: A Practical Manual by Thomas A. McCarthy. Again another of those manuals written by the Victorian military. This is a short but well illustrated manual that places the quarter-staff within the context of an exercise tool. Unlike some of the Renaissance instruction addressed in David’s book, this one covers some of the aspects of fighting close-in with techniques similar to that of the bayonet. It is also available on the Internet, here. d. The Ferocious Enchanted Staff of the Ancient Monks. This is a very interesting text whose author is unknown. Wing Tsum master Leung Ting transcribed this text from a hand-written book that he found in a Hong Kong street market when he was a teenager. Although it is only 89 pages long, it is richly illustrated with a solo set and application for what might be called the Chinese long-poll. It is believed that the techniques may have come from the Shaolin Temple. It is definitely not a modern Wu-Shu book. e. Advanced Stick Fighting by Masaaki Hatsumi. No study of the staff is ever complete without consideration of the great Ninja master Hatsumi. Although essentially an art and picture book with limited text, it does give one some great photographic insights to the spinning motion associated with the use of the staff. 3. Who May Attend This Class Anyone from beginner to advanced student. Please remember that this is a training class not a vehicle for historical scholarly debate over whether a technique is interpreted correctly. Come prepared to train. 4. Equipment Required Eye, hand, forearm, and groin protection. You should bring a staff that is at least six foot in length. Bo staffs can be used but they tend to be too short for some of the European techniques. I will have some staffs available should anyone really be needy. If you want to use bamboo, make sure you sand down the growth rings as they tend to be a little rough on the hands. Relatively inexpensive wooden dowels can be obtained from most building supply stores. They range from 15 to 8 feet in length and are suitable for short training sessions. Again I recommend you sand these carefully before use to make sure there are no exposed splinters. 5. Class Outline A. Introduction to the staff and associated grips, stances and guards. 60 minutes B. The motions of the staff, associated footwork, striking, thrusting, blocking, parrying range and timing exercises. 60 minutes C. Two-person Partner Sets 60 minutes Total Class Time: 3 hours. Note: Col. McLemore and the ISMAC Webmaster would like to thank the Electronic Journal of Martial Arts and Sciences and the Journal of Manly Arts for making some of the above publications available to the public.
Copyright © 2000-2007 by ISMAC. All rights reserved.	Still have questions? We welcome you to contact us.	Webmaster: Chris J. Franklin (email) This page updated: 19 February 2007