What happens at training

A training night at Handakas consists of combat training, craftwork, socialising, sometimes games and always fun.

We generally start by sharing news, showing off new equipment or projects and discussing forthcoming events. Tea and coffee are available, but you need to bring your own mug.

Most weeks, this is followed by combat training focusing on the least experienced fighters, with time for the more experienced to practice their skills as well. On the last Wednesday of each month we have a tournament in which all authorised fighters are encouraged to participate, while unauthorised fighters and non-combatants are encouraged to watch and learn.

Wearing medieval gear to weekly Training is encouraged, but not compulsory. Here you can see, at a Beefacres Training evening, Jason, Orest and Elise in medieval gear standing near and in the kitchen, while Patrick and Drew (seated) are wearing contemporary clothing.

While an extremely important part of Training nights is combat skilling for our fighters, it isn’t all fighting. Boardgames, sharing craft and costume ideas and skills, and general social chat are regularly part of our weekly gatherings. People often work on craft of various kinds, and you can learn a lot by watching and asking questions.
Jason C does some leather stitching, while Wendy helps Vanessa with some tablet weaving, and Jim watches the weavers	Wendy with her beautiful sewing box, handstitching some linen.

Then of course, there is the fighting

Before fighting can commence, fighters must warm up. Warm ups consist of the following:

• Jogging or aerobics,
• Situps, push ups, squats,
• Stretching all the major and minor muscle groups

Then the Training Officer (T.O) and other authorised fighters under instruction from the T.O. work with trainees on weapons techniques and safely delivering and receiving blows.

Star Pattern group training: Here a group of combatants practice the “star pattern”, a drill going through the strikezones, at Training in Beefacres Hall.

Instruction for group combat: Jeremy explains how to use and maintain a shieldwall against swords and pole arms, while Nick, Jason and Emerson pay close attention and discuss the techniques involved.

Fighters put instruction into practice. Here Emerson and Jason do combat with sword and shield, while their shields also provide protection for their comrades who are attacking with spear and axe. A blow from Jeremy’s axe sees Nick floored.

Instruction for one to one combat: Here Skeld and Jason demonstrate effective use of the spear, while Paul and Moira watch and ask questions at Training in Beefacres Hall.