A shield wall asks the body to hold an athletic position while absorbing movement from several directions. Fighters may remain bent through the hips and knees,…
Modern medieval combat has grown far beyond the theatrical pageants of the past. Today the International Medieval Combat Federation governs full-contact sport…
Few weapons of the late Middle Ages carry as much swagger as the bec de corbin, a polearm whose name translates plainly as "raven's beak." Designed for an era…
Blindfolded practice can sharpen proprioception, balance, posture and spatial awareness when it is used as a carefully controlled training method. For medieval…
In historical medieval combat, a fighter’s performance depends on far more than strength, timing and technique. Armour must protect the body, weapons must…
Multi-day medieval combat tournaments place unusual demands on the body. Fighters may complete several hard bouts in a single day, then return to the lists…
A weapon failure during a medieval combat bout can happen in a heartbeat. A haft may split, a shield boss may loosen, a sword blade may become unsafe, or a…
A shield in International Medieval Combat Federation competition must survive repeated, high-energy contact while remaining safe for the fighter, opponents and…
Medieval combat demands far more than strength alone. A fighter may need to surge forward, evade a strike, regain balance after contact, or drive through a…