Reviews

TitleDateExcerpt
The physics of leverage in axe and polearm strikesAxe and polearm strikes look powerful because they combine body mass, footwork, rotation and a long lever into one visible action. In medieval combat, however,…
Drills For Peripheral Awareness In A Mass MeleePeripheral awareness is one of the most valuable skills in a mass melee. A fighter must track nearby opponents, teammates, weapon lines, boundaries and…
Choosing the Right Undergarment Padding for Heat ManagementHeat management begins before a fighter pulls on a gambeson, jacket or plate harness. The layer worn next to the skin affects how quickly sweat moves away, how…
Understanding the Psychological Toll of Prolonged Tournament DaysMedieval combat tournaments demand sustained attention, physical effort and emotional control. A fighter may begin the day preparing armour, move through…
Switching Gears in the Lists: Fast Stance Changes for Medieval FightersIn the rugged sporting culture of Australia, where contact codes from rugby league to amateur boxing have long shaped how athletes train, full-contact…
Building a Strong Neck and Shoulders for Armoured CombatFor any fighter stepping into the lists under steel, the upper body is the engine room of every strike, every shield check, every recovery after a blown…
Building explosive power for shield charges in melee battlesIn historical medieval combat, the first two seconds of a shield charge decide the entire exchange. A fighter who accelerates cleanly, lands a controlled blow…
Keeping medieval combat weapons in prime condition between battlesWhen you invest in a full kit of arming swords, pollaxes, or longswords built to International Medieval Combat Federation specifications, you are not just…
Shields of the IMCF: A Cross-Border Chronicle of Form and FunctionThe clang of steel on wood still echoes in arenas from Warsaw to Calgary, where athletes in full harness gather to honour a millennium of battlefield craft.…
Coordinated Retreats: Holding Formation in Medieval Melee CombatAnyone who has stepped onto the lists at a medieval melee tournament knows the truth: a bout swings because a unit loses its shape, not because of a single…