The LFHA Club Training Day with Mike Simpson and Steve Angell.

This weekend I had the pleasure of hosting an event on behalf of the LHFA (London Historical Fencing Alliance). I very deliberately chose something that wasn't a fencing event, but also offered exercises extremely pertinent to swordsmanship, the Indian Clubs. I train clubs often. I use it to teach some beginner students structure and flow within the cut, but I was glad to have a day off and hand the reins to some gentlemen with much greater experience than my own.

 Enter Mike Simpson and Steve Angell.

 

 Wearing their Aloha T-shirts: Steve on the left, Mike on the right.

We only had four hours for this first seminar so Mike went very swiftly into getting folk moving with and without clubs. Taking everyone through a twenty minute warm up that also allowed the few late runners time to slip quietly into the class at the back. I was dashing all over the place but I was enjoying hearing Mike talk about using complex sequences to switch your mind off and achieve the simple thing you thought you couldn't do. I paraphrase there, but I think this is an important truth and (I believe )one of the aims of Meyer's cutting sequences.

 

That done, a section of the class split to help Steve get his gear to the outside training area to set up the heavy clubs (Meels and Jori). From that moment we had two classes running in tandem: the lighter more dextrous club work, and the strength and structure meels.

Throughout, Mike remained tireless in his energy and enthusiasm, giving people brief moments of respite as he solo demonstrated, but keeping the movement confident and constant. I suspect if I had not suggested a break for everyone between swapping over that he could of carried on right through.

Steve's class was by necessity a little more broken up. The additional weight making endurance swinging less of an option, a perfect mix of drilling and chatter about the origins of the meels allowed people to push themselves without being broken.

Both Mike and Steve dealt with everyone in a kind and hearty manner throughout. Both exhibiting a great professional attitude to training. Both with the overbrimming passion for their subject that carries people along. I had a lot of feedback from people after the seminar, all of it positive.

 It was very much a pleasure to have them down to teach, I hope that we will do so again soon.

Mike Simpson's web page.

Steve Angell's YouTube channel.