Bartitsu cane sparring video

Discussion in 'Western Martial Arts' started by Devon, Oct 5, 2013.

  1. Devon

    Devon Valued Member

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzn61h6lWOM"]Bartitsu stick sparring - YouTube[/ame]

    A short video showing some technical stick sparring from the 2012 Bartitsu School of Arms.

    In this type of sparring, the mask, gloves, forearms, thighs and calves are all legal targets. Stick strikes and thrusts as well as unarmed strikes, weapon traps/disarms and standing grappling may all be employed.

    Fighters are encouraged to experiment with variations on the standard high guards, for example by lowering the guards as positions of invitation. They may acknowledge hits verbally and/or gesturally, but the emphasis is on continual action.

    The weapons are 3/4″ diameter, 36″ rattan sparring canes from Purpleheart Armory, equipped with solid rubber ball handles to simulate the steel ball handles of real Bartitsu canes. The asymmetrical balance of the cane is a key factor in Bartitsu stick fighting.
     
  2. Dan Bian

    Dan Bian Neither Dan, nor Brian

    I enjoyed that :)
     
  3. shootodog

    shootodog restless native

    That was nice. What were the gauges of the cane? What wood? Also it seems less flashy than la canne.
     
  4. Devon

    Devon Valued Member

    3/4" diameter 36" rattan canes with solid rubber handles simulating the steel ball handles of real Bartitsu fighting canes.
     
  5. Devon

    Devon Valued Member

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_LtP6QiVzI"]Bartitsu sparring part 1 of 2 - YouTube[/ame]

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l96r5rggUkw"]Bartitsu sparring part 2 of 2 - YouTube[/ame]

    Highlights from several rounds of recreational medium/hard contact sparring at the Bartitsu Club of Chicago.

    The object of this type of sparring is to pressure-test one’s skills while (re-)discovering the most combat-efficient blend of the methods that went into E.W. Barton-Wright’s original Bartitsu system, via experimentation. Thus, the sparring repertoire is deliberately anachronistic; while there is room for spur-of-the-moment improvisation, the techniques are largely restricted to the canonical and lineage material, dating from 1899 into the early 1920s.

    Most significantly, these “style points” include:

    Predominant use of single and double-handed high guard positions in stick fighting.
    Almost exclusive use of “hanging” or “roof”-style parries, in which the weapon-wielding hand is held higher than the point of impact between the two weapons, rather than the orthodox fencing parries in 3 and 4.
    Stick fighting tactics are heavily weighted towards invitations (for example, by lowering and/or widening the guard position to tempt an attack to a specific area), pre-emptive striking/feinting and “guards by distance” (simultaneous evasion and counter-attack)
    Active integration of armed and unarmed combat
    Predominant use of linear punches and linear, low kicks; in strictly unarmed combat, fighters employ the classic erect or backward-leaning fisticuffs stance and the “mill” pattern of vertically rotating fists.
    When coming to grips in jacketed unarmed combat, the posture remains erect.
    Deliberate exclusion of low-line grappling attacks (double-leg takedowns, etc.)

    The minimum protective equipment for this type of sparring consists of fencing masks, hockey or lacrosse gloves and groin cups. The weapons shown are 3/4" diameter, 36+" rattan sparring canes, tipped with standard rubber cane ferrules at one end and with solid rubber “ball” handles at the other, simulating the steel ball handles of classic fighting canes. The asymmetrical balance of the cane is a key factor in this style of stick fighting.

    Fighters offer a simple salute with the stick or touch gloves to indicate the commencement and conclusion of a match.

    Fighters may acknowledge points verbally and/or gesturally but the emphasis is on continual action. A bout that goes to the ground may feature a successful submission hold/tapout but that does not necessarily represent the end of the match; by mutual accord, the fighters may simply recommence from a standing start if they wish.
     
  6. bujingodai

    bujingodai Retired Supporter

    I had my 1st experience with this style during a seminar I taught at in the summer.
    Jesse Barnick was the instructor. I have no idea what his cred is if any. He impressed me though frankly.

    Have any of you experience with that name
     
  7. gapjumper

    gapjumper Intentionally left blank

    What is your background, what did you like and did anything conflict with what you have learned in other arts previously?

    Come on, throw out a bone.
     
  8. bujingodai

    bujingodai Retired Supporter

    You know exactly what my background is. Or your take on it.

    I was asking if anyone knew the guy, as I don't know how to gauge the art. It just looked like an impressive display.
    I didn't look for movement that would disagree from my own.
     
  9. pseudo

    pseudo Padawan

    I know nothing... :p

    I recently found that I have access to Savate in my area, so knowing nothing about Savate, I decided to snoop around google. Turns out Savate also incorporates Canne d’Arme, soooo..... I wounder who dose it better the French or the English :p

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFqh4IKSA64&feature=youtube_gdata_player"]Canne de Combat et Bâton 2003 - SAVATE (СÐÐ’ÐТ) - YouTube[/ame]
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2014
  10. ap Oweyn

    ap Oweyn Ret. Supporter

    What does that have to do with the question being asked? If the answer is "nothing," stop dragging it into other threads.
     
  11. gapjumper

    gapjumper Intentionally left blank

    Well, I thought the bartitsu guys would want to know where he was coming from, and I wondered if he had previous experience in cane etc.

    Is that ok?
     
  12. ap Oweyn

    ap Oweyn Ret. Supporter

    Sorry. I guess I'm just grumpy from all those bruises I took falling off the back of a turnip truck.

    ...

    Bujinggodai stated he'd attended a seminar and enjoyed it. There's precisely NO knowledge of his background required to read and understand that statement. You're badgering. Please stop. If Bujingodai feels it's necessary to put his comments in context, he can make that decision for himself.
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2014
  13. Devon

    Devon Valued Member

    Canne d'arme (as an aspect of modern savate/boxe Francaise) is often defined as an "artistic sport". It's a recent (1970s-ish) development of the original 19th century style, in which higher points are awarded for more spectacular techniques involving jumps, spins etc. There's also a cane self defense aspect, less often taught, as part of modern "savate defense".

    The canne style incorporated into Bartitsu is specifically based on that of Pierre Vigny, the savate and cane instructor at the original Bartitsu Club in London between 1899-1902. Vigny's style was a radical reformation of the traditional system, incorporating grappling and double-handed techniques and fighting almost exclusively from high guard positions, rather than from orthodox sabre fencing guards of tierce and quarte.
     
  14. Devon

    Devon Valued Member

    I've never met him, but he has a good rep. and I like what I've seen of his classes on video.
     
  15. bujingodai

    bujingodai Retired Supporter

    Much appreciated. He was a class act to speak to. He did some European pugilism as well, in the old school duds and all.

    I watched him do a free sparring session with a high ranking student of another school. His flow was very nice. Effortless.

    Seems quite an intelligent guy.
     
  16. Grass hopper

    Grass hopper Valued Member

    How very French

    "The British are cane fighting? Ha! We will add spinning, and bouncing and make it better!"
     
  17. pseudo

    pseudo Padawan

    Sure, why not? Its one thing to be effective but be effective and look good doing it, now that's skill. :D
     
  18. Grass hopper

    Grass hopper Valued Member

    Just look at how snazzy savate is!
     
  19. lklawson

    lklawson Valued Member

    Savate's cane work is completely different in theory from Bartitsu's cane work. Savate's cane stuff is loosely based upon saber, both the sporting version and the defense system. Bartitsu's cane work is heavily based upon a knobbed cane which more closely resembles a Mace than a Sabre.

    And it gets even weirder when using double ended holds or crooked canes.

    One is not "better" than the other. It's just "different."

    Peace favor your sword,
    Kirk
     

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