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Weapons Training

"Weapons Training for the Screenfighter, Martial Artist, and Novice."

Weapons training can be a beneficial asset for the screenfighter, martial artist, and novice. Traditionally, weapons training in most Asian martial arts systems become available to students after they have spent            at least  three years, rigorously training in empty hand. However, there are European and some Asian    weapons systems like Kali of the Phillipines, that begin training with the weapon. This makes learning a   weapon faster than traditional methods. Kali actually works backward  from the use of the stick, knife,         sword, staff, etc., to empty hand training, Other systems of Kali like, Vee Arnis Jitsu, use all the elements of Kali weapons training, combined with Ju-Jitsu empty hand techniques.

As a screenfighter, weapons training is invaluable, when you consider weapons training is becoming scarce and demand is increasing in the entertainment industry. This makes things increasingly challenging for the stunt dept., when film projects require the use of weapons. Along with the scarcity of  practitioners, weapons training takes time in order to be truly proficient as a weapons screenfighter. Actors can be trained to look proficient  after several months of training, and are usually heavily doubled by a proficient weapons screenfighter. Being a proficient weapons screenfighter can make you more valuable as a performer, than someone wihout it.

Along with greater job opportunity for the screenfighter, weapons training helps to develop, eye-hand coordination, timing, rhythm, balance, footwork, stricking with edged and non-edged weapons, strengthening, streching, and lengthening of muscles, joints, and tendons, increased agility vs. brute strength, use of short and long range distances, use of angles of attack, use of empty hand techniques as an extention of the weapon, sensitivity and touch through partnering, etc.

So whether your a screenfighter, martial artist, or novice, weapons training is an effective form of self-defense that develops a variety of skills that can be maintained throughout ones life, since weapons training has a low impact effect on the body than most other martial arts.  

Marcus Salgado earned his bachelors degree in Media Studies at the City University Of New York at Hunter College. He is the editor of Screenfighter.com and head master instructor for Screenfighter Academy. Mr. Salgado is an Entertainment Professional, Martial Artist, and Health Consultant.