Classes

From April 19th 2010 classes are run on Monday evenings from 7:30pm to 9:15pm in the Main Gym, Cupar YMCA, Cupar, Fife, Scotland.

Class schedule for 2010

August to December - Military Sabre

For the rest of the year we shall return to classes in Military Sabre of the Leith School. The military sabre of the mid to late 19th century is the foundation weapon for all study at Black Boar. The style studied is that of the School Instructor, called the Leith School, which is based on a mix of period sources, notably Alfred Hutton and Richard Burton's works, but also the instructor's own views on fencing.

There is some spare protective equipment and sabres available for this class, so for new students all you need is a glove and the usual clothes. For more information see the uniform page.

What happens in a class

Classes always start with a full warm up, stretching and conditioning session. This helps focus the mind on the task ahead, reduces the risk of muscle strains and promotes the flexibility and muscle strength necessary for swordplay.

After the warm up the class proper begins. These always start and end with the school salute as a mark of respect to one another and an indicator that the time for serious martial study has begun.

The nature of the class itself will vary from style to style, but at Black Boar there is a strong emphasis on footwork and drill as the foundation of any system. All students, no matter how experienced, benefit from working on these core skills and all classes will contain an element of basic footwork and blade drill.

From there classes usually will concentrate on one or two themes such as a specific technique or principal.

At the end of the formal class, there shall be a 10 minute period where Free Scholars may engage in freeplay. During this period newer students can receive one on one remedial or catch up tuition from the class instructor.

And as quick as a flash two hours are over and we adjourn for another week.

Class Fees

The first class is always free. 
Subsequent classes are £5 per class.
There is an annual membership fee of £30 payable after 1 month.

Fees go to cover the cost of the hall, insurance and school kit.