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Curriculum

Following historical western traditions and philosophy, Knight Fight teaches the science of how your body works in combat situations. Participants are not simply taught concepts and techniques, but also the scientific rationale which validate them. Being a system developed for no specific situation, it is applicable to almost any. Whether armed or unarmed, against single or multiple opponents, Knight Fight combatants will rely on their understanding of the dynamics of combat to overcome an opponent by finding or forcing a weakness in their style rather than executing complex guards, strikes and specific counters. The curriculum is focused on general battlefield skills rather than specific duelling skills, and the skills of our martial art are directly transferrable to any situation of physical conflict.

The saying "when form overwhelms function entropy begins" is often used in Knight Fight. It means that when having perfect technique becomes more important than being effective and efficient the style will lose its relevance to the battlefield. Strict class formats are adhered to with formalities, exercises and drills being the basis of all classes. Everybody follows the same rules and uses the same equipment.

Code of Conduct

Knight Fight participants are expected to abide by our Code of Conduct. Those of the highest rank, Knight Master, are expected to embody this Code.

Neutrality - Separate emotion from action.
Determination - Perform to my highest ability.
Prowess - Increase Knowledge.
Insight - Improve technique and application.
Leadership - Help others to follow this code.

The honour system in Knight Fight differs too from most commonly accepted ideals (chivalry, budo etc.). Respect is shown by giving everything you have to defeat the opponent. If this means outnumbering and attacking from behind then you do it. Doing anything less implies that you do not consider your opponent to be a significant threat.

Fundamental Assumptions

It is these assumptions, or perhaps more accurately - lack of assumptions, which really define the Knight Fight style and set it apart from the training methods of many other martial arts today.

You will encounter Unknown opponents.
You will encounter Unseen opponents.
You will encounter Multiple opponents.
You will encounter opponents in Unfamiliar Environments.

We never know who we will fight, what style they use or how good they are with it. We will not always be confronted one-on-one and face-to-face. We dont know where we will be confronted, it may not always be a flat floor free of both fixed and moving obstacles. It is these (lack of) assumptions that give rise to our emphasis on maintaining a ready position which favours neither offence nor defence, and ensures that we stay aware of our surroundings and able to move in all directions without compromising our readiness.

Techniques

The practical techniques of the curriculum are broken down into four areas:

Form Up
The textbook ready, or form up, position favours neither offence nor defence. Concepts of how gravity works on the body, how the positioning of centre of gravity affects control of stability are taught. The form up position consists of stance (positioning of the feet, legs, pelvis and torso), shield position (if used) and guard (weapon position). A significant difference between Knight Fight and other martial arts styles is our preference to fight from a position determined by our own striking range rather than to fight from a position just outside our opponents striking range and having to rapidly close distance before attacking.

Movement
Having learnt how to stand we then learn how to move. Stepping is the process of shifting from one good stance to another without significantly compromising stability. A variety of movement types are taught which allow the combatant to deal with opponents on all sides, and facilitates combination offensive and defensive actions. Another major difference between Knight Fight and other martial arts is our preference for our weight to be placed on the heels rather than the balls of our feet having the effect of much greater control of stability.

Defence
Our definition of the purpose and goal of combat give reason for our defence priority. The defence priority determines how we apply defence options of movement, blocking and parrying such as to minimise the compromise of our form up position.

Offence
No specific guards, wards, strikes or counters are taught, also there are no fancy names for particular strikes or other actions. Striking techniques are broken down into component stages and explained in relation to body mechanics. By understanding how these stages affect the efficiency and effectiveness of a strike we able to strike at any potential opening and are better able to modify strikes mid-execution as required with minimal compromise of momentum and force transferred.

Compromise and Advantage

The culmination of the Knight Fight curriculum is that, having learnt the textbook method and understanding the rationale behind the most optimal way of standing, moving, defending and attacking, we are then able to make conscious compromises to gain particular advantages in combat. In class an Instructor is often heard saying "to minimise the compromise of xxxxx". Compromises in style will create openings to be exploited by an opponent but if used intentionally, in the right situation, can also cause an opponent to make unintentional compromises weakening their own style. Martial styles which are based on assumptions about the opponent, their style, skill level and the way in which they are confronted will often end up making extreme compromises for extreme advantages. In such styles, some compromises made do not create a weakness in style only because the rules of engagement prohibit one combatant from using such openings to overcome their opponent. Knight Fight trained combatants learn to analyse an opponents style to detect any potential compromises which can be used to land a scoring strike. The Knight Fight rules of combat allow (almost) unrestricted target zones.

Mass Combat

Encounters which occur in the school yard, pubs, clubs or on the street, often have one thing in common and that is the fact of more than two people being involved. Mass combat was a reality of historical combat, and is a reality of combat in world today hence the increase in the number of "reality based" martial arts schools and instructors. At the first Knight Fight class you attend you will be involved in team combat. Individual combat skills are taught alongside team skills such as formations, battle strategies, leadership and communication. Knowing when to fight and when to retreat and rally are just as important as knowing how to fight. Being aware of the combat environment and being able to assess an opponents style and skill level are critical to determining the best way to defeat them. Multiple opponents against one individual and team combat scenarios with unbalanced team numbers frequently occur in Knight Fight classes.