Cross-training in Martial Arts

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the idea of cross-training in martial arts. Cross-training is rejected by traditionalists in particular. Nonetheless, cross-training can provide valuable insight into the art of fighting.
When talking about cross-training in martial arts, grappling arts are frequently mentioned. But we can also cross-train in combat systems with weapons.

Fencing

The origins of contemporary fencing must be found in Antiquity and medieval fighting methods. The swords used then were suitable as impact weapons and less so as stabbing weapons. The use of a shield to absorb the blow of a sword was widely accepted. Therefore, the warriors of the time were probably physically very strong. One cannot speak of true fencing.
During the Renaissance, the use of stabbing weapons came more to the foreround. Probably because firearms made their appearance and heavy armour was replaced by lighter clothing. With the change in clothing, the way of body-to-body combat was also adapted. Impact weapons were replaced by stabbing weapons.

We do need to distinguish between civilian and military weaponry. The origins of modern fencing and the resulting stick fencing must be sought in civilian weaponry.
Civilian weaponry served 2 purposes:

• Duel, an arranged engagement in combat between two people with matched weapons
• Self-defense, about protecting yourself and your family against the hostile actions of criminals.

Dueling remained highly popular in European society, despite various attempts at banning the practice. From 1841 to 2000, Belgium had a criminal law on duelling.It offered reduced sentences for those who injured or killed someone during a duel.
The concept of ‘dueling’ can be found in numerous competitive martial arts styles.
Today’s competitive fencing is largely based on a stabbing technique. Three types of weapons are promoted. Floret and epee are stabbing weapons, a sabre is a stabbing and impact weapon.

Stick fencing – La Canne

Stick fencing became popular in the 19th century as a result of the ban on carrying a sabre for civilians. Although a stick doesn’t have a sharp point or cutting edge, it still has the potential to kill or injure an adversary through its striking technique.

Stick fencing has several tendencies that can be derived from the different European fencing traditions. We distinguish between the German tradition, the Italian tradition, the Spanish tradition, and the French tradition. Despite regional distinctions, there have been many transfers between traditions in terms of technique and philosophy.
By the end of the 19th century, French traditions were the most prevalent methods. La Canne, as the French called their method, was part of a self-defence system that included French boxing. Outside the French language area, stick fencing can also be found.

A popular version is the “Bartitsu stick fencing system”, an English method that gained fame thanks to Conan Doyle’s books featuring Sherlock Holmes as the main character. The stick fencing component has its origins in La Canne’s Vigny system, a method from the French-speaking region of Europe.

An upside-down world

Of course, we cannot forget the Eastern traditions that found their way into the Western world of martial arts and martial arts in the 20th century. Despite the European influence in Tanjo Jutsu being denied by some Jojutsu practitioners, stances and striking technique share similarities.
One notable tradition is Japanese Shindo Muso Ryu Jo-jutsu. This tradition promotes a form of stick fighting using as its central weapon the Jo, a stick about 130 cm long. In this tradition one finds the Uchida-Ryu Tanjo Jutsu, a method based on European walking stick fencing from the 19th century.

The link with Aikido

Aikido was created by Morihei Ueshiba’s students after the war. In most modern aikido systems, weapons are used in training. A cane or a walking stick belongs not to the traditional weaponry in aikido.
Nonetheless, a short stick was employed by a few of Ueshiba’s students in their training methods.

Kenji Tomiki, who created competitive aikido, also played a role in the creation of Goshi-jutsu no kata, which is a formal exercise in Kodokan Judo that has a self-defense section that involves the use of a short stick.

In the Tomiki Aikido training syllabus, a “Softo”, a short stick is used for example to practise “avoidance”.

Integrating a walking stick into your training requires a lot of study to determine which elements you would like to incorporate into your training. If your training is focusing on the sports side of Tomiki Aikido, practicing with a walking stick is a waste of time. As usual, there are no absolutes.
Le Combat de la Canne is a French competitive system with a stick that originated from the ‘La Canne’ methods for self-defense.

“La Canne” or the French Stick Fighting system

If the purpose of your training is to study practical elements for self-defense or aikido weapons training, practising with a walking stick can be very rewarding training supplement.
La Canne is build upon a more than 500 years experience of sword masters. Their knowledge is equal to that of the famous Japanese Swordmen.

Most of the La Canne methods have a similar syllabus that contains the following items.

• Guards / Postures
• Moulinets – Circling of the cane
• Footwork
• Striking, thrusting, ….
• Parries
• Combinations
• Freeplay

A lot of attention is paid to:

• Distance – 3 basic distances
• Timing – 3 basic timings

The concepts of distance and timing are integral to Eastern martial arts. It can be said that they are the ‘essential concepts’ of all martial arts.

This concept can be practiced at different levels, with beginners generally moving slowly and not using powerful actions.

Are you intrigued?

The internet is a great place to find a lot of information. But fundamentally, practicing is the best solution.
For those who are interested, our group offers introductionary sessions.