The Academy of European Martial Arts
Here at steelfighting.com and New Ulster Steel Fighting, we are proud to announce the formation of the Academy of European Martial Arts (A.E.M.A.) here in Waco, TX. The Academy is an off-shoot of N.U.S.F. where a full curriculum specifically designed for youth/children will be implemented to teach martial arts of European origin to students at a young age. Leadership training and character development, as well as physical fitness and the development of self confidence will be focusses. Adult classes are also available within the academy and will be held at separate times from the youth. The adult rank structure will fall under the guidelines of the Guardsmen Division described on the Rank Page of this site. The youth ranks will vary some with the use of white, yellow, and orange chevrons. Children will also have special patches that can be awarded to them for attachment to their uniform for noteworthy achievements during class and outside of normal martial arts class. Just as in New Ulster Steel Fighting, the live steel competitive martial arts school that is the parent school of the new academy, A.E.M.A. is no promotion factory like many other martial arts schools are today. Students will have to work to earn their ranks and awards. If they do not put in the effort, they simply will not see progression through the ranks. We believe in awarding earned achievement and thus rank within our academy is not given to students, it is earned by the students.
If you live in the Heart of Texas area and are interested in joining for yourself in our adult classes, or you are a parent and want to enroll your child/children, please contact us through our contacts page on this site. We will get back to you within twenty-four hours. Come join us and experience an extremely rewarded martial arts journey.
Interesting Perspectives on the Modern Tournament
By: Jefferson P. Webb
Although there is a segment of the HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) community that does not approve of nor are they interested in modern HEMA/Medieval Martial Arts tournaments, utilizing martial skill in tournament fighting (sport-fighting) is in no way a new concept. What reasons do some of the modern HEMA practitioners give for not engaging in competitions and what did fighting for sport mean to the medieval knights as seen through the eyes of one of chivalry’s most celebrated Medieval knights?
One thing that the author of this posting has noticed in researching other blogs, message and review boards, articles and other martial arts sites online is that there is a certain level of hesitation or lack of desire on the part of some (not all) HEMA schools, clubs, and organizations to engage in freestyle combat tournaments. And, when some of them do engage in such events, they are closed events within their own organizations. Naturally there are a number of HEMA schools that do indeed compete in open tournaments, but what is the mindset or philosophy behind others not doing so? There appears to be two main reasons that continue to recur the most as to why some HEMA groups will not engage in the tournament. (more…)
Now Recruiting New Members!!!
New Ulster Steel Fighting and steelfighting.com is pleased to announce some awesome awards for current students/members and prospective members as well. For the remainder of this month (March 2013) through the end of May 2013, we are having a recruiting drive here at New Ulster Steel Fighting in Waco, TX. Any current member who recruits 3 new members will receive one month free training/membership. That is a $60.00 value. Any prospective members that joins and brings in two of his or her friends that also joins will receive the same reward of one month free membership/training. That said, if you think you can bring in more members, don’t settle for a month’s free membership. Bring in 5 new members and the grand master will award you your own Starfire LS32 sword. That is a $150.00 value and the sword comes with a lifetime warranty through Starfire Swords Ltd. (warranty information located at Starfire’s web site). And finally, if you manage to bring in a total of 8 new members you will receive an official combat ready NUSF round shield to go along with your Starfire LS32 sword. So, if you are looking for a martial arts school that teaches Historical European Martial Arts, join us and bring in some of your friends and family members. 
There are some great incentives for doing so to include the awesome training and camaraderie you will gain by being a member. It does not matter if you have never studied HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) or if you are a seasoned veteran in the arts but are looking for a new school in the Heart of Texas/Central Texas region. We would love to have you on board with us! If you are a current member, get with it and reap the awesome benefits of our special recruiting drive! Come join us today and be apart of an awesome family of martial artists and earn some great rewards in the process. Contact us through the contact page of this site and leave us your name, email address and phone number and I will contact you via phone or email within 24 hours. Come join us! We would love to have you here!
NUSF SMCA Represented at Texas Spartan Race Beast
By: Jeff Webb
Here at steelfighting.com and New Ulster Steel Fighting School of Medieval Combat Arts, we like to promote a martial artist being a well-rounded person. We like to focus on the whole person. We strive not only to set a good example in dedicated training within our martial arts school, but also outside of it both in academics and in physical fitness.
This past December 8th, Spartan Race held a Spartan Race Beast in Glenn Rose, Texas. This race in the Spartan Race series was a 13.5 mile, 30 obstacle course on the land of the Rough Creek Lodge and Resort. The Beast is one of the most challenging races Spartan Race conducts and it can push a person to their limits both physically and mentally. I decided to take on the challenge and I have to say it was one of the toughest, yet most rewarding physical challenges that ever I have undertaken. It was incredibly rewarding and leaves one with a great feeling of accomplishment once you have crossed the finish line. (more…)
Purists and Innovators: An Observation of Two Classifications of Western Martial Artists
Although there has been a rise in interest for roughly the last three decades in Renaissance and Medieval European Martial Arts, or what some refer to as Western Martial Arts, there appears to be surfacing what may be a level of contention between what the author of this article will refer to as “Purists” and “Innovators.” What is the matter of contention, or problem between these two classifications of martial artists and why does it exist? Furthermore, should there really be any issue in the first place? (more…)
Our Thanks on a Global Level
As the Founder of steelfighting.com and Grand Master of New Ulster Steel Fighting, I want to take the time to thank all of the visitors and loyal readers to steelfighting.com for taking such an interest in our blog site. We make every effort here to post interesting, informative, and well cited scholarly posting, and it makes me and the rest of the wonderful martial artists of New Ulster Steel Fighting extremely happy and appreciative for our global readers and loyal followers. We now have readers and regular visitors to our site from forty-four wonderful nations around the globe. I want to give recognition to them in the best way that I am able and list each of the nations from which we have visitors to steelfighting.com. Here they are:
United States, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Australia, Ireland, Norway, Slovakia, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Italy, Portugal, Philippines, Belgium, Denmark, France, Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Netherlands, Spain, Netherlands Antilles, Guam, Georgia, Greece, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Croatia, Qatar, Switzerland, Mongolia, Montenegro, Argentina, Finland, Malta, Japan, Angola, Latvia, and New Zealand.
Again, thank you so very much for an outstanding first year here at steelfighting.com. We are excited about being into our second year now and hope that you continue to check back regularly for more informative and well supported scholarly, historical postings as well as martial arts information. Thanks again, and I pray that you and yours are blessed beyond all measure.
Sincerely,
Grand Master Webb
Global Image:
Gina Bianchini. ning.com, http://www.ning.com/blog/2008/01/a_world_of_possibilities.html. Accessed May 1, 2012.
2012 New Ulster Steel Fighting Recruiting Campaign
New Ulster Steel Fighting is launching a new recruiting campaign for the Heart of Texas area. Efforts will be made to more openly recruit in the hopes to recruit some new dedicated members who desire to train in what is one of the richest martial arts one can find. The range of weapons that we train with and teach are listed in the About section of our site. But just as importantly we desire people who are honest and trustworthy, and have a good sense of dedication. The training can be tough and demanding at times, and bumps and bruises are typically part of the territory,but the feeling of accomplishment you will feel when you pass your tests will bolster your self-confidence by leaps and bounds.
If you are interested, or know someone who is, you may contact me through our Contacts page or through twitter. Thank you so much and I pray for an outstanding year for you and yours, and the same for steelfighting.com and New Ulster Steel Fighting.
Sincerely,
Br. Jefferson Webb, Grand Master
Merry Christmas!
I want to take just a moment and wish all of you who visit our site and read our blog postings, and the members and officers of New Ulster Steel Fighting a very blessed and merry Christmas. It has been and continues to be a great blessing to be able to teach, train with, and learn along with such wonderful people as the membership of New Ulster Steel Fighting. You are a group of martial artists that I am very proud to be associated with. I dare say that you are an elite group of martial artists who train in the rich art of Medieval European combat on an individual level as well as on a team level. Thank you all for your dedication, loyalty, friendship, and for your prayers. I hope that I am as great a blessing to you all as you are to me.
From myself and my family, we pray that you have a safe and wonderfully blessed Christmas!
Sincerely,
Br. Jeff Webb, Grand Master
A Sword for the Modern Swordsman: The Absolute Best for Your Money
By Jefferson Webb
Although there are an almost endless number of on-line and physical businesses through which one may purchase a sword, the majority of these swords are display and not at all fit for actual steel-on-steel contact. For that matter they cannot be deemed fit for contact with anything but the display stand on which they sit. And if that is what someone wants as part of home décor, then naturally there is nothing wrong with that. But what about the modern martial artist who wants a sword that is functional in the sense that it can withstand steel-on-steel contact for years as an integral part of the art in which he or she is training. Naturally these swords must be (or should be for safety) blunt and dull, NOT sharp. Where can a practitioner of Western/Euro martial arts or Asian martial arts acquire such a sword? From whom can he or she purchase such a sword? (more…)
