Who We Are

Brisbane Sword School is a small group of sword enthusiasts who love practicing sword together and enhancing our skills and understanding.

Where We Train

Sword classes are held in Deception Bay QLD.

From 1st September 2023

Day	Start	Finish	Location
Saturday	9:30 am	11:00 am	John Naumann Hall
Wednesday	7:30 pm	8:30 pm	John Naumann Hall

What We Do

	Basic Drills & Stances
	Basic stances (body positions), cuts and movements. More...
	Incorporates basic stances (body positions), cuts and movements. These are the fundamentals of the art, and the difference between a white belt and a black belt is seen in these basics.

	Patterns
	A sequence of 20 to 60 movements, attacks and blocks that should tell a small story of an epic battle! More...
	A sequence of 20 to 60 movements, attacks and blocks that should tell a small story of an epic battle! These help us learn to apply the basics against imaginary attackers. Teaches transitions between stances and the different block/cut positions. A first step towards sparring.

	Partner Work
	Short patterns done with two people, an attacker and a defender. More...
	Sometimes called “step sparring”. Essentially short patterns done with two people, an attacker and a defender. Teaches distancing, timing and the importance of good blocks and moving the sword out of the way before attacking. The second step towards sparring.

	Free Sparring
	There are no set sequences, it is all up to you to apply what you have learnt and try not to get hit! More...
	There are no set sequences, it is all up to you now. Free sparring is a great way to see if you can use what you have learnt under a “stress” situation. Lower ranks tend to “forget everything” and go for basic whacking, whilst higher ranks you’ll see them moving through their stances without conscious thought, staying on balance and ready for anything.

	Drawing & Sheathing
	There is a lot involved in just drawing the sword from the scabbard. You could dedicate a whole martial art to just this, like Iaido. More...
	Whilst drawing the sword from the sheath/scabbard and putting it away sounds simple, there’s actually quite a lot involved. Add someone charging at you with their sword already drawn and ready to cut you and you really hope you can get your sword out quickly! We do this a lot, with emphasis on keeping all your bits out of the way, so, by the time you have to use a live blade, you can do so safely.

	Candles
	Extinguishing a candle with a sword cut, but without touching either the candle or the flame! More...
	Extinguishing a candle with a sword cut is just cool! Think of what your friends will think when you extinguish your birthday candles with a single sword cut! Now, think of what they’ll think when you miss and cake & burning candles (or heads) go flying into those friends, and just don’t 🙂. Teaches distance, patience and control.

	Rolling & Cartwheels
	Optional, but fun! Dive rolls and cartwheels whilst holding/cutting with a sword and wearing a scabbard - what could go wrong? More...
	Optional, but fun! Some of the higher level partners include rolling, dive rolling or cartwheels whilst holding/cutting with a sword. We practice these early, without a sword so you are ready by the time it is in your pattern. There are alternative moves if you don’t feel ready.

	Lightsabers
	Katanas are awesome, but lightsabers look and sound so cool! More...
	Katanas are awesome, but my first sword was a lightsaber (PVC pipe with a motorcycle handlebar grip). Modern lightsabers look & sound cool and are sturdy enough for partner work. When used during patterns, they help students with flow - keeping the sword and/or body moving. Students know lightsabers keep moving during those epic Star Wars battles. Also used for specific lightsaber patterns done with a partner.

	Dual Swords
	When one sword just isn’t enough, why not use two? More...
	When one sword just isn’t enough, why not use two? Getting both arms working independently and keeping out of the way of the other arm and sword is a challenge. We have drills to get students used to this. Higher level black belt patterns include two swords.

	Cutting Drills
	Drills to prepare you for live (sharp) blade cutting. More...
	Drills to prepare you for live (sharp) blade cutting. From drawing the sword, moving into the correct distance, performing one or more attacks on one or more targets and then returning the sword to its sheath/scabbard.

	Carrot Cutting
	Great for kids and beginners to get a taste for target cutting but with a blunt sword. More...
	A carrot is placed in a cutting stand and a student executes a diagonal or horizontal cut. Teaches distancing and sword angles (cutting instead of whacking). A step towards bamboo/pool noodle cutting that can be done with the lower ranks and children.

	Apple Cutting
	Did someone say "Fruit Ninja"? Throwing apples in the air and cutting them as they fall. More...
	Cutting stationary (and stationery 😉) targets are great, but sometimes our attackers aren’t so obliging and want to move out of the way to avoid being cut! We throw an apple into the air, draw the sword and cut the apple before it hits the ground. Teaches distancing, timing, control (not hitting the ground) and cutting using stances.

	Paper Cutting
	For advanced students. Shredding paper with a sharp sword is a great test of control and precision. More...
	Paper cutting helps you focus on the angle of your sword as it reaches the target. A single sheet of light paper, like newspaper, is attached to a clothesline and the student does horizontal cuts. If done properly, the student can cut strips off the paper. If the angles aren’t correct, it will rip the paper, or even just pull the paper off the line.

	Bamboo Cutting
	For advanced students. Called Tameshigiri in Japanese. Target cutting practice with a live (sharp) sword. More...
	Target cutting practice with a live (sharp) sword. Traditionally done with bamboo or rolled up bamboo mats. We also use pool noodles which are cheaper and easier to find in Australia!