Training with students of Professor Avril ~ Haitian Machete Fencing (January 2012)

[@haitianfencing]

In this method of training, one person "gives" the strikes, while the other person "takes" them (at least we stick to this formula when training beginners). This trains the "taker" to keep themselves constantly protected while trying to move to a position from which, as you observed, they have a solid, relatively safe opportunity to attack. You'll see, if you watch further in this video, that Professor Avril's other students and I take turns with these roles.

[@haitianfencing]

We engage with the flat of the machete or wooden sword because it's a training exercise. Professor Avril says, "The flat part is for your friends, the edge is for your enemies." Tire Machèt has a lot of traditions like this that seem to be there to prevent training from spilling over into real combat.

[@haitianfencing]

Unlike other stick-and-machete based martial arts like Kali or Silat, in Tire Machèt (at least as Professor Avril teaches it) the beginner focuses exclusively on techniques for blocking and moving the body "behind" the blade. The striking techniques come later, once one has mastered the tactics of defending the body, and emerge organically, almost accidentally, from within the framework of blocking, turning, and entering. Once the student has reached this stage, they are ready for free sparring.

[@MartyredxMaiden]

Sweet video! Greetings from a Haitian-American

[@locojazz5770]

Great sword control and body control! Beautiful martial art!

[@haitianfencing]

Thanks for your interest! Check out our website for a bit of history. (Can't post a link in KZbin comments, unfortunately, but see the link in the video description, then go to the page "About Haitian Fencing"...)

[@daxariusdebruin]

Beautifull!

[@francoiskesly2787]

Mwen bezwen kontak profesè sa eske nou ka fem trouver silvouplè

[@haitianfencing]

Dezole, Profesè Avril te mouri an 2014. Men nou toujou travay avèk pitit li yo.

[@MrOphachew]

How about some history of this Martial Art.

[@mrthraz]

drawing blades/sticks, cool to see again!

[@SirKickz]

Thanks for the explanation ***** that explains why the instructor doesn't appear to be paying any mind to his own defense.

[@yoneljean938]

Mw bezwen número tlfn ou wi

[@marcsenepaul328]

Sa bèl anpil wi la

[@marckesonsaintelus3214]

Bèl bagay

[@josephfrancois4564]

wow beautiful very beautiful

[@micheletlamour1448]

Stp kntk ou

[@haitianfencing]

Tcheke nou la: www.haitianfencing.org

[@micheletlamour1448]

Hola

[@ystelklans8769]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@micheletlamour1448]

Bnswar mw rnmn sa wi kibò ou ye la mnm