Singlestick

Singlestick – English Weapon-Based Martial Arts

Singlestick is an ancient English martial arts. Students use a wooden rod with basket hilt in order to practice sword fighting techniques. This weapon-based martial arts was originally designed to teach cutlass fighting to British navy sailors.

Singlesticks are roughly 30-36 inches in length and are traditionally made from ash wood (although hickory and oak is sometimes used). The basket hilt is made from wicker, reed or leather. For protection during training and tournaments, singlestick students must wear items such as “three-weapon” fencing masks, three-weapon jackets, etc.

This wooden sword-based martial arts is often practiced by HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) societies and is slowly gaining recognition outside of Europe.

Singlestick Tournament (with Rules)

Singlestick Fencing

Reference Sources

  1. Association for Historical Fencing, http://associationforhistoricalfencing.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf/rules-singlestick.pdf