Overview of the AEMMA Youth Training Program (AYTP)

About AEMMA

"I'm a 'youth', so why should I be bothered in learning historical European martial arts"

Martial arts is not the sole domain of the Eastern nor Asian cultures. When people speak about martial arts, they think in terms of karate, kung fu, kendo, and a host of others. However, where ever there was war, battles and fighting, martial arts techniques were developed to enhance the skill and efficiency of the warriors. Western/European cultures also developed sophisticated fighting techniques both with and without weapons. Learning these skills will enable one to develop advanced self-defense skills such as being able to defend yourself against knife attacks, or even defend against being struck with a baseball bat! The techniques developed by the historical masters worked very well 500 years ago as they do today. It will also give you an appreciation of medieval history from a martial perspective.

"OK, I'm not sure about the history thing but, what sorts of things would I learn"

The core training program, called "armizare" at AEMMA was designed and developed by David M. Cvet and Brian McIlmoyle, both recognized as Acknowledged Instructors by the International Masters at Arms Federation or IMAF (an international organization of professional teachers of historical and classical fencing). The adult core training program is comprised of three components and could take years to master. In the adult core training program, the first component being grappling (a form of wrestling) or abrazare as it was called in historical Italian. This component develops your foundational skills with respect to judgment, distance, timing and placement. These skills are leveraged in the other training components. Grappling techniques learned include the abilities to take-down your opponent, throws, break-aways, locks, and many other techniques that will enable you to become proficient at self-defense, regardless of the size or strength of your opponent.

The second component of the core program is comprised of knife/dagger or daga in historical Italian. You would learn how to defend yourself against knife attacks, to be able to re-direct the incoming attack, possibly disarm the offending attacker and injure the attacker with his/her own knife. The same techniques can be applied to any knife-like object making you a very difficult "target" for any would-be attacker.

The third component of the core program involves the arming sword or spada. It is a single-handed sword, typically around 32" to 36" in length and weighing in at around 2.5 - 3 lbs. The swords that you would train with are initially made out of wood called "wasters". In the adult training, the student would progress to training with steel swords that are blunted, hence the name "blunts".

The youth training program entails some similar components, however, focused on arming sword, but obviously much more abbreviated for a 6 week duration. In the end, you would learn some defensive and offensive techniques that were extremely effective 500 years ago and which are as effective in today's world. These skills are an important makeup of all individuals, both for boys and girls which will enhance your self-esteem, discipline and self-confidence in dealing with any stressful situation be it a real nasty science project deadline, buried with way too much homework or a final exam. For more detailed information on the detailed adult training program at AEMMA click here.

"Cool! So what's involved in the training classes"

As a training student in the youth program, your focus will predominantly be the arming sword, however, you may learn a few elements of the other components. Details of each class follow below:

"This is great! What do I need to do to get this training"

There is actually very little to do to get into this training program. Here's what you need to do:

1. Email AEMMA by clicking for class availability (there must be a minimum of 6 students registered before it begins - round up your friends!).
2. Classes will be scheduled once weekly, late afternoons either on Mondays or Wednesdays @ 4:30 - 5:30pm depending upon the majority of preferences received at registration.
3. If there is a spot for you, register by confirming your attendance by email and send a cheque or money order for $140 made out to AEMMA to:
   AEMMA
   822-18 Concorde Place
   Toronto, ON M3C 3T9
   or call/vmail at 416.726.8314
4. Along with your confirmation by email or phone, please indicate the appropriate T-shirt size (S,M,L,XL).

"Anything else I need to know"

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions or FAQs about the AEMMA Youth Training Program (AYTP):

1. What do I need to bring (training gear)?
   All you need to bring or wear is a pair of running shoes, track pants and t-shirt. It is recommended that you also have a pair of leather gloves - like garden gloves to protect your hands against callouses when working with the weapons. Class registration fee includes an official AEMMA recruit training T-shirt.
   
   
2. Can I buy training weapons for myself before or during the training program?
   Yes indeed. If you wish to purchase a training arming sword, we may have a supply on hand, otherwise, arming sword orders can be made to our supplier, , who is also a student of AEMMA by making your request at the website Swordcrafts. The pricing for such training weapons are approximately $130 for the basic arming sword. For more info on these training weapons, click here. If you wish to have your own arming sword before starting your training, please indicate that on your confirmation email/vmail.
   
   
3. What would my parent(s) do for the hour I train?
   There is ample seating in the salle d'armes (training space) for parents to sit and observe, read, sleep. The Academy is above a Master Mechanic which is a reputable car repair and maintenance shop. The parent(s) can have their car serviced while watching the training. There is seating at the training space, and stuff to make coffee.
   
   
4. Should I bring my own bottled water - I get really dry during gym class?
   The Academy has a water cooler on the training floor that contains filtered water. It is recommended that you bring your own water bottle or canteen which can be filled at the water cooler. It is our attempt to be environmentally friendly by not generating excess garbage with those plastic water bottles. We ask that you toss in a loonie for the water fund for each practice that you draw water to fill your canteen.
   
   
5. How do I get there? Is there parking for my parent's car?
   There's ample metered parking on Concord (all day) and Dupont (after 6pm) (hey, this is Toronto!!). For directions on getting to the Academy by TTC or by car, click here.

"Can me and my friends visit  OK, maybe me and my parents instead"

We invite you to visit to observe one of our training sessions with no obligations. Most of our students that now train regularily had first visited to observe a training session and later signed up for regular training. In Toronto, the training sessions open for visitation are the recruit training sessions which are scheduled at Sunday's between 10:00am - noon, Monday's between 6:30pm - 8:30pm and Wednesday's between 8:30pm - 10:30pm. Click here for more details on the training schedule. If you wish to visit us, please notify us by indicating the day you plan on visiting by filling out the visit request form by clicking here.