Practices

Here are the write-ups of all of the melee practices I've hosted.  Click dates in the dropdown menu above or on the individual practice below for more information!

Oct. 22, 2022 Lochmere Practice March 16, 2024 ORP Practice Feb. 9, 2025 Indoor Stierbach Practice

April 8, 2023 Lochmere Practice May 19, 2024 Gilchrest Practice July 6, 2025 Ponte Alto Practice

Oct. 1, 2023 Ponte Alto Practice Sept. 28, 2024 Lochmere Practice Sept. 28, 2025 Gilchrest Practice

Oct, 28, 2023 Lochmere Practice Oct. 27, 2024 Ponte Alto Practice

Jan. 20, 2024 Indoor Stierbach Practice Nov. 10, 2024 Gilchrest Practice

What does it take to run a good melee practice?

1. Simple scenarios.  It's always easy to start out with some open field, single death warm-ups and then switch to simple resurrections.  Keep props simple, like ropes and cones (no moving hay bales here!).

2.  Keep things moving.  This means reading "the room" (aka the fighters) and knowing when to time breaks without losing fighter momentum.

3.  Make it easy.  An easy-to-drive to, accessible site with lots of parking and amenities (portos).  We rent a porto for under $200 and ask for donations to go towards that.  Everybody always chips in more than enough.

4. More fighting, less talking.  Talking is good after the scenario to go over what worked, what didn't, and help fighters learn strategy, but not for very long.  The best teaching method is more opportunities to correct tactics through fighting, not more blah-blahing!

5.  Have a couple of people on hand to serve as marshals.  Although for a small practice, one can get away with no marshals, for a practice this size, having 1 or 2 marshals to corral fighters and serve as time keepers for timed scenarios does help. 

6. Build camaraderie.  Afterwards, organize post-fighting food at a local restaurant.  This helps fighters get to know each other better.

7. Advertise!  Push out the practice and make start times, instructions, and information clear.  Find "new markets" to advertise to bring into the fold.  For this one, I created a "promo" video which you can find by clicking here.