Athletic Training Seminar on November 1–2
10. September 2025
Athletic Training-Seminar
Basic athletic ability is one of the key building blocks that can significantly improve your performance in sparring. In our regular classes, athletic training rarely takes place explicitly, since no partners are needed for it and the valuable time in the hall is usually reserved for technique and tactics. Tobias will explain which type of athletic training best supports historical fencing and will also address your individual questions.
More information and registration can be found at: https://eveeno.com/145502934
About the Trainer
Tobias has been fencing since 2023 and, as of 2025, serves as the athletic coach of the German men’s and women’s national team. He is a licensed trainer and studies Fitness Science at a University of Applied Sciences in Munich. With over five years of practical experience as a fitness and personal trainer, he brings extensive expertise to help fencers and coaches gain fresh impulses for their training.
As a competitive fencer, Tobias has been active across Germany since 2023. Thanks to his solid athletic foundation, he has already made it to the podium twice at ranking tournaments and has been invited as a substitute to take part in national squad training sessions.
REGISTRATION: https://eveeno.com/145502934
Equipment
Day 1:
Minimum requirements for the athletic training sessions are appropriate sportswear, a towel, and indoor shoes with non-marking white soles.
Day 2:
Minimum requirements for the sparring transfer sessions are mask, gorget, jacket, gloves (no Red Dragons), and a flexible fencing feder (15 kg flex). Ideally, you should have a complete and safe HEMA kit that meets DDHF standards, along with a moderate fitness level.
Catering
During the seminar you are responsible for your own food and drinks. Each day will be divided into two training blocks: 9:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00, leaving plenty of time for a proper lunch break.
Day 1
Introduction
- Definition of the key components of athletic training
- speed, endurance, strength, mobility
- Challenges and requirements of our sport
- No scientific consensus — adaptation for historical fencing?
- Needs analysis through self-assessment
- Key questions: athletic goals, injuries, personal wishes, etc.
- Training models: enhancing strengths, reducing weaknesses, holistic approach
- Special focus groups: children and women’s training
- Children: motivation, stages of development
- Women’s training: cycle phases and training focus
Warm-up and its functions
- RAMP model: Raise, Activate, Mobilize, Potentiate
Training Plan Design & Implementation
- Strength training – short program design, execution, evaluation
- Endurance training – short program design, execution, evaluation
- Speed training – short program design, execution, evaluation
- Mobility training – short program design, execution, evaluation
Training Periodization
- Weekly planning in combination with HEMA sessions, overtraining and its consequences
- Micro, Meso, and Macro cycles (day, month, year)
Day 2
Flash Complex
- Movement sequence and applications
- Exercise complex: sprint start
- From standing, lying, sprint stance (shin angle)
- Stopping movement
- Ballistic thrusts
- Application in sparring (judged)
Pulling vs. Snap Cuts Complex
- Movement sequence, areas of application, differences
- Exercise complex: snap cut (oberhau)
- Incorporating footwork (step lunge)
- Exercise complex: pulling cut (oberhau)
- Incorporating footwork (sliding steps)
- Application in sparring (judged)
Historical fencing is no longer a niche. According to a document from the Berliner Fechterbund , Twerchhau has now become the largest fencing club in Berlin. The Berliner Fechterbund is the governing body that organizes fencing at the state level in Berlin. This means that, due to its strong growth, Twerchhau is now larger than any other Olympic fencing club in the city.
Historisches Fechten ist keine Nische mehr. Wie wir einem Dokument des Berliner Fechterbundes entnehmen konnten, ist Twerchhau inzwischen der größte Fechtverein Berlins. Der Berliner Fechterbund ist der Sportfachverband, der den Fechtsport auf Landesebene in Berlin organisiert. Das bedeutet, dass Twerchhau durch sein starkes Wachstum nun größer ist als jeder andere olympische Fechtverein in der Stadt.
The Berlin HEMA Cup 2026 is behind us and it has set new standards. With nearly 200 participants, around 80 volunteers and over 30 referees, it was the largest HEMA tournament ever held in Germany. Fencers from a total of 28 nations traveled to Berlin to compete in an intense international competition.
Der Berlin HEMA Cup 2026 liegt hinter uns: und hat Maßstäbe gesetzt. Mit knapp 200 Teilnehmern, rund 80 Volunteers und über 30 Kampfrichtern war er das größte HEMA-Turnier, das jemals in Deutschland ausgerichtet wurde. Fechterinnen und Fechter aus insgesamt 28 Nationen reisten nach Berlin, um sich in einem intensiven, internationalen Wettkampf zu messen.
This is a two-hour beginner course in intuitive archery. Longbows and recurve bows made primarily from natural materials, such as wood, are used, without technical aids like sights, stabilizers, or release aids. In intuitive archery, unlike in sport archery, the number of scoring rings plays a minor role. Instead, the focus is on mental practice. You could say that one shoots from within, guided by instinct. This course offers a first impression of this approach and focuses on the following points: What does intuitive archery mean? Which bows are used? Stance and basic posture of the archer The individual phases of the shooting process in a flowing motion Body awareness, body tension, inner balance Equipment: Required: None; bows and arrows are provided. Recommended: If available, a close-fitting arm guard and thin gloves. Personal items: Since the course takes place outdoors, weatherproof and warm clothing is advisable. Sleeves should be as close-fitting as possible. We will meet at 10 a.m. on the grounds of the BLO-Studios at the shooting range, Kaskelstraße 55, 10317 Berlin. This is an old railway area located right next to the Nöldnerplatz S-Bahn station. After passing through the large green gate, continue straight ahead towards the wooded area and dry meadow. Registration via: https://eveeno.com/148825073
Dies ist ein zwei-stündiger Einsteigerkurs für das Intuitive Bogenschießen. Hierbei werden Langbogen und Recurvebogen aus überwiegend natürlichen Materialien, wie z.B. Holz und ohne technische Hilfsmittel wie Visiere, Stabilisatoren und Auslösehilfen verwendet. Beim intuitiven Bogenschießen spielt – anders als beim Sportschießen – die Anzahl der Trefferringe eine untergeordnete Rolle, vielmehr liegt der Schwerpunkt auf der geistigen Übung. Man schießt sozusagen aus dem Inneren, aus dem Bauch heraus. In diesem Kurs wird ein erster Eindruck hiervon vermittelt, dabei wird sich auf folgende Punkte konzentriert: Was bedeutet Intutives Bogenschießen? Welche Bögen werden verwendet? Stand und Grundhaltung des Schützen Die einzelnen Phasen des Schußablaufs in fließender Bewegung Körperwahrnehmung, Körperspannung, innere Mitte Ausrüstung: Pflicht: Keine; Bögen und Pfeile werden gestellt. Empfohlen: Falls vorhanden: eng anliegender Unterarmschutz, dünne Handschuhe. Persönliches: Da der Kurs draußen stattfindet ist wetterfeste, warme Kleidung ratsam. Diese sollte an den Armen so gut es geht eng anliegen. Wir treffen uns um 10 Uhr auf dem Gelände der BLO-Ateliers auf dem Schießplatz, Kaskelstraße 55, 10317 Berlin. Das ist ein altes Bahngelände direkt neben dem S-Bahnhof Nöldnerplatz. Nach dem grünen großen Tor geht es geradezu in Richtung Waldstück und Trockenwiese. Anmeldung über: https://eveeno.com/148825073
Der YouTube-Kanal The Prince in the Forest veröffentlicht regelmäßig Video-Analysen von Turniergefechten aus der Sport- und HEMA-Szene. Nun hat er bereits zwei unserer Athleten unter die Lupe genommen - Grund genug für uns, einmal Danke zu sagen und die Videos hier zu teilen. Die Analysen geben einen spannenden Einblick in die taktischen Abläufe eines Säbelgefechts und zeigen eindrucksvoll, dass HEMA weit mehr ist als bloßes „Knüppeln“. Vielen Dank an The Prince in the Forest - wir empfehlen dir, auch die anderen Videos auf seinem Kanal anzusehen.
The 24th Berlin Buckler Bouts will take place on November 22–23, 2025. All those interested in sword and buckler fencing are welcome to join, regardless of experience level. Schedule The weekend will include intensive training, partner exercises, and opportunities for exchange. Registration https://www.patreon.com/posts/join-24th-berlin-138024459?l=it Accommodation As accommodation in Berlin can fill up quickly, we recommend booking early. We look forward to an exciting weekend with you! Durch die Zusammenarbeit mit Roland Warzecha findet ihr Infos und die Anmeldung per Email hier: https://www.patreon.com/posts/join-24th-berlin-138024459?l=it
Am 22. und 23. November 2025 finden die 24. Berlin Buckler Bouts statt. Eingeladen sind alle Interessierten am Schwert- und Bucklerfechten, unabhängig von Erfahrungsstand. Ablauf Das Wochenende bietet intensives Training, Partnerübungen und die Möglichkeit zum gemeinsamen Austausch. Anmeldung https://www.patreon.com/posts/join-24th-berlin-138024459?l=it Unterkunft Da Unterkünfte in Berlin schnell ausgebucht sein können, empfiehlt sich eine frühzeitige Buchung. Wir freuen uns auf ein spannendes Wochenende mit euch! Durch die Zusammenarbeit mit Roland Warzecha findet ihr Infos und die Anmeldung per Email hier: https://www.patreon.com/posts/join-24th-berlin-138024459?l=it
Spear and shield were the most commonly used weapon combination on the battlefield from antiquity through the High Middle Ages. The first day of the weekend will be a classic full-day workshop led by Martin Höppner of Schildwache Potsdam. On the second day, we will (unfortunately without Martin) continue with partner exercises together, then move on to sparring games before dedicating the final hours mainly to free sparring and exchange. More information and registration can be found here: https://eveeno.com/speerundschild Equipment: Required: fencing mask, gorget, padded gloves, groin protection (for men) Recommended: fencing jacket, plastron, reinforced gloves, arm guards, knee/elbow protection. Spear simulators and shields needed for the seminar will be provided. However, if you own your own, we would appreciate it if you could bring them along (this saves us quite a bit of work). If this is the case, please indicate it when registering so we know how many we need to provide for the weekend.