For August we are recognizing Beth Hammer as our Fighter of the Month. With a background in martial arts, Beth comes with a resume of 9 years experience in HEMA as well has taken on the instructor role in the art. Beth also has traveled across the country (one instance which I was happy to participate in at The Knights Hall) instructing and teaching the essentials of wrestling and its tie-in with the steel fighting sport. Beth is a great instructor and I highly recommend any opportunity one is capable of to further enhance their steel fighting skills in grappling.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING FOR ARMORED COMBAT?
5 years
DO YOU HAVE ANY BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE IN MARTIAL ARTS OR OTHER SPORTS?
9 years Escrima, HEMA
6 years as HEMA instructor
Ranked instructor in escrima under Renee Latosa
HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT ARMORED COMBAT AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO JOIN?
It nearly literally fell into my lap. My partner and I hosted a wrestling practice in our garage that a bunch of steel fighters started coming to and eventually things lined up for me to finally go to an event!
DO YOU REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT IN YOUR FIRST FIGHT? CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE?
Basically, I knew I was in the right place because buhurt combines a whole bunch of skills that I already had as a fighter and I love the chance to use them all in one game. Especially the teamwork part which is genuinely one of my favorite aspects of the sport.
WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED WEAPON? DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVORITE?
2 handed axe
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME POSITIVE ASPECTS THAT COME FROM THE SPORT?
I have always been of the belief that sports, especially team sports, are an essential part of the human experience and give us opportunities to learn things about ourselves in ways that we can’t really get anywhere else. You are constantly learning new skills, leveling up old skills, and having to maintain mental toughness and focus – but with a reasonable margin for error so you can make mistakes somewhat safely and have the opportunity to try again.
I think one of the coolest things is that because it’s this weird niche thing that has a place for all types of bodies and skill sets it has become a haven for people that have been edged out of conventional sports, often for their whole lives, and gives them a place where they can now get the same opportunity to learn and push themselves doing something awesome.
See also: why it’s essential that trans athletes are allowed to participate on the teams where they feel the most comfortable.
WHAT IS YOUR FIGHTING STYLE – IF YOU HAVE ONE?
I am a fairly utilitarian fighter, I’m pretty difficult to take down and often end up in more tanky roles, but am trying to shift to being more of a runner and embracing the fact that I just want to run around and kick people through fences.
DO YOU THINK FIGHTING CHANGES WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON? HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU PERSONALLY?
Fighting 100% changes you as a person, and if you actually take the time to reflect on it those changes can be incredibly profound. One of the recent lessons I’ve learned is that I need to put more intention into my mental preparation before every practice if I want to continue to make meaningful progress. I think one of the hardest parts of improving at any skill really is the transition from beginner to intermediate. When you’re still in that beginner zone or even early intermediate skill acquisition is easy, really all you gotta do is keep showing up and doing what your coach says and you’ll keep improving. But eventually, you get to a point where that curve starts flattening out and now the only way you will progress is if you put intention into every rep and every drill. You need to have a goal coming into practice and you should take some time at the end to self-evaluate and think about what you want to work on next time.
(Coaching note: primarily focus on the things you’re doing well and want to keep doing – when you’re thinking about how you want to improve do so by visualizing the right thing, don’t just focus on what you did wrong.)
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE FOR NEW PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE SPORT?
Focus on strength and endurance (weightlifting, sled drags, hill sprints) when you’re by yourself, and focus on wrestling and group takedowns and other team skills when you’re at practice.
It may be a controversial opinion, but I don’t like solo pell work, especially for beginners, I think it can reinforce bad mechanics and lead to repetitive stress injuries.
With context, knowledge, and skill the pell can be a useful tool, but I prefer shadow boxing for beginners because your body is providing more feedback and it’s gentler on your joints.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FOR THE FUTURE OF ARMORED COMBAT SPORTS?
Women’s 10v10
ANY FINAL WORDS YOU WANTED TO MENTION?
WAAAAGH
