Note, that without a fencing mask on, neither fighter—and these guys are highly skilled, the older, big man being Eric Knaus, "Top Dog" of the clan—is willing to fight in mid range, the range at which much of FMI stick feeder drills occur. They stay in long range with the big man stalking for close range. This is the same pattern that we in Modern Agonistics discovered in fighting with oak, ash and waxwood with fencing masks.
At 1:24 Erik pulls a backhand to the face which he had zeroed in:
1. Was he being nice [especially since this guy probably paid him for the weekend]?
2. Was he unwilling to risk a trade, receiving a counter in open posture?
3. Did his shoulder or elbow catch, preventing him from whistling home with the lateral back hand which had KO'd men in masks back in the day?
I'm betting combination of all three.
In FMA drills you see mostly mid range, then long and short, whereas in a fight without head gear you see this desire to avoid mid range.
In machete fighting this narrowed even more, with no one willing to rush into close range from long range when the opponent could do a stop-stab with a steel weapon.
Note the prowling footwork and level changing of the big man and the rooted, warding guard of the small man, with legs wide-braced.
Twerps, Goons and Meatshields: The Basics of Full Contact Stick-Fighting
link › jameslafond.blogspot.com
One thing I notice about the Fairbairn/Sykes/Styers system is that it seems to be close-in, two-handed with full body weight in the strokes and use of the short end of the baton. I'm assuming it's applicable only if the opponent is without a stick.
youtube.com/watch?v=WWwgwg5DCxw
This is good in close against the unarmed for quick dispatch and maximum weapon retention and seems to me good for law enforcement in close circumstances.
Marc Denny and Eric Knaus had an early fight with some of this action and it was vicious.
What amazed me with a lot of these guys is how fluid and how easy they move these big sticks. I still feel really slow and cumbersome with a 28in heavy stick.
Train with the T-Ball bat. It takes about 5 years to develop the tendon strength required. I over did it in the end and got injured.
We will work on this, but don't hurry it up.
Also keep in mind that Eric has got 30 years-plus in with the stick.
Thanks for confirming that. Here's a good clip on poor baton retention.
youtube.com/watch?v=6B22t-OmErA