Foundation Skills

The sticks used for bataireacht are not of a standardised size, as there are various styles of bataireacht, using various kinds of sticks.

In this Irish Stick Fighting Faction, the foundation weapon first used , is a 3 foot walking stick , with or without a knob-end. Also padded training weapons are used while training, bambo for stick fencing and padded sticks for in close training

Irish Stick Fighting is also about swords and swordsmanship, because you cannot study one without the other

Techniques

The essence of Irish stick fighting is to give, but by no means to receive, but to be effective for increasing one's chances of survival and allowing an opponent minimal opportunity to counterattack

Irish stick-fighting styles were more methods of combat than strictly stylized and adhered to "martial arts" - but certain patterns of common styles did exist

Held with one or both hands the stick was used to deliver cuts or strikes to a variety of targets including the face, head, neck, clavicle, ribs, elbows, wrists, knees and the shins

The reality of the techniques, are that they are fast, quick and very brutal when used. As in any form of duelling, serious injury or death were always a risk. There is nothing romantic about combat. It is however, as a art form, richly deserving of study

Versatility

In stick fighting a series of feints, blocks, strikes, backhands, also different hand-grips are used

Both hands and both ends of the bata are used, Including punching, stick punches, kicking and grappling

This is a system of practical self-defence that any person who has knowledge of the sword arts can learn and apply easily

To adapt to whatever works best at that point in time

Keep your legs slightly bent

This will reduce the time it takes you to react to an opponents move, or to start your own attack

Some Things In Common With Other Europan Fighting Styles

As the prohibition on carrying swords became wide-spread in europe, people were still able to carry walking sticks, fencing masters would model and transfer the techniques of sabre fencing to the walking stick

The stick which replaced the sword, and become a weapon for personal protection. The use of the walking stick, two-hand stick, along with knife and boxing became more was wide- spread in europe

The two handed grip style has many things in common with many of the european long sword and quarter-staff fighting styles

The one handed grip style has many things in common with european smallsword, saber and rapier fighting styles