POLEARMS
杆武器

Polearms are taught at Imperial Combat Arts as part of an advanced weapon study. These traditional pole weapons have been used the world about for ancient and medieval warfare, offering a significant reach advantage over shorter weapons, and versus cavalry.

Being proficient in long weapons is an important part of weapon study as even many everyday objects can be used as improvised Polearms. These weapons can still dominate over the short range weapons of today.

SPEARS
枪​

CH'IANG | QIANG
The spear is a powerful weapon know to the Chinese as "The King of All Weapons". There are several types of Spears trained at Imperial Combat Arts that vary in design and function. These traditional Chinese spears include the; Shuttle Spear, Raven Spear, Hook Spear, Snake Spear, and several more. The Spear is one of mankind's oldest weapons and is still the most common of all Pole Weapon. Enter Page> Spear

HALBERDS
戟​

CHI | JI
Chinese Halberds were used in war for well over 3000 years and have taken several different forms. These weapons combine either an Axe head, or Dagger Axe, with a spear point allowing for thrusting, chopping, and hooking in battle. These weapons have reverse crescent blades signature to many Chinese weapons. These blades curve the opposite way of most Axes allowing for lighter weight. Enter Page> Halberds

GLAIVES
杖刀​​

CHUANG |ZHANG DAO
Glaives are long and powerful pole-arm weapons that are essentially single-edged swords on a long staff. Also known as sword-staves these weapons have been used the world about for ancient and medieval warfare. The Glaive or Fauchard is a European term for these weapons though there are several types of Chinese Glaives including the Assault Sword and the Reclining Moon Blade. Enter Page> Glaives

POLEAXE
长柯斧​​​

CH'ANG K'EI FU
Pole Axes, also commonly refereed to as Halberds are traditional weapons in China and date back to the Bronze Age. There are several styles and types of Chinese pole-axes. The heaviest of these Axes (depicted above) is called The Great Axe, Split Mountain Axe, or Xuanhua Axe, and is a full metal, Halberd length Axe, that is double-edged plus a spear tip. Enter Page> Axe Training

DAGGER AXE
戈

KE | GE
​These Chinese weapons of war date back to the Stone Age and were the first weapons that were made only for war, unlike the bow and spear which were also for hunting. This truly ancient weapon predates even the Chariot and would later include spear points as they evolved into the Chi, or Chinese Halberd. The Dagger Axe has a dagger shaped blade with some blades also featuring a curve like a scythe. 

LONG FLAILS
​长连枷

CHANG LIEN CHIA | CHANG LIAN JIA
Flails as weapons evolved from threshing tools used to harvest grain. These weapons have the advantage of striking around shields and enemy weapons with powerful centripetal force. Long handled flails taught at Imperial Combat Arts have several different ends such as basic wooden clubs, metal balls, spiked clubs, and even bladed clubs. These types of weapons were used throughout the world in warfare.

MILITARY FORKS
​武叉

WU CH'A
Military Forks are weapons that primarily came from the hunting forks used to kill Tiger and Bear in China.  Unlike basic pitch-forks that have only sharp points, a Military Fork, such as the Fork Axe depicted above, has two flat curved blades that are double edged plus a double edged point in the center. The curved shape of the outer blades can be used like a double headed Axe. This weapon combines The Axe, Fork, Spear, and Glaive into one weapon. Enter Page> Military Forks

SPADES & SHOVELS
​锨

HSIEN | XIAN
From the ancient empires of the world to all modern military forces, the Shovel has been one of the most important tools of a soldier. Used primarily to build fortifications, the Shovel has long been favored for an Improvised Weapon. Modern military shovels have many uses and are essentially a Swiss army knife of tools. The head can be folded over to use as a short Combat Axe, half folded for a pick, and also usually include a serrated saw edge, and measuring ruler.

STAVES
棍棒​

KUN PANG | GUN BANG
​The basic staff is the first polearm trained at Imperial Combat Arts, as it teaches the art of fighting with the shaft of all polearms when necessary. This study is important in close quarters, and vs. multiple foes. The Staves at Imperial Combat Arts are made of solid Red Oak and designed for combat, not like the light flimsy staves in form competitions. The staff is known to the Chinese as "The Grandfather of all Weapons". 

pikes
长矛​

CHANG CH'IANG | CHANG QIANG
Pikes are long spears that can measure from 10 feet up to 25 ft. or more. These exceptionally long Spears were used in China as far back as the Qin Era to fight cavalry units. The very long length of some of these weapons makes them quite rare and impractical in modern times. Therefore, Pike training is taught as a short sub-study of traditional Spear Fighting. Pikes were generally used in large formations of men.

TRAINING POLEARMS

BENEFITS OF POLEARM TRAINING

Polearm training strengthens the body for combat in a way that empty hand training and weightlifting cannot by using weight in a dynamic and combative way. Polearms trained at Imperial Combat Arts can vary in weight of 8lbs up to as much as 60lbs for large an powerful people. It is not uncommon for people today to doubt if weapons of such weight can be used in combat. In reality warriors of great strength have used tremendous weapons that most average men could not. Still today there are men who demonstrate the use of bows with 185lb draw weight, and other feats of great weapon strength.

POLEARM DRILLS

Drills are an important part of training long pole weapons. These drills teach primary grips, stances, maneuvers, cuts, chops, slashes, blocks, parries, and thrusts, and build these important movements into the body as a second nature reflex. Weapon drills are done in the air, vs partners, dummies, and all types of specialized equipment. The intricate artwork painted on the floor of the school at Imperial Combat Arts is designed for students to drill attacks and defenses against multiple opponents in all 8 directions. 

POLEARM FORMS

Polearm forms are one of the primary ways Masters pass on the ancient knowledge of pole weapons to the next generation of Warriors. These challenging forms teach dynamic flow, maneuvers, weapon handling, and numerous proven and effective techniques. Every movement and technique in the weapon forms at Imperial Combat Arts relate directly to combat, and are trained dynamically in sets, and matching. Forms are a way to practice your techniques routinely, and turn them to muscle memory, as needed for battle.

POLEARM SETS

Dynamic sets allow students to learn effective techniques and weapon applications that could never be used in sparring. Even with full pads a practice weapons can cause serious injury or death, therefore mastering weapons requires a skilled and dedicated partner with focus and control. This repetitive partner interaction is one of the ways proven techniques are taught. At Imperial Combat Arts weapon sets are done vs multiple opponents, with realistic training weapons, as well as with padded weapons.

POLEARM TARGETS

Throughout history target practice has been a crucial part of weapon development, as it still is today. In all parts of the world Straw Men, and Wooden Pell's of various types, have been the primary targets used to practice attacks and maneuvers. Imperial Combat Arts indoor/outdoor school has a full array of traditional and modern training dummies, accuracy rings, cutting posts, and dynamically moving targets designed specifically for melee weapon training, as well as ranged targets for thrown bladed weapons.

POLEARM MATCHING

Aggressive matching with training weapons is an important part of preparing for the chaos and fray of battle. This matching is also done in unusual and compromised ways, such as blindfolded, or on beams and posts. Most all matching done at our school, whether armed or unarmed, is done versus multiple opponents. These intense matching sessions are designed to be painful, yet safe, and push practitioners ever forward in skill. Aggressive pole-arm matching can only be done safely with padded weapons and armor.

POLEARM VS OTHER WEAPONS

Aside from Polearm vs Polearm, there are numerous traditional sets to teach pole weapons interaction with other weapons. Some of these pairings are legendary such as Polearm vs Sword. Additionally learning how to use long weapons is an important part of melee weapon mastery. These important concepts and lessons transfer directly to empty hand tactics, such as fighting opponents with superior reach. 

SURVIVAL & HUNTING

Primitive spears are one of the most important survival tools that can be used for fishing, hunting, and fending off large aggressive animals. Imperial Combat Arts hunting group practices the ancient roots of our arts by spear hunting boar and other animals as permitted. Spear fishing is also a challenging way to test our spear thrusting and throwing abilities. Fishing in Colorado is a good source of protein and helps fight invasive species in our waterways. In addition to spear hunting the group also hunts with firearms and traditional archery.