Stage Combat

The first rule of stage combat: NOBODY GETS HURT!

EYE CONTACT: This is a MUST! This is used as a visual cue for each
partner to signify that both actors are ready to proceed with the next
step of the fight. Eye contact must begin each move!

The victim is always in control!

Knap- The sound of the Hit that is produced either by the attacker, victim
or 3rd party.

PrepareStrikeFollow Through/Reaction: This is the 1-2-3 of each

stage combat technique.
Prepare: This is the Eye Contact before a strike. This is also includes
the wind up of a punch, slap or kick.
Strike: The actual execution of the technique. This is where the Knap
happens if one is required.
Follow Through: The continuation of the Strike.
Reaction: This is what the victim acts out after being struck by the
attacker.

Combat Map: A written account of each step of the fight.

Ms. Potter two-hand shoves Mr. Buswell.

Mr. B does a backward fall.
Ms. P grabs Mr. Bs collar and lifts him up.
Ms. P slaps Mr. B. with RIGHT hand. Mr. B executes the knap by slapping
upstage thigh.
Mr. B roundhouse punches Ms. P. with LEFT hand. Mr. B executes knap by
slapping hand.

Rehearsal Process:
Step by Step- Actors talk about each part of the fight and practice
Writing the combat map would take place here.
Walk Through- Actors walk and talk through the fight
Quarter Speed- Actors run through the fight very slowly
Half Speed- Actors run through the fight half the speed of their goal
Full Speed- The correct speed and execution of the staged fight
Shoulder Shoves the victim is in control!
Each person starts with the right foot forward.
Both lean in, with each persons head tilting to the left (to avoid a head-butt).
Victim hunches shoulders in.
Victim steps back with right foot and throws shoulders back.

Falls meat, not bones - land on your butt. Do not use your knees or hands
to break the fall.
Backwards fall
Side fall
Forward fall

Hair and ear pulls the victim is always in control! Victim should place at
least one hand over the attackers hand.

Head slam the victim is always in control!

Victim makes knap by slapping the wall or floor with hands, then jerking
head back.

Slaps work best with the victims back to the audience.

Ways to make a slap knap:
Slap your own hand.
Slap victims hand.
Victim claps.
Attacker or victim slaps side of thigh.

Punches always make eye contact first!

Roundhouse punch: goes across the victims body. Put your left hand
on the victims shoulder to get your distance. Back up, keeping left
hand out. Swing right fist across, slapping left hand for the knap.
Works best with victims back to the audience.
Jab: punching straight out at a target to the side of the head. Also
called a parrot punch, you are punching at the parrot on the persons
shoulder. Punch with your upstage hand. Works best with actors
showing their profile to the audience.
Uppercut: also done to the side. Punch with your upstage hand.
Works best with actors showing their profile to the audience.
Stomach Punch: put left hand on the victims shoulder and keep it
there. Punch with upstage hand towards the stomach, but pull punch
back. Can be done in almost any position.