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.

PrepareStrikeFollow 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. B’s collar and lifts him up.

Ms. P slaps Mr. B. with RIGHT hand. Mr. Bexecutes 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 person’s 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 attacker’s 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 victim’s back to the audience.

Ways to make a slap knap:

  • Slap your own hand.
  • Slap victim’s hand.
  • Victim claps.
  • Attacker or victim slaps side of thigh.

Punches – always make eye contact first!

  • Roundhouse punch: goes across the victim’s body. Put your left hand on the victim’s shoulder to get your distance. Back up, keeping left hand out. Swing right fist across, slapping left hand for the knap. Works best with victim’s 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 person’s 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 victim’s shoulder and keep it there. Punch with upstage hand towards the stomach, but pull punch back. Can be done in almost any position.