Rince an Bhata Uisce Bheatha Style Overview . Glen Doyle Current generation of Rince an Bhata Uisce Bheatha fighters Style Doyle Clan Irish Stick Fighting Style Origin A Doyle Family in Western Ireland circa early 1800's Weapon A three foot stick, called a bata or a shillelagh. Typically made from blackthorn and designed to look like a walking stick. Main Objective To move in on the opponent causing as much damage as possible. Characteristics Two-handed grip style meaning that both hands are on the bata ALMOST all of the time. Shares many similarities with boxing. The originator of the style was a boxer who was also well-versed in one-handed grip Irish stick fighting. Versatility. Both hands and both ends of the bata are used. Effective techniques for in-close, short-range distances as well as for longer-range distances. Emphasis on short-range distances. Two-handed grip allows the bata to be used effectively at closer range so most of the techniques are designed for use within short range of the opponent unlike most stick fighting styles which are designed for longer-range distances. Because of the emphasis on short-range techniques, speed is essential for advancing and then once inside, strength is more important. Effective against any stick-fighting style. Techniques Stick Punches/Stick Jabs: These can be either long-range or short-range and can be executed from either hand. The long-range variety is performed by snapping the bata outwards with one hand. (One of the few times where one of the hands is away from the bata.) The short-range variety is performed by keeping the bata in both hands and using the ends of the bata as extensions of the fists. Blocks: Accomplished either by using long-range stick punches or by maneuvering the bata while maintaining the two-handed grip. Disarms: Typically attempted after first getting the opponent off guard. Positioning the bata in particular ways to pry the opponent's weapon out of his hands. Sometimes aided by the knob-end of the bata in bottle opener fashion. Combinations: Set of sequence moves. The stick fighter practices these combinations over and over until they become second nature. Bout Description Just as in a boxing match, a typical Rince an Bhata Uisce Bheatha match starts with long range stick punches, jabs, and blocks as the two opponents size each other up. Eventually one opponent moves in on the other and a shift is made to short-range techniques (all with two-handed grip) as each opponent attempts to cause as much damage as possible. The Eight Wises, passed on to every student of Rince an Bhata Uisce Bheatha, sum up the strategy quite well. .   Back to Rince an Bhata Uisce Bheatha home Photos: Copyright © 2001 Kimberley Stickel Web site: Copyright © 2002 Lisa T