Throughout history man has changed in many various ways. And even as the forms of costume, dance and ettiquette have changed, so have the weapons and styles of fighting. Roy Cox, his wife Katherine, and other combat-oriented entertainers have banded together to form the American Academy of Stage and Screen Combat Choreographers. The goal of the A.A.S.S.C.C. is to promote the training of individuals in the styles of classical period fighting using realistic techniques. The training provided by the A.A.S.S.C.C. will let you grow as an actor by letting you experience these styles of fighting for yourself, enabling you to perform fight sequences safely and realistically using hand-to-hand or weapon techniques. To this end Roy and Kate have established a training facility at their 66 acre farm in the hills of Westmoreland, Tennesse.

In 2006, the A.A.S.S.C.C. and the Free Lancers will sponsor 2 14-day seminars in jousting and stage combat techniques with the opportunity for students to receive certification at different levels in a wide range of weapon and empty hand styles.

Want to learn to Joust?
1st Session: March 23-April 5, 2008
2nd Session: Dates Pending
Click here to email Roy Cox for more information
NOTE: Joust Training Sessions are now limited to 8 students at a time on a first-come first-served basis.


Each 12-hour training day begins with conditioning, because if the body is not ready to perform a certain task, then it is not safe. Most of the exercises used come from Western fencing and Gung-Fu. They will improve your speed, distance, timing, balance, flexibility, reflexes, posture and endurance. From this foundation of physical coordination we then build an arsenal of knowledge for the benefit of your future productions. The jousting seminar is broken into two weeks of training. The first week covers training in basic equestrian skills needed to ride safely with weapons in hand and choreographed fighting with the sword. The second week intensifies this training with the addition of armour, choreographed fighting with the great sword and full contact jousting. At the end of each week's training period you have the opportunity to test for certification in various mounted and dismounted techniques. Students do not have to attend both weeks at the same session but must have the first week of training before attending the second.