Martial Arts DEMO - American Eagle Cane Style

On Thursday, August 3, 2023, Headmaster Stalloch and Grandmaster Crandall led four American Eagle Cane Students to perform in a public martial arts demonstration at the Copper City Community Center on East Locust Street in Rome, NY.

The event was organized by Barb Belmont on behalf of the Executive Director, Susan Streeter.

More than 20 senior citizens were in attendance for the performance, many with canes of their own. The demonstration started with an introduction by Headmaster Eric Stalloch (who is the head of the American Eagle Cane Style) before he turned it over to his instructor, Grandmaster Clifford C. Crandall, Jr. (who is the head and founder of the American Martial Arts Institute). Grandmaster Crandall commented on how important it is to remain active as we age, not only for our own health and mental well-being, but also to set an example for the younger generation as role models. After a brief presentation to the crowd, Grandmaster Crandall turned the presentation back over to Headmaster Stalloch who led the students through a performance.

The physical demonstration began with a mock class - with the students demonstrating punches, kicks, basic forms (blocks and strikes), guard hand techniques (blocks without the use of the cane), striking targets, and the kata Reflection 1 as a group. Following the group performance, the students (ranging in age from their mid-forties to 70s) demonstrated individual katas including Basic Kata 1, Reflection four, Natural Walk, and Anvil. Assisting with the semiar was cane instructor Maria Quintal, who demonstrated the bo-cane (a walking staff with a crook end similar to a sheppard's crook). The kata performed is the American Eagle Cane Style kata Briar Patch.

After showing off the versatility and diversity of the cane, the students demonstrated a variety of self-defense techniques. These are standardized practice exercises (called CTs) to build self defense skills against a variety of scenarios including punches, kicks, knife or stick attacks, grabs, and more. The American Eagle Cane Style has 75 CTs that are learned up to 1st Degree Black Belt, with additional self defense techniques and concepts learned at the black belt ranks. The CTs are documented in the American Eagle Cane Style Textbook and forthcoming style DVD.

The seminar concluded with a demonstration of the power of the cane as applied to self defense techniques through board breaking.

The students did a wonderful job representing the style and presenting the cane as a tool for personal development, health, and safety. Time was taken following the demonstration to answer questions.