Stage Combat
Lesson 01- introduction & learning the
stage slap!
Monday 15 September 2025
Learning Outcome:
DO NOW
For each session on Stage combat: • Big Picture Tier 3 Vocabulary
• Students will develop a unique character using
• No Jewellery – hoop earring/ watches etc – they can damage and
a stimulus to inspire their ideas
cause serious injury. Stud earring can be worn. • Students will be able to explain 5 key
techniques used by the practitioner
• Empty pockets – no phones/ pens etc (take blazers off)
Stanislavski
• Students will be able to apply this
• All furniture and obstacles out of the way
knowledge to their performance
During each session:
• Students must work with someone they trust
Links to prior learning Misconceptions:
• Eye contact – If the students are not focused, an accident can happen
• Work slowly – moves should be practised at quarter speed until
both partners are comfortable
After each session:
• Students should not practise this outside of lesson without a trained
adult!
Performing Arts Department 2
Learning Objectives:
• To learn, and safely demonstrate ‘the slap’
stage combat move
• To know the rules of stage combat and be able
to implement these rules in order to create a
safe and sensible environment
Q: What is the difference
between stage fighting and
play fighting?
Why?
• There is nothing worse than seeing a
fight scene not done properly!
• Valuable skills to have when creating
a scene involving a fight
• GCSE
Stage Combat move no.1- The
Slap!
• Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=YYRqcTkirP8
How do you think this move/technique
was done?
• How do the actors make the move look
effective?
• What do you think the rules might be in
order to conduct this move safely?
The rules of safety…
1. Stretch and warm up
Let’s warm
up then!
2. ‘Fight’ with someone a
similar height
Find someone then!
3.Take off ties and jewellery
Do it then!
4. Always make sure your partner knows
exactly what is going on and when!
Communication!
5. Under no circumstances should any combat
moves be tried outside the classroom without
the supervision of the teacher or professional
6. Never eat, drink or chew in
stage combat lessons
7. The person being ‘attacked’
is always in control of the move
CONTROL
8. Always rehearse sensibly- failure to do so
will result in a severe sanction and the lesson
will stop immediately!
The ‘slap’
• Stand opposite your partner, off centre, arms
width apart
• Eye contact is crucial- look at your partner at
ALL TIMES
• The sound the punch makes is called the ‘nap’.
This is the most important part of the move.
• The ‘attacker’ raises hand and looks at the
cheek of the victim. You do not touch actually
touch their cheek. As the attacker makes the
move, the victim claps their hand (known as
the nap) and takes their top hand to cover the
cheek as if it hurts
• This MUST be rehearsed in SLOW MOTION until
instructed by me to move on to normal speed
Practise
• Teacher demo
• In pairs A & B
• A’s go first
• 1st in slow motion x3
• Normal speed x3
• Swap over
• Adding realsim- slow mo first including speech x2
• Normal speed x2
• Swap
• Spotlight
• Retaliation- back hander x3 slow mo
• Normal speed x3
• Swap over
• Spotlight
H/W
• Safety rules sheet
Plenary
• Students to sit in front of the screen, heads
down, eyes closed
• Keeping your eyes closed, thumbs up ‘I feel
confident in conducting the slap’
• Students to get their shoes, bags and blazers on.
• Line students up. After 3, repeat ‘I will not
practise this move outside of this lesson.’ On
your way out, tell me one of the safety rules.
Stage Combat
Lesson 02- recap and punch!
SHOES, BAGS, BLAZERS & TIES OFF,
HOMEWORK OUT AND SIT IN A CIRCLE
The ‘Punch’
• Stand opposite your partner, arms width apart
• Loosen ties
• Eye contact is crucial- look at your partner at ALL TIMES
• The sound the punch makes is called the ‘nap’. This is the most
important part of the move.
• The attacker makes the ‘nap’ by cupping their hand and hitting
their collar bone as they throw the punch. The ‘victim’ must react
by turning their head as if being punched.
• This MUST be rehearsed in SLOW MOTION until instructed by me
to move on to normal speed
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdltAmUgXNs
Stage Combat
Lesson 03- recapping punch, kick x2 &
hair pull!
Stage Combat
Lesson 04- Creating your own scene
with stage combat moves!
Assessment: create your own
combat scene…
In groups of 4/5, create your own scene incorporating at least 2 stage
combat moves you have learnt in lessons.
Your scene must be realistic and reflect violence in society. Examples
could be:
• A pub brawl
• Relationship/domestic violence
• Bullying
• Gang crime
• Or choose own issue
You are not creating a comedy! You will be assessed on technique and your
ability to act realistically
No longer than 5 minutes
Use other Drama techniques!
To summarise…
• You are creating a scene
• That reflects an issue of violence in society
• That is realistic
• Which includes at least 2 combat moves-
quality over quantity
• Includes other Drama techniques (grade3=
‘range’)
• Think about your Characterisation of the
person you are playing (body, face,
movement, voice)
Why am I not setting you
homework to rehearse?
Stage Combat
Lesson 05- Performing devised scenes!
To summarise…
• You are creating a scene
• That reflects an issue of violence in society
• That is realistic
• Which includes at least 2 combat moves-
quality over quantity
• Includes other Drama techniques (grade3=
‘range’)
• Think about your Characterisation of the
person you are playing (body, face,
movement, voice)
Assessment
To write and perform your own slapstick comedy,
which must:
• Include 3 stage combat moves
• Highlight a working class issue, thus aimed at a
working class audience
• Contain slapstick conventions
• Be performed with energy and control just like
slapstick actors
• Be filmed on a device and edited in black and
white on IMovie
Assessment
To write and perform your own slapstick comedy,
which must:
• Include 3 stage combat moves
• Highlight a working class issue, thus aimed at a
working class audience
• Contain slapstick conventions
• Be performed with energy and control just like
slapstick actors
• Be filmed on a device and edited in black and
white on IMovie
