Ακαδημία Ακριτών - Akritai Academy

04/06/2023

There has been a lot of interest in the Florida🇺🇸-based Παγκράτιον team initiated 2022 at the behest of Diaspora Youth🇺🇸🇬🇷; particularly university age. The diagram below summarizes my current approach in the context of a school of thought I have classifed since around 2002 as the Akritai Academy (Ακαδημία Ακριτών). That being said, I consider all previous volunteer efforts/programs "dead".
It is no secret that my teachers in the early 90's were Greek Americans🇺🇸🇬🇷 in New England🇺🇸 with the focus on combatives & secondarily a "combat sport approach". This is retained today but w/ some "lessons learned along the way" to streamline skill acquisition curve.
My current volunteer track in this youth oriented🇺🇸🇬🇷 effort will focus SOLELY in greater Orlando🇺🇸 and Tampa Bay🇺🇸; the latter ONLY university students & the former 16 yrs +. I estimate the Παγκράτιον Team will be prepared for full contact competition 2024 in the USA🇺🇸.
Secondarily, I will be more vocal that I would like to es**rt the team to Hellas (Greece)🇬🇷 for a full contact Παγκράτιον competition 2024/2025 assuming this can be facilitated as a Panhellenic event (Diaspora & Hellas) so that they can bond w/ their global ethnic community in a unique way; via martial ethos & cultural activity that would honor their ancestors AND their modern community together.
Note that Hellenic Combatives🇺🇸🇬🇷 is a term I have been using since early 2000's internchangeably with Hellenic martial art and in addition to Παγκράτιον. non-Greek American 🇺🇸students recall their use, as well as the school name, or rather "school of thought", of Akritai Academy. The diagram explains the relationships more precisely.
It should also be noted that 2 yrs ago, as a result of past successes in the USA🇺🇸, I was asked by parties in Hellas🇬🇷, while I was in-country🇬🇷, to serve as President/Director of a Greece-based martial arts organization. I was humbled, offered thanks for the honor and responded with a "do you think I'm crazy?". That being said, I stated I would support ANYONE in Hellas🇬🇷 that initiates and executes on (w/ real milestones delivered) a youth-oriented culturally (Hellenic🇬🇷) oriented martial arts program in Hellas🇬🇷.
-Eric Hill
Hellenic Combatives Instructor
Παγκράτιον Coach

06/07/2022

May 30, 2022 Μηχανικός- @ my desk working 11:30 pm & my son, who is departing soon for University studies following a Νόστος Journey to Greece🇬🇷, began to harass his “old father” like all good sons do as they come of age…. Thus my “analogous version” of the traditional Hellenic dance #Μηχανικός … I start crouching & walking slowly forward w/ an awkward gate, grayed, lost quite a bit of my hair … but I’m not a sponge diver 👉Άκρίται 🇺🇸🇬🇷
-Viewers will notice traditional vertical fist strikes, ulna, blade of the hand, hammer fist & a “trigger finger” strike as well single weighting w/ stepping footwork. (traditional Hellenic artwork over the millennia, including the marbles, attest to the former as well extent Hellenic tradition to the latter)
+Simulated Targets by proximity – temple, septum (nose), side of neck, trachea, temple, mandibular joint, floating ribs, kidney, solar plexus

For those interested in the origin of my analogy of the old man “brought to life” in the traditional Hellenic Dance of the sponge divers of the island of Kalymnos, 🇬🇷 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LOV1LXlpyr4&fs=e&s=cl
My studies of Hellenic 🇺🇸🇬🇷 began in 1992 under Greek Americans🇺🇸🇬🇷 in Manchester, NH🇺🇸
2014 I created & served, until 2020 deprecation, as the Director of the US-based Diaspora Hellenic Combatives Program🇺🇸🇬🇷 focusing on youth development & empowerment.
In Team Άκρίται” training (Combatives🇺🇸🇬🇷 or its “Traditional” Παγκράτιον component, extensive use of single weighting & moving while striking & grappling is utilized. The same mechanics are also reflected in use of "martial tools"; as depicted in artifacts across Hellenic history including black & white photos early in the 20th century. Video of youth-oriented cultural Hellenic martial arts training/presentations from Orlando to Tarpon Springs, Florida🇺🇸
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1TFGaLUrMoo&feature=youtu.be&fs=e&s=cl
Article 2022 in FIGHTSPORTS .GR out of Athens, Greece🇬🇷 on the program:
http://www.fightsports.gr/viral/diaspora-hellenic-combatives-program-%CE%AD%CE%BD%CE%B1-%CF%83%CF%8D%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BC%CE%B1-%CE%BC%CE%B5-%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%B7%CE%BD%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C-%CF%87%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%B1%CE%BA%CF%84/?fbclid=IwAR1E2pCCe7pJ4usdIilS7M3QVRHIcM8bOuFHJwNWCqVk0WcFxAZgfGR3a_8&fs=e&s=cl&fs=e&s=cl
Footwork in the system is derived from extant Hellenic war dances performed "the traditional way" as it works on rugged & varied terrain including: mountains, uneven valleys & fields, beaches, etc:
1. Μαχαίρι(from Pontos):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9wrugyDIko
2. Χορός των Σπαθιών (from Cappadocia):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKz4WyPxadI
3. Χορός του Δρεπανιού (from Cyprus):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1cuPWHv2YA

06/07/2022

May 30, 2022 - @ my desk working 11:30 pm & my son, who is departing soon for University studies following a Νόστος Journey to Greece🇬🇷, began to harass his “old father” like all good sons do as they come of age…. Thus my “analogous version” of the traditional Hellenic dance #Μηχανικός … I start crouching & walking slowly forward w/ an awkward gate, grayed, lost quite a bit of my hair … but I’m not a sponge diver 👉 🇺🇸🇬🇷
-Viewers will notice traditional vertical fist strikes, ulna, blade of the hand, hammer fist & a “trigger finger” strike as well single weighting w/ stepping footwork. (traditional Hellenic artwork over the millennia, including the marbles, attest to the former as well extent Hellenic tradition to the latter)
+Simulated Targets by proximity – temple, septum (nose), side of neck, trachea, temple, mandibular joint, floating ribs, kidney, solar plexus

For those interested in the origin of my analogy of the old man “brought to life” in the traditional Hellenic Dance of the sponge divers of the island of Kalymnos, 🇬🇷 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LOV1LXlpyr4&fs=e&s=cl
My studies of Hellenic 🇺🇸🇬🇷 began in 1992 under Greek Americans🇺🇸🇬🇷 in Manchester, NH🇺🇸
2014 I created & served, until 2020 deprecation, as the Director of the US-based Diaspora Hellenic Combatives Program🇺🇸🇬🇷 focusing on youth development & empowerment.
Video of youth-oriented cultural Hellenic martial arts training/presentations from Orlando to Tarpon Springs, Florida🇺🇸
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1TFGaLUrMoo&feature=youtu.be&fs=e&s=cl
Article 2022 in FIGHTSPORTS .GR out of Athens, Greece🇬🇷 on the program:
http://www.fightsports.gr/viral/diaspora-hellenic-combatives-program-%CE%AD%CE%BD%CE%B1-%CF%83%CF%8D%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BC%CE%B1-%CE%BC%CE%B5-%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%B7%CE%BD%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C-%CF%87%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%B1%CE%BA%CF%84/?fbclid=IwAR1E2pCCe7pJ4usdIilS7M3QVRHIcM8bOuFHJwNWCqVk0WcFxAZgfGR3a_8&fs=e&s=cl&fs=e&s=cl

04/02/2022

https://www.facebook.com/AkadimiaAkriton/videos/3119049831648365

10/28/2021

Since 1993 I have appeared in International Media regarding Hellenic Martial Tradition🇺🇸🇬🇷, guided trainees & engaged in the relevant full-contact combatives training, including blade work, to the present. This has included from that time: military personnel, law enforcement personnel, those participating in high risk professions, experienced martial artists & full contact combat sport players. In 2014 I (Eric Hill) began the 🇺🇸🇬🇷 Program in the United States of America🇺🇸 as a effort focusing solely on Hellenic Diaspora youth🇺🇸🇬🇷 but yet reaching out FAR beyond the Hellenic community via inclusion in seminars and presentations at elementary schools in the USA🇺🇸.
In 2016 I publicly released the components of the I engineered having realized the unique system hit the goal of allowing for safe full-contact blade aware drilling for trainees. I am elated at the acceptance by "others" regardless of their strategic/mechanical system of training for the same reasons ... training.

04/09/2021

🇺🇸🇬🇷2014-2020 Instructor Eric Hill’s development & use of by trainees -
1st phase in 2014/2015 involved analysis of force vectors in full contact training & assembling v1 of the kit w/ targeted testing(not in video).
2nd phase in 2015 was an Active Trial w/ US🇺🇸 Military combat veterans, experienced martial artists & full contact combat sport players.
3rd phase 2016 same w/ v2 of the headgear (Bayflex instead of leather).
4th phase 2017-present involved Diaspora youth including Sons of Pericles (14-28yrs & in video) where they are provided mechanical, tactical, technique & skill acquisition drills (upright spine, step-and-single weight, verticle fist punching, straight line kicking only, parrying & seizing, "blade awareness", "vital spot" drills, μαχαίρι draw from sash & grip, grappling, etc). Training in before the had turned into a Hellenic community affair, where parents would attend, from ongoing in Orlando to recurring "Blade Awareness" seminars in environs of Tarpon Springs, FL where perhaps the "heart of the Diaspora Hellenism beats." For Hellenic Dancers (affinity for certain movements), they are routinely onboarded in 2 hours as we reflect through Hellenic history & mechanics preserved in artifacts (Minoan/classical/Hellenistic/Byzantine eras, 19th & 20th centuries) & Director Hill displaying application on heavy equipment or w/ an active trainee (ie. non-compliant)... Since 2014, Eric Hill has served as the volunteer Director of the youth-centered US Program🇺🇸🇬🇷
2016 - 2021, Eric Hill served as the volunteer advisor to the Sons of Pericles (14-28 yrs)- Florida. www.sonsofpericles.org

11/29/2018

THROWBACK Thursday
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇷🇬🇷🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇷🇬🇷🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇷🇬🇷
A US citizen 2-generations removed from the Founding Fathers of the USA seemingly forgotten; who stood for the values of - “Surgeon-in-Chief of the Hellenic Fleet” who shed blood for the people of Greece during the Greek Revolution of 1821, vehemently stood opposed to slavery in the USA stating “No man's freedom is safe until all men are free.", 1867, in his elderly years, ran an Ottoman blockade of Crete to bring supplies in support of Cretan Greek Independence, dedicated the majority of his life to of deaf, mum & blind youth. Son-in-law Michael Anagnos; native of Papingo in Epiros, Greece & citizen of the USA who made his own indelible mark on the people of Greece & the United States of America ???

Samuel Gridley Howe (November 10, 1801 – January 9, 1876) was a nineteenth century United States physician, abolitionist, and an advocate of education for the blind. He organized and was the first director of the Perkins Institution.

10/28/2018

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷
In the series for “Blade Awareness” seminars was conducted by Eric Hill @ Grady's Family Mixed Martial Arts instructor Eric Hill. Here is a word on one of the many ways that the full contact module maintains the “structural dynamics of close combat”.

07/04/2018

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷
June 23, 2018- 1st in the series for “Blade Awareness” seminars was conducted by instructor Eric Hill @ Grady's Family Mixed Martial Arts. Here is a word on one of the many ways the full contact adult module, maintains the “structural dynamics of close combat”.

04/12/2017

For those interested in extant Hellenic traditions (500 - to over 1000 years old) noting deeds of warriors during the "Byzantine era" and a bit of history (in text). Note that the lyrics in the Hellenic (Greek) language of these songs that are not known to many are included. ::

http://www.domnasamiou.gr/?i=portal.el.albums&id=37

Ψηφιακή έκδοση.

09/29/2016

Partially translated lyrics below. Analogy to any given member of the Hellenic Diaspora applies.

Ακρίτας (Akritas) – Border Warrior
------------------------------------------------

An Akritas plows,
the land near the riverbanks.

He comes and goes and plows,
five drains in one hour.

He comes and goes and seeds,
forty kilos of seeds.

A bird flies close and sits
onto his wooden plough.

Comes round and settles
onto his wooden plough's center.

-Go away bird, go away,
don't you eat the ploughman's stick.

And the bird chirped,
in a human voice.

My Akritas, why d' you sit and stay,
why d' you stand and await?

They ruined your home,
they took your wife.

Onto your finest horse
they put a saddle and ride on.

And the rest of them,
stand aside and neigh.

The Akritas became furious
The Akritas was enraged.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

……..one can figure out the rest of the story.

Paintings by Skourtelis Dimitris.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LeYkMDR_Q0

ΠΟΝΤΟΣ - Ακρίτας όντες έλαμνεν Η εικονογράφηση είναι του Dimitris Skourtelis!!!