Are You Ready to Learn a Unique Martial Art? And Have an Absolute Blast Doing it?
Enter the captivating world of the Legendary Irish Blackthorn Shillelagh, an ancient and iconic symbol of Irish heritage and a weapon steeped in centuries of history. With its origins dating back to ancient Celtic times and Irish Faction Fights, the Shillelagh has become an enduring symbol of Irish resilience, strength, and cultural identity.
Step into Irish Stick Fighting – a martial tradition centered on the legendary Blackthorn Shillelagh. More than an icon of Irish heritage, the shillelagh is a highly adaptable and brutally efficient self-defense tool with roots stretching from Celtic history to Irish Faction Fights. Today, its self defensive applications remain as practical and powerful as ever.
Start Here
- New to Martial Arts and Want the Lowest Risk Option? Then the Green Belt Introductory Bundle is the right choice for you.
- Committed and Want the Full Path? The Black Belt Bundle is the real deal.
- Looking to Manage a Tight Budget? Our Monthly Black Belt Subscription option may be the right fit.
At Combat Shillelagh, we bring a one-of-a-kind martial art directly to you through a modern distance-learning platform designed for maximum effectiveness. Whether you’re seeking traditional stick and blade methods or a refined, combatives-focused approach, our program delivers the only comprehensive Irish Stick Fighting system available online—crafted from over 37 years of high-level training in staff, blade, and empty-hand martial concepts
Our mission is simple: Make Irish Stick Fighting accessible to everyone, no matter where you live. Our expertly structured video lessons, progressive curriculum, and immersive online training environment ensure genuine skill development—not just passive viewing. You get clear instruction, real feedback opportunities, and a learning experience proven to work for students of all levels worldwide.
Experience the world’s most comprehensive Irish Stick Fighting system— expertly modernized, and delivered with the power and convenience of true distance learning.
Take Advantage of our Introductory Discounts
Combat Shillelagh: Ancient Weapon, Modern Times
Whether you want to delve deep into Shillelagh Irish Stick Fighting as an entire weapons system all on it’s own, or you want to add to your existing studies to round out your skills, then THIS is the system for you.
Not found anywhere else, you get access to an incredibly rich amount of learning material provided both online in a Distance Learning Model as well as face to face in hands-on seminars and events.
There are multiple levels of material and certification available all the way from Green Belt, Brown Belt, Black Belt up to and including Assistant Instructor, Certified Instructor and Master Levels.
My name is Brent Earlewine. I am the Founder and Lead Instructor for the Combat Shillelagh Irish Stick Fighting System. I am glad you are here!
There is nothing I love more than the prospect of helping someone start their own personal journey into the awesome world of Martial Arts just like I did 37 years ago. Is the next one YOU?
All those years ago, I never imagined I would get this far. My original goal of becoming a Black Belt seemed light years away and I felt like I would never get there, much less getting to Master Level in multiple martial arts.
But I persevered. I ground out the hard work. I invested time, money, blood, sweat and tears. I traveled around the world to train with master instructors. Then I did it again. And again. And again. And again. (I am STILL doing it!) And I did it while managing a full-time career and raising a family (4 crazy kids!).
Amazing! The experiences the journey has given me, and all of the incredible people I have met along the way.
Life gets in the way. Another business trip. Schedule conflicts. Kid’s sporting events, practices and summer camps. I get it. I know, because I’ve been there. There was always something that gets in the way of chasing your dream if you let it. But if I did it, so can you! It’s hard to find the time. I’ve lived it. And that is EXACTLY why we designed our program as a Distance Learning Course.
Available 24 x 7, Anywhere, Anytime.
The Modern Age has seen the rise of Remote Learning Models. It is how people all over the world gain news skills and learn new concepts. And when we launched our Irish Stick Fighting System several years ago, we built it from the ground up to take full advantage of technological advances in remote content delivery and learning methodologies.
At its heart, our Learning System is all about helping YOU Study and Learn an incredibly effective & unique self-defense martial art no matter where in the world you may happen to be. Stop collecting content and start collecting skill. Learn to be “dangerous” in a disciplined way.
Rank Options all the way up to Master Levels
A Robust Self Defense Curriculum
A Complete System from Beginner all the Way Up to Master Level
You, the student get access to a WEALTH of study material that is well thought out and designed to instill the critical defensive skills of utilizing a Shillelagh. Our program is comprised of study Levels from beginner all the way up to Master (Green Belt, Brown Belt, Black Belt, Assistant Instructor, Instructor and Master Levels). This gives you a clear path of skill progression so you can take this as far as you want to go! This isn’t some random Youtube video. It is a modern training method in a structured SYSTEM of learning.
Train at home in only 20-30 minutes a day.
Based upon 37+ Years of Dedicated Training in Staff and Blade Martial Arts
The Combat Shillelagh system was created based upon 37 years+ of dedicated staff, stick and edged weapons training studies. All of that incredible experience is now embedded into the heart of the Martial Art of Shillelagh Irish Stick Fighting. Combat Shillelagh is a pressure tested modern-day application of Irish Stick Fighting focused on the ancient weapon of Ireland, the legendary Blackthorn Shillelagh.
Learn time proven, practical stick self-defense skills.
You are Supported by a Cadre of Instructors All Along the Way
We want you to be successful in your journey to Blackbelt. Our cadre of Instructors are here to help you all along the way. From tips and tricks on how to maximize your training, to feedback and Skills Audits, as well as a constructive Rank Testing Process. You are never on your own. We also offer remote video testing for Level I and Level II as an option. You get progression, corrections and accountability. Our Instructors have over 100 YEARS of cumulative experience in stick and blade martial arts. NOBODY offers you the depth of experience for learning modern day Irish Stick Fighting like we do at Combat Shillelagh.
How Does Remote Coaching Work?
Our Senior Instructors are always available for emails, chats, calls and online interactions. During your training journey, you can simply send us progression videos and we will evaluate and send back detailed instructions on what you are doing well, and where you need to spend more time. This real time coaching is an invaluable part of your progression as you learn form, mechanics, footwork, timing, distance and more. Further, we have an online community board for active students where you can find additional resources as well as interact with fellow students from around the world.
You get the coaching you need to build real skills.
Hybrid Learning Model – Exclusive Access to Online Learning AND Live, In-Person Events
We designed our system to offer the best of both worlds: Distance Learning and Live Instruction. As a hybrid learning model, you not only get the benefit of training remotely at your own pace and in your own location, but you ALSO get exclusive access to our live events as well. This maximizes your opportunity to learn & grow. It also provides flexible choices on how you want to study and train. And if you can’t make it to our live events, we record them and then make the videos available to our Black Belt Bundle Students as an added bonus!
Train at home, test remotely and attend live events when it makes sense.
Flexible Training Packages Designed to Meet Your Needs
Whether you want to start with the Green Belt Introductory Bundle, or the Black Belt Monthly Subscription Option, or you are ready to go all in on the one-time Black Belt Bundle package purchase, we have options that fit your training needs and budget. Our packages are offered in modular options as well, so you can grow as you go.
Everything is built around delivering clear standards and skill progression.
Confidence and Competence
No “meathead” gyms or cosplay here. This is a worldwide community of Irish Stick Fighters that teaches real skills like striking, timing, footwork, range, coordination and so much more.
Feeling stuck in your “dad life” or desk life? Then step out of the oridnary and into the extraordinary. This is about having a mission in your life and learning a self defense craft to protect yourselves and your loved ones.
What our Students have to say about us...
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