the knap. all combat onstage is planned, and no physical violence ever takes place; actors just make...

The Knap

Stage Combat

All combat onstage is planned, and no physical violence ever takes place; actors just make it look like they are fighting and causing injury.

Remember that the “Hand is always quicker than the eye.”

Your hands make the sounds of the pretend violence.

What is a “Knap?”

1. The Aggressor makes the sound

Hits chest, hand, or thigh

2. The Victim makes the sound

3. Both Fighters work in harmony to create sound

hands come in contact with each other

4. Bystanders make the noise

Knaps can be done in 4 ways

1.Hand to chest

2.Hand to hand

3.Hand to thigh

Practice facial punch.

Standing distance is important. Hand width plus arm length apart. Agressor never crosses the line of demarcation.

The Aggressor

The person being ‘hit’ makes the sound with hand against thigh, clapping hands, or hand to chest.

Practice facial ‘punch’ with the victim making the knap.

The Victim

Hands come in contact with each other.

Actors work in harmony to create disharmony.

Practice slap in the face using a shared knap.

Shared Knap