Here is an old video and a chance to actually see someone who engaged in sword combat and has old warfare experience doing the ardha dance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7orax704PqM
The elder in the middle (wearing red shmagh and golden egal) from 00:50 + is shaikh Abdullah alJaber AlSabah of Kuwait. He fought in the battle of alJahra in the early 20th century. Anyone with some experience in the dance will notice that he is infact leading and controlling the other dancers, something very rare in our time especially as the elderly people are passing away :-(