Weather very hot and muggy
Attending fighters, Cillian, Sirona, Tom , Paul, Myself
Additional students, Rob, Tracey, Z.
Cillian had us work on the punch and avoidance drill we learned down at Jean Michel's. I worked with Sirona, Tom, Rob, and Z.
Fought with Paul. He is still incrdibly fast, very strong. Not very many touches on him. Fought both rapier, and rapier and dagger. His left-handedness is also a factor.
Fought Tom, both styles. He still does more with his upper body strength to muscle through my defence. Hard to get stringere on him.
Fought Cillian. He is much looser than at J-M's and I didn't have as much success this time.
We then worked on some 2 on 2 scenarios, Cillian and I vs Tom and Paul, then switched Paul and I against Cillian and Tom. I fought case and was not satisfied with my defensive work. I scored some touches in the melee, but went out much too quickly. Trying to work mor on my cross-diagonal attacks, but still have to watch the man in front of me.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Fencing Bootcamp June 22-23
Extremely hot, extremely humid.
Attending were Cillian, Sirona, Wendy, Jen-Michel, (teaching).
J-M started the day with conditioning exersizes. We walked, walked sideways, backwards, and skipped to get the heart-rate up and th blood pumping. Then he conducted some falling exersizes, having us flop backwards using our arms to absorb the impact. We did this from a sitting position, then a squatting position, then a little higher up, but never got to falling from a stand. More conditioning exersizes involving forms of leapfrog ate up most of the early morning.
After break, J-M did some drills with german longsword, using wooden wasters. He demonstrated some basic cuts and defensive moves and a few counters. Again, I don't think he covered as much as he intended to do.
After lunch we got in some fight time. I don't think I've fought J-M since I authorized ith him at Castle Wars last fall. We fought sword and dagger, and I got some good touches on him. He advised me to not become less agressive if I lose the dagger mid-fight. Apparently my style becomes more apprehensive if I'm down a weapon. But having fought Mikolaj, and seen what he can do with a dagger close in, I think my caution is appropriate. I think, my caution was due more to not having fought J-M enough to know his style and hat I can and can't do against him. I'm sure he wasn't bringing his A-game against me, but I think I did well against him.
It was too hot to armor up completely, but on looking back, I should have gotten my gorget on at least. I know I placed one touch on the bib of J-M's mask that could have been bad if I had used more force. Speaking of force, J-M got me in the right arm just below the shoulder, and I now have a large bruise running some 4 inches down the bicep. Being in full armor wouldn't have prevented this, however.
Sunday morning was more fight time before it got too bloody hot to think about. I fought J-M single blade and made an effort to be more aggreassive, catching him flat-footed once, sweeping his blade with my off hand, and lungeing in for the kill. I asked, and he said I did better than yesterday in being more aggressive against him. But having fought him, now I have a better grasp of his style, and can fight accordingly.
It was good to square off with Cillian again for the first time since Midinter A&S. The inaction has hurt his fight and he was obviously rusty. Also, I suspect the heat was affecting his performance, as he was in doublet and I wasn't. Plus he is not 100% due to his knee, and therefore not as mobile as what I am used to from him. Therefore I will assume an asterisk on the 2 touches in succession I scored on him.
After returning to Sirona's house we 3 did some bench fencing, discussing how to keep the new student's interest up and what speed to bring them along at. Cillian sees the need to differentiate between those who would do better to learn the general Italianate fencing style while he works more on the pure Capo Ferro with those who want something more intense. We agreed with him that new students need more conditioning before they are ready for the more strenuous Capo Ferro. I am trying to stress to him the need to build the dream of fencing in the students to carry them through the long period before they are ready to fight. Handling the blade, even if they are not going to use them in a fight, helps them to visualize themselves as swordsmen. Then again, maybe the task of building a dream falls more under the duties of a bard.
Attending were Cillian, Sirona, Wendy, Jen-Michel, (teaching).
J-M started the day with conditioning exersizes. We walked, walked sideways, backwards, and skipped to get the heart-rate up and th blood pumping. Then he conducted some falling exersizes, having us flop backwards using our arms to absorb the impact. We did this from a sitting position, then a squatting position, then a little higher up, but never got to falling from a stand. More conditioning exersizes involving forms of leapfrog ate up most of the early morning.
After break, J-M did some drills with german longsword, using wooden wasters. He demonstrated some basic cuts and defensive moves and a few counters. Again, I don't think he covered as much as he intended to do.
After lunch we got in some fight time. I don't think I've fought J-M since I authorized ith him at Castle Wars last fall. We fought sword and dagger, and I got some good touches on him. He advised me to not become less agressive if I lose the dagger mid-fight. Apparently my style becomes more apprehensive if I'm down a weapon. But having fought Mikolaj, and seen what he can do with a dagger close in, I think my caution is appropriate. I think, my caution was due more to not having fought J-M enough to know his style and hat I can and can't do against him. I'm sure he wasn't bringing his A-game against me, but I think I did well against him.
It was too hot to armor up completely, but on looking back, I should have gotten my gorget on at least. I know I placed one touch on the bib of J-M's mask that could have been bad if I had used more force. Speaking of force, J-M got me in the right arm just below the shoulder, and I now have a large bruise running some 4 inches down the bicep. Being in full armor wouldn't have prevented this, however.
Sunday morning was more fight time before it got too bloody hot to think about. I fought J-M single blade and made an effort to be more aggreassive, catching him flat-footed once, sweeping his blade with my off hand, and lungeing in for the kill. I asked, and he said I did better than yesterday in being more aggressive against him. But having fought him, now I have a better grasp of his style, and can fight accordingly.
It was good to square off with Cillian again for the first time since Midinter A&S. The inaction has hurt his fight and he was obviously rusty. Also, I suspect the heat was affecting his performance, as he was in doublet and I wasn't. Plus he is not 100% due to his knee, and therefore not as mobile as what I am used to from him. Therefore I will assume an asterisk on the 2 touches in succession I scored on him.
After returning to Sirona's house we 3 did some bench fencing, discussing how to keep the new student's interest up and what speed to bring them along at. Cillian sees the need to differentiate between those who would do better to learn the general Italianate fencing style while he works more on the pure Capo Ferro with those who want something more intense. We agreed with him that new students need more conditioning before they are ready for the more strenuous Capo Ferro. I am trying to stress to him the need to build the dream of fencing in the students to carry them through the long period before they are ready to fight. Handling the blade, even if they are not going to use them in a fight, helps them to visualize themselves as swordsmen. Then again, maybe the task of building a dream falls more under the duties of a bard.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Tuesday Practice June 12
Weather threatening and overcast. Fighters in attendance: Cillian teaching, Sirona, Tom, Mikolaj, Chris.
Student, also attending, Tracey.
Despite earlier weather, We had class time. Cillian covered avoiding the lunge by stepping back with the right foot. One day I'll learn the italian for that...maybe. Sparring was just getting under way when the thunder started. I played some with Mikolaj, sword and dagger, but hadn't gotten any touches on him when practice was called.
Afterward, went over to Sirona's with Cillian and tried some blindfold drills. Interesting.
Student, also attending, Tracey.
Despite earlier weather, We had class time. Cillian covered avoiding the lunge by stepping back with the right foot. One day I'll learn the italian for that...maybe. Sparring was just getting under way when the thunder started. I played some with Mikolaj, sword and dagger, but hadn't gotten any touches on him when practice was called.
Afterward, went over to Sirona's with Cillian and tried some blindfold drills. Interesting.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Tuesday, June 5, Fighter Practice
Weather, very warm, humid.
In attendance, Cillian, (teaching), Charles, Sirona, Mikolaj Tom, William, Yves, Myself.
students, Rob, Tracey, Kevin, Aesa.
I forgot my shirt and hood so had to borrow a fillip and loaner hood from Cillian. Takes some getting used to, but much less restraining than my doublet, and definitely breathes better. I need one that fits me better than this one though. But I like the length. It would look good with my tartan.
Class covered advances, retreats, slope paces, and lunges.
Sparred with Yves, and worked more on melee tactics with the group. Did ok fighting Yves, case against his sword and buckler, but I doubt he was at full speed against me.
I really need to get my authorization in case and with buckler. To a lesser extent with soft parry.
In attendance, Cillian, (teaching), Charles, Sirona, Mikolaj Tom, William, Yves, Myself.
students, Rob, Tracey, Kevin, Aesa.
I forgot my shirt and hood so had to borrow a fillip and loaner hood from Cillian. Takes some getting used to, but much less restraining than my doublet, and definitely breathes better. I need one that fits me better than this one though. But I like the length. It would look good with my tartan.
Class covered advances, retreats, slope paces, and lunges.
Sparred with Yves, and worked more on melee tactics with the group. Did ok fighting Yves, case against his sword and buckler, but I doubt he was at full speed against me.
I really need to get my authorization in case and with buckler. To a lesser extent with soft parry.
Tuesday, May 29, Fighter Practice
Temperature, warm and humid
In attendance, Cillian (teaching) Sirona, William, Tom, Brendan, Mikolaj, Myself,
Students, Rob, Tracy, Justin, Z. Raven
Cillian worked on more stretches, the wide stance, and advances. He previewed the Capo Ferro Lunge.
Sparred with Willam and Tom. Then Oswin came over from the heavy field to do some melee experiments. Some of his ideas don't translate well from the heavy field to rapier, But he did point out how we are too linear in our thinking, concentrating on what's in front of us, and forgetting the periferals.
Charles expressed concern that the blunts on my Hanweis are wearing out too quickly from sun damage in my truck.
Mikolaj pointed out that I have good offence when fighting case, but I need to develop more defence.
The buckler I have on semi-permanent loan from Chris needed some smoothing on its honor marks.
In attendance, Cillian (teaching) Sirona, William, Tom, Brendan, Mikolaj, Myself,
Students, Rob, Tracy, Justin, Z. Raven
Cillian worked on more stretches, the wide stance, and advances. He previewed the Capo Ferro Lunge.
Sparred with Willam and Tom. Then Oswin came over from the heavy field to do some melee experiments. Some of his ideas don't translate well from the heavy field to rapier, But he did point out how we are too linear in our thinking, concentrating on what's in front of us, and forgetting the periferals.
Charles expressed concern that the blunts on my Hanweis are wearing out too quickly from sun damage in my truck.
Mikolaj pointed out that I have good offence when fighting case, but I need to develop more defence.
The buckler I have on semi-permanent loan from Chris needed some smoothing on its honor marks.
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