|
Post by magnus on Mar 3, 2011 14:05:53 GMT -5
Physical fitness is an integral component to any sport, or any combat system. Sometimes endurance will win over superior skill. Your techniques are useless if your body is too tired to execute them. If anyone watches UFC, you've seen this before then.
I think we take for granted how soft we have become, when forced to do physical things.
Anyone seen the documentary "Reclaiming the Blade"? It touches on this...how our medieval and ancient counterparts were much, much tougher physically.
|
|
|
Post by arashi on Mar 3, 2011 18:00:25 GMT -5
I agree that fitness plays a large role in what we do in the SCA. I think the majority of what is required is endurance training. Nothing we do requires tremendous levels of strength or toughness. The mere ability to stand in a guard position longer than your opponent can win you a match at times.
Circle a sword and shield fighter as a polearm fighter, staying inside your long range, but outside his range...make them keep that sword and shield held up...it starts to get heavy after a while...more so on newer fighters, but even the most hardened veteran fighter can't hold that shield up forever without it taking its toll on his muscles.
|
|
|
Post by Suzuki Ken'ichi on Mar 3, 2011 18:07:16 GMT -5
I read somewhere that as a boy, Richard I of England was made to stand holding his sword out at arm's length for hours by Henry II. We just don't have that kind of stamina today.
|
|
|
Post by pallidus on Mar 3, 2011 20:38:29 GMT -5
Hey Lash- It looks like you can smash with both ends of your polearm. Am I seeing that right? I thought it was expressly forbidden to be able to smash with both ends.
|
|
Lash
New Member
perfection isnt an end result but a path to walk upon with your eyes closed.
Posts: 422
|
Post by Lash on Mar 3, 2011 21:08:00 GMT -5
no the bottom is a butt spike i just have leather and pading wrapped in a cylinder to balance the other smashing side. so pokey only lol
|
|
|
Post by pallidus on Mar 21, 2011 20:04:29 GMT -5
Marc de Arundel - I mentioned him on page on of this thread - won West Kingdom Crown tournament this weekend. To his credit he has also been prince three times. You can see his final round fight on youtube here: www.youtube.com/user/Aeschine#p/u/2/mCQb6Z5TyqA
|
|
|
Post by pallidus on Apr 11, 2011 0:20:45 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Miyamoto Takezo on Apr 12, 2011 5:13:46 GMT -5
When using Florentine to against a shield, I prefer to use my opponent's shield against them. Using Sir Ogami Akira's pell design to practice rythm and accuracy, and applying some of the strategies found in the Fire Chapter of Musashi's Go Rin No Sho, I've managed to develop a tried and true technique for this situation.
Step 1: When first facing your opponent on the field, stand with katana in your right hand and wakizashi in your left, blades facing horizontally in front of you, your feet should be firmly planted, shoulder width apart and toes facing your enemy. Do not put one foot in front of the other at this time.
Step 2: As your opponent approaches you, quickly step forward with whichever foot is facing his shield side, in this case we will say that his left is his shield side, since this is most common. So, you would approach them with your right foot.
Step 3: As you approach, quickly speed your pace and thrust toward the left eye of your opponent with your wakizashi. Naturally, he will defend this attack with his shield and quickly follow with an over head swing from his sword.
Step 3: At this moment, step tightly to your opponent's right side and then take another step toward his back with your left foot, slightly widening your range to half an arm's length while bouncing your wakizashi up off of his shield and toward the top of his helm, to protect yourself from a possible overhead swing. This must be done quickly, while his shield is still up and in front of his helm. If he turns with you, simply quicken your pace with another step with your left foot toward his back and bounce block your wakizashi once again, aiming for his left eye and parrying upwards.
Step 4: As soon as you are near the center of his back, with wakizashi in left hand and up, bring your katana in with your right hand, aiming for the back of his helm and arcing downward toward the center of his back, killing him.
Step 5: If he has caught on to your rythm, he may raise his shield in time to block your katana. If this happens, bring down your wakizashi suddenly, against his shield and alter the direction of your katana by rolling your wrist and letting your blade drop, then swing it upward toward the back of his thighs while twisitng your hips toward him.
Step 6: If he decides to shield press you, and most of your belted fighters will, step into the shield with all your might, slamming down hard toward the left side of his helm with your wakizashi and then repeat step 5, he will have no choice but to expose the backs of his thighs while trying to defend, then cut him down with your katana.
I hope this helps a little. In this technique, pacing and rhythm is everything. It takes diligent practice to master.
|
|
spearweasel
New Member
"See? That was nothing. But that's how it always begins. Very small."
Posts: 238
|
Post by spearweasel on Apr 13, 2011 16:00:23 GMT -5
I seem to get a lot of mileage feinting with a tetsubo... I have it balanced like a bastard sword, so that may be cheating a little.
|
|