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Post by Otagiri Tatsuzou on Nov 28, 2005 21:43:02 GMT -5
I regularly fight spear is normal bear pits. ... ...I'd like to point out that in the Crown I won, I fought spear in at least one bout of every match. What is the length of your spear? The diameter of the point. Is it a thrusting spear only? Fiberglass or rattan? I am unfamiliar with this drill. Could you describe it?
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Post by Otagiri Tatsuzou on Nov 28, 2005 21:48:21 GMT -5
Pell work, one-on-one, two-on- two, and just standing there with your spear is all good training. Sir Tomoyuki, thank you for opening this thread. Date-dono also suggested 'pell-work' with a spear. Is this thrusting-practice (pick a target and thrust, repeat 1000 times) or something else? Just standing there? In what way do you train just standing there? I often twirl my spears with one or both hands, in the middle or at the head or butt. Or throw them in the air. Stretch with them. Anything to help me feel/remember the range and balance of the weapon.
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Post by tomoyuki on Nov 28, 2005 22:51:24 GMT -5
Its all about range, and balance! Yes that is a combination of thrusting, and movement practice. I have the pell 3 ft, to the side and forward a bit of a tree. I practice thrusting both targets, and move as I would in combat on the line, or close, as I would. Good practice. I use a 9 ft fiberglass mostly. I have not found a Rattan spear that I liked. Most are not stiff enough. The flex of my rattan spear throws me off. It is hard to do aggressive disruption with it, and still thrust where I want to target. I'm afraid I'm going to face-jack someone with it, so I don't use it much. I have friends that love them though. I have a shorter 7ft field spear that is rattan. Much stiffer. It is a short bladed pole weapon. It is as close to real yari fighting as I can get. With butt spike of course. Just started using it a bunch at practice. Plan to get scary with it. We are back to padded pole weapons now, so its been hard to adapt it, and not have it very out of balance. Marc
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Nov 29, 2005 1:00:22 GMT -5
If he doesn't answer right away, ask again in a few weeks. I understand he's in the middle of a move. ;->
S.
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Post by Kitadatetenno on Nov 29, 2005 10:09:40 GMT -5
Tomoyuki-dono,
I wouldn't say that I learned sword and spear from Duke Tarrach -- he lives too far from me for that. But I usually fight two weapon, and this was just a variation of that. Sword and spear is a somewhat popular novelty form in the Middle and Northshield. I know that Duke Finn fights it with some regularity. And yes, I'll be at Gulf Wars.
"What is the length of your spear? The diameter of the point. Is it a thrusting spear only? Fiberglass or rattan?"
Because of our normal rules on weapons in Crowns, it's 6 foot, with a 2 inch point. Thrust only (or it's really not a spear according to SCA rules). Rattan, because I like the smaller point more than the stiffness for a shorter weapon. Single end only (a butt isn't a killing blow against armour, and our rules prevent forcing the opponent out of the list).
Most of my opponents used 6 foot fiberglass with 3 inch tips, double-ended.
I am unfamiliar with this drill. Could you describe it? [/quote]
It's essentially a 2 on 1 charging drill, where the idea is to call, but not act out blows, and the point is to put the other guy or guys down on their butts, in legal form. Recently renamed to 'The Middle Kingdom Unbelted Team Motivational Technique', because someone didn't like the name. It does have a good purpose, though. Do it enough times against guys like Sabah and Kegslayer and you lose your fear of teh press pretty quickly.
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Post by OgamiBusho on Feb 5, 2006 17:21:50 GMT -5
It's my experience that everyone here is absolutely correct.
Using a yari can be almost relaxing, even in the field or the woods- providing you have a *really* good unit to work behind. When I was young (Oh, God, here comes another old fart story...) I fought with House Elandris, who at the time were the best unit in the SCA, and it wasn't unusual for me to rack up 50 or more kills without worrying about being killed.
When you lack a secure wall to fight behind and are with just a couple of other people, yari can be *incredibly* energetic. You run like a soccer player, and it wouldn't hurt if you have a background in fencing and gymnastics.
If you are fighting one-on-one against any other weapon's form, you damn well better have mastered your art. Your best advantage is your opponent's overconfidence.
I never worried about super-dukes. It's nearly impossible to kill them anyway, regardless of your weapon. The wheel of karma turns, and sometimes it leaves tire prints on your face.
By the way- I used to be known as 'that damn East kingdom speed shooter', and at one point a Midream king put a $50 per battle bounty on my head. But this was back when rocks were soft and spears were made of oak. I've only recently begun to teach my squires yari, and no doubt everything I know is hopelessly antiquated. So feel free to ignore me. As we all know, old people become foolish and memories are filtered through the gentle haze of nostalgia.
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Post by Yoshimitsu on Feb 14, 2006 14:53:02 GMT -5
"I've only recently begun to teach my squires yari, and no doubt everything I know is hopelessly antiquated. So feel free to ignore me. As we all know, old people become foolish and memories are filtered through the gentle haze of nostalgia."
While I have not had the pleasure of facing you in battle, sir, I have witnessed your When-rocks-were-soft style of combat - antiquated is definitely not the same as obsolete.
Thank you everyone, BTW, for sharing your experiences. Interesting and educational...
Regards, Yoshi
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Post by OgamiBusho on Feb 14, 2006 22:20:06 GMT -5
Thanks, Yoshimitsu! I appreciate the kind words. If you make it to Pennsic, feel free to drop by the Yama Kaminari encampment. I'll regale you with stories of past glory that are punctuated with complaints about the govenment. (I'm easy to spot - I'm the one in the rocking chair with my hakama pulled up to my chest.)
Seriously, though, I'm planning on using my yari at Pennsic this year, along with my yumi, tanto, naginata, and, of course, my beloved katana. It ought to be a hoot!
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