Working it Through

Tuesday night saw some good fights.  Last week lessons (See "What Long Quillions You Have!") definitely took root.  While not perfected, blade gaining and re direction was happening a lot more.

Most of my bouts were single rapier.  It's good to keep this form fresh and growing, it's easy to get wrapped up in companion weapons but it can take away from the singles skills.

Footwork felt better measured and attacks more decisive.

For companion weapons, I chose the cloak and buckler for the night.

Cloak is not like anything else, in my opinion.  Mine is full length and made of wool, it has some weight.  Cloak fighting requires a balance of controlling the cloak and working with its movement.  Finding this balance allows the fencer to go from linear to circular movements smoothly, if not, it's easy to have it turned against you.

Buckler is fun. It is a brawling weapon on the surface, but by employing angles for deflection and the edge for misdirection, it is also a complex companion.  Also, it's less wear and tear on the fencer.

In a previous post, I talked about how practice was theraputic; I suppose the universe decided to test me.  My cousin passed away the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.  

Being a teacher, I can't afford to have anything from my personal life effect how I interact with my students; it isn't their job to look after us, so it all has to be packed away until I get home.

Tuesday did its job.  I had no control over losing my cousin, I have no control over the pain of his wife and children, or anyone else's, but I could exercise control over my action in the List. I could focus and immerse myself in my fights.  Engage my opponient's and hug as friends and compatriots after.  It gave me a break.

Many Thanks

Today, I give thanks to the First Bladesmith, the First Master and the First Student.
I give thanks to generations Martial Artist for their sacrifices so we may learn.
I give thanks to my brothers and sisters of the sword for sharing your skills and knowledge and your comeraderie.

Happy Thanksgiving!

What Long Quillions You Have!

At practice on Tuesday, my teacher and I worked on blade alignment and controlling the opponent's weapon.  "You have these long quillions, let's put them to work!".

Swordplay relies on subtle techniques to make the more familiar cuts and thrusts more successful. In the movies, most choreographies show a lot of swinging and blade to blade action, but a small turn of the blade can take an attacking blade out of line, allowing for a successful strike.

The drill we worked on was turning the rapier and using the quillions (cross guard) to grab the opponent's blade and countering with a thrust.  These turns are small, a quarter to half an inch as the wrist rises and the blade is grabbed and opponent on point.  When combining the snare with a rising wrist, it keeps the incoming blade away from your arm or vitals.

It was an effective drill and taught many lessons that were applied in the bouts that occurred after that.

Musings

 

 Myself fencing at the 100 Minutes War, mask art by me.

It's been six months or so since my last post. Life hasn't let up, yet. There's been good and bad, it's kept me running, regardless.

This passed Pennsic, I fell in with a great fencing unit called StormGuard.  My Master is also a member and once home I accepted their invitation, as well.

Good times!

Time constraints with work and school kept me from practice for over a month and it definitely took its toll, footwork needed to be tighter, attacks and defenses smoother.  Fortunately, it comes back quicker these days.

Being back in practice feels wonderful.  I can be stressed or exhausted, but once I'm suited up, giving a nod for a challenge and picking up my blades and I'm feeling good and ready to go.

At the 100 Minutes War, I was surprised being inducted into the Order of the Silver Rapier. It's an award of martial prowess in the List and in the melee field.  It was completely unexpected, but I was deeply honored and grateful to be recognized in such a way.

The Order of the Silver Rapier award scroll by Master Orlando Sforza (George Lavigne)

Round 'n' Round!

"This is the segno, where you'll make your students walk, stepping forward as well as back, with weapons in hand, round about, putting their feet in the edges that cross the segno tondi."
~ Achilles Morozzo

The circle has been a part of martial traditions across the world.  Morozzo knew it was important enough to illustrate an eight pointed star or compass to express its importance.

The circle is actually a frame for four intersecting lines creating eight directions; this gives the fencer complete mobility with the ability to expand in attack and contract in defense from any angle and direction.

My left arm is still, mostly, out of commission. Without being able to effectively cover myself, I am working even harder to keep a narrow target while making my movements smoother.

I'd love to say this has been easy, but the small bruise coming up from a spot that got tagged a few times. :). It hasn't been a total disaster; it's been frustrating and a lot of fun, too.  This is all part of the learning and there is never a good reason  to avoid footwork. .

The Master Form

In fencing, there are several weapon forms: dagger, cloak, buckler, baton, etc., but the master form is what you begin with: single rapier.

It makes sense; while training in Asian Martial Arts, the horse stance and strait punch is what you first learn and you go back to it with each advanced level.

Two weeks ago, I had a tendinitis flare up in my left arm. I'm still nursing it, so no off hand weapons for me.

That part sucks.

In the spirit of omlettes out of cracked eggs,  having a wounded arm is forcing me to focus on single rapier.

That part is great!

In order to protect the elbow, I tucked my hand behind my back.

This made me focus on a more narrow stance and being able to defend my zones without the help of an off hand or an off hand weapon, also how to engage the blade and overcome my opponents weapon.

There were some well earned lessons and many fun fights.  

Back Again

It's been a while since my last entry, life got real busy, real fast.

Since I last posted, I got hired as a high school graphic design teacher and taking classes for my accumulated hours.  I'm loving it and it has me crazy busy!

I'm still fencing, that hasn't changed; it's as much a part of my life as ever.  Back in March, I was taken on as a cadet to Master Orlando Sforza (SCA); I'm very proud.

My Cadet's Scarf bearing the device of Master Orlando Sforza
to be worn on the left arm.

Posts resume this week!