Fighting Definition Videos: Round 1

[Brennon EH]

It's taken me a long time to finally get these up, but they are up.

Spyn and I went through the ten basic shots, the basic stances, and basic guards. We gave examples of execution, how they should look, and defined them as basic terms.

Each video is annotated with useful information and summaries that should give explanation where it's needed. If any part is unclear, I can go back and add more annotations, so let me know.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BrennonEH

[Spyn]

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p ... 9D918945C8 is the videos put in a playlist for easier viewing. Any questions or comments please ask.



Spyn

[p_quick]

awesome vids everyone should watch these thanks brennen, and spyn

derian can we get these in the fighting resources thread

[Winfang]

Updated.

[bishoplod]

Great work. Thanks for putting the effort into providing these guys.

[Soo Ma Tai]

Nice work, well explained and put together. There are a couple of points I disagree with, stance is one. The other is, at least from what I have seen, most of the riposte stikes show wouldn't really carry sufficient force for Bel the way they are shown in the video. I may be completely wrong on the riposte thing, not having felt the shots or having seen them at full speed/power.
As far as stance goes, I feel that the footwork show in the video is the exact opposite of what you want. The front foot should be canted at a 45 deg angle, this serves to protect the groin and close the centerline down. The rear foot should be at the same angle, or slightly less. i.e. more pointed to the opponent to allow for the combatant to push off the balls of both feet. This allows for quick advances and retreats. Weight should be distributed 60% to the rear foot/40% to the front. This allows for easy retraction of the front leg from leg shots.

Just my little opinion. Primarily a difference in style. My stance is also influenced by my martial arts background. This stance also makes shield kicking easier and more deceptive since you don't need to set up for it, the path of the foot to the target is clear for the rear leg, and front leg kicks take no change in weight dist.

[Spyn]

In sword fighting the feet primary purpose is to set up a center line...anything before or after this line robs you of power. Either by striking to early or after the apex of your swing. Peter can attest to the power of these strikes as they are shown. The primary foot sets the body in proper alignment for a proper swing, by aligning the hips and shoulders. With your foot pointed out you are robbing yourself of lots of power and are forced to arm shots more and not be able to properly manipulate your center/core to add power to the swings by raising or dipping with shots as needed. The stance you speak up works well with hands and feet, not so much when applying force to something outside your box.

As for weight distribution...most first steps are a skip step/gap closer or 6 inch off center line step then followed with a rear foot step off center line to help set up your opponent for out of position shots that are easier to read if they do not move their feet properly. I stand 50/50 on either leg as distance determines how you have to step to approach sword range.

Spyn

[Bortas]

Great vids... learned a lot on footwork just by watching.

Kudos, gents.

-bort

[Winfang]

I noticed that a lot of those shots that involved the backhand motion, i.e. cross flat wrap and cross hip scoop (darkside), they would end up hitting flat with a sword. At the end of the shot the palm would be facing away from your opponent. If you're using a club this not a big deal. With a sword, you have to twist your forearm so your palm is pointed up when the sword connects. Not a huge change but the majority of Belegarth uses swords so it worth saying.

[Spyn]

They all hit with the back edge of your sword... your sword is held at a 45 in your hand when i fight with a flat blade..semi thumb and forefinger grip to slightly rotate sword edge forward. Takes some of the speed off but very easy to do with a flat.

Spyn

[Derian]

I just got through them all as well. Very well done, Spyn & Brennon.

I'm completely clueless when it comes to footwork, and the sort of afterthought comments about footwork will help quite a bit, I think.

[p_quick]

i just want to point out for the record that spyn hits like a rednecks hits on their cousins, (real hard)

[Ramius]

Lies! Spyn hits like a kitten with a sore paw!

-Ramius

[Winfang]

I'm not a witness and I don't do everything that King Spyn says. I don't fight with the modified saber-grip. My grip is more like the hammer grip. When going through those shots last night, I noticed I would hit flat with them.

[Brennon EH]

I'm not a witness and I don't do everything that King Spyn says. I don't fight with the modified saber-grip. My grip is more like the hammer grip. When going through those shots last night, I noticed I would hit flat with them.

You can probably compensate by rotating your wrist/elbow more towards the end of the shot.

I actually use a switch grip. Most of the time I fight traditional saber, but before impact (either on a block or a strike) I roll my thumb left and down into a hammer grip, then back up into saber.

I find it gives me all the control, without injuring my thumbs. Takes a long time to get used to, though.

[Winfang]

That's what I figured out too.

I've been pretty successful with the hammer-grip, plus it's the one that I'm forced to use within SCA due basket hilts and demi-gaunlets, so I'm not change it any time soon.

A big thanks for the videos!

[Brennon EH]

That's what I figured out too.

I've been pretty successful with the hammer-grip, plus it's the one that I'm forced to use within SCA due basket hilts and demi-gaunlets, so I'm not change it any time soon.

A big thanks for the videos!

You're very welcome.

How does being stuck in hammer grip all the time affect your ability to stab? Is there a lot of stabbing in SCA?

[Winfang]

From watching videos, Amtgard has more stabbing then SCA, but SCA has more then Bel. Stabbing, especially face thrusts, used to be taboo in SCA and some knights still refuse to use them. One notable person is Duke Brannos who hates face thrusts. Most stabs are mostly used to reposition people instead of killing. No real fine control to it, just put it in there and see if it hits.

Herre is a good example of SCA stabbing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg_2t-sXov8

All this applies to sword/shield because two handed weapons rely heavily on the thrust.

[Brennon EH]

At 1:30 the guy on his knees gets stabbed so hard he slides backwards... And waves it off.

Am I missing some critical cultural difference or something? It's a chainmail standard, right?

[Winfang]

They both wave it off, at least that how I interpret the head nodding of Duke Stephan (on the right). It's clear from the video that it connected with something but without being in the armor I couldn't say if it felt right.

SCAdians will typically choose to wave off a shot if it's questionable were a Bel fighter will take questionable shots. While the rules is a maille standard for shot calibration, the armor that is worn comes into play with glancing surfaces and what-not.

[Arrakis]

I was told that stabbing is a good idea, but you need to really skewer someone to get them to take it.

[p_quick]

god * that kid is annoying

[Aleksii]

I was told that stabbing is a good idea, but you need to really skewer someone to get them to take it.

This is true for anywhere but the face.

[p_quick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hhOXGJu ... re=related