Alright, just starting out in the far North (Ottawa, Canada), with no other realms within spitting distance. Right now our pool of fighters is very small - around eight people. What I'm looking for is some insightful commentary as to my build and weapon choices, and what theoretical (yes, this is getting really vague) problems I'm going to run into down the road with the combination of the two.
I'm about 6"1, slim shouldered, a wiry 150lbs. Been working as a bike courier for nine years now, so stamina and leg strength/mobility are my high points. Arms are long and gangly- not t-rex arms, but I'm not bowling anyone over with shield bashes either. I used to fence YEARS ago, so footwork is starting out decent.
My comfort zone (which I routinely try and switch out of) is with shield-leg foward, sword held up parallel to the ground, about level to my ear with arm chambered behind my body. I really don't know how I got there, but that's me "home" position. I power most shots by dropping the elbow down and forward, letting the wrist decide direction. Fun for attacking their sword-side, but given how everyone here is very dancey, it's a poor place for punishing shots at my shieldside leg. BTW, those rarely land anyway - footwork is good. Otherwise it's sword foward at a 45 angle from my body - but I find getting a SOLID shot from that posistion takes more work... Been experimenting with the ridiculous "sword-down-the-back-and-elbow-in-you-ear" swings - which seem to allow amazing speed & power, deliverable just about anywhere - but that's only good for one or two shots - once they close with you (especially given my primary antangonist fights florentine), it's just silly.
Now that's a ramble. Anyway, that's my meat & taters, and I've perhaps mistakenly chosen a 28" round strap (which I wouldn't trade for the world) and a sword with a 32" blade.
Any equally broad advice for starting out with this? And yes, I've built myself a wrist roller.