Classes at Spring War

[Kyrian]

It's still a few months out but I'd like to get some input regarding some classes I plan on teaching at Spring War:

1) Intro to combat archery
2) Intro to offensive shield work
3) Intro to small-unit tactics
4) Intro to basic shots

If there's anything specific you'd like me to go over in any of these topics, please let me know. I'll post my outlines probably some time next week.

[Kyrian]

Well, it's obviously waaaay past the next week of my previous post but here are the basic outlines for the classes at Spring War. All of the classes will take place either near or at the pavillion. Times will most likely be at the beginning and ends of fighting for the two days.

1. Twelve shots
Friday after weapons check
Recommended equipment: single sword or bat

I. 1-6 chops
II. 7-9 wraps
III. 10-12 stabs
IV. Shots as a function of range
V. Using numbers for developing drills and combos

2. Intro to offensive shield work (this is very similar to the class I taught at Octoberfest last year)
Friday late afternoon
Recommended equipment: single sword and shield, preferably round, teardrop, or heater

I. How to deliver and receive a shield bash
II. How to check
III. Shield bump
IV. Shield punching
V. Shield hooking
VI. Counters to shield attacks

3. Intro to combat archery
Saturday morning after weapons check
Recommended equipment: bow, at least three arrows preferably, your quiver, a backup weapon and/or shield

I. Safety
II. Calling your shots
III. Recommended equipment
IV. The fundamentals—don’t skimp on them
V. Target priorities
VI. Hitting a moving target
VII. In the melee
VIII. How to avoid getting shot
IX. Training drills

4. Intro to small unit tactics
Saturday afternoon
Recommended equipment: whatever you use on the field

I. What are some of the tactics out there?
II. What to do to be effective as a team.
III. Different techniques and approaches
IV. Drills

[Big King Jimmy]

I'm recommend everyone whose even a little interested to check this out. Kyrian is about as old school a Bel fighter as they get, and he's got a lot of knowledge to share, and he's a very good teacher.

[p_quick]

kyrian, if you would like any help, or just a pel for the class let me know i'd love to assist you.

[Kyrian]

kyrian, if you would like any help, or just a pel for the class let me know i'd love to assist you.

Thanks for the offer. I'm definitely going to take you up on that, especially for Friday's classes, 12 shots and offensive shield work. I can PM you my outlines if you'd like to check them out.

[p_quick]

pm away =)

[Kyrian]

pm away =)

You should have them now.

[Avani]

These classes were amazing, thank you so much for teaching them.

[Nikola the Bear-hat]

I would like to thank Kyrian for the classes he put on, fantastic, educational, and effective. I hope to attend future classes at future events.

[Kyrian]

My thanks for everyone who attended. I'll be posting my notes for all four classes by the end of this week.

[Kyrian]

Twelve shots (or is it angles?)
-1-6 chops
-7-9 wraps
-10-12 stabs
-Shots as a function of range
-Using numbers for drills and combos

Demonstrate the numbers, will go over in detail
Go over chops
-Try not to telegraph
-Angles
-Pair up and practice
-Blocked linearly

Wraps
-Go over numbers
-Don’t strongarm
-Don’t push with the elbow
-Power comes from the hips and lower body
-Movement is somewhat similar to a whip
-Don’t lock your elbow
-Starts out as a regular shot, but has wrist rotation at the end
-If your wrist is strong enough, add a little pop at the end
-Goes around linear objects
-Spend a lot of time developing proper form

Stabs
-Go over numbers
-Point control
-Don’t linger
-Fastest way to close range
-Stab angle as a function of arm rotation-Illustrate the circle
-Show pocket stab target
-J-hook
-Darkside
--Why I’m not showing it on shield side
--Shield in the way

Shots as a function of range
-Wraps have shortest effective range-close in;
--ineffective at long range,
--can be used at medium range but easier to block,
--May incorporate movement to effective range or step for power
-Chops are middle-range,
--can be used at close range but easier to block
--Good for transitioning between ranges
-Stabs have longest range,
--hardest to use at close range, can’t bring arm back enough
--can be effective at medium range

Developing combos and drills
-Developing your muscle memory and showing how certain shots can link together efficiently.
-rhythmic
-two shot combos-illustrate
-Point out that some combos naturally feel right based on body mechanics, others are awkward
-Practice with partner—call out numbers and execute, switching back and forth
-three-shot combos-illustrate
Practice with partner—call out numbers and execute, switching back and forth
-Incorporating footwork for advanced drills-touch on, changing speed of shots

The basics of offensive shield work (not including shield kicks)
----How to deliver and receive a shield bash
--Don’t be dumb. Be safe and use good judgment—true story, don’t be the guy who runs all the way across the field to shield bash a gimp by a sidewalk edge of the world.
--Don’t break your toys. Eventually you’ll run out of toys to play with.
--Falling
Don’t try to stop your fall with your wrists. They’ll break.
Use meaty portions of your body (butt, forearms, sides of thighs) and momentum to reduce impact
Tuck your head into your chest and lift your shoulders
--Aim for the shield, not the gap. If you hit the gap, your opponents are more likely to let you go by and hit you as you’re moving through. It puts you between two fighters. Watch for the scorpion wrap as you’re charging

----How to check
--Safety-you can check from behind but be smart about it.
--Less than two steps
--Hit and lift especially gimps. Don’t try and match levels
--Only use the force needed—don’t be dumb

---Shield bump
--Simple push with shield
--Disrupt opponent’s rhythm
--Close the distance defensively
--Use in combination, not by itself

----Shield punching
--More active and aggressive than bump
--Drive-by—using footwork and shield work
--Tabling-horizontal; obscures opponent’s line of sight
--Jamming the arm/armpit

----Shield hooking
--Leaves you vulnerable
--Open shield to slot or cross
--Short cross to opponent’s sword arm
--High cross to armpit
--Drop slot to opponent’s chest
--Use footwork to support

----Counters to shield attacks
--Try to move out of the direct line—step aside
--If you fall down, try to roll and get back up quickly
--Stay low if you can but watch for over-the-shoulder shots
--Pivot and hit on the way through
--Move to reposition
--Shield bumping
--Locking your shield in place


The Basics of Combat Archery (assumes you’re familiar with the fundamentals of archery)

----Safety
----Calling your shots
----Suggested equipment
----Don’t skimp on the fundamentals
----Target priorities
----Hitting moving targets
----In the melee
----How to avoid getting hit by a combat archer
----Training drills

I. Safety
-Remember that once arrow leaves rest, it’s out of your control
-Don’t fire straight in at shields, go for angles
-Bridge battles, never fire straight into front rank

-Safety rules
-Half-draw!!!!!!
-Grappling
-Dry firing

II. Calling your shots
-Know and understand the archery rules
-Following the shot
--Anything in the way
--What's behind the weapon
--Does it deflect at least 30 degrees
-Should I call the shot?
-Identifying the individual
--Ideally, by name
--By garb or weapon, as specific as possible
--Keep it short or it'll get drowned out
-Clarity from your perspective may not be the same from the target's
-If needed, discuss after the battle
--be calm, respectful.
--Don't let anger or frustration get the better of you if the other person's getting belligerent about it.
--Tell the person why you shot him/her. Some ideas: You had your shield away from your body. You were focused only on what was in front of you. You had a glaive supporting your line. I saw you calling out commands to the other fighters.
--Suggestions about how to avoid getting shot. It forces them to improve their archer awareness. It forces you to start looking for other exposed targets. If you want to get better, you can’t take the easy shots all the time. You have to challenge yourself to improve.

III. Recommended equipment
-Bow
-Arrows
-Quiver
--Back
--+Can typically hold more than hip quiver
--+Doesn’t interfere with leg movement
--+Arrows better protected than in a hip quiver
---Arrow must be spun or adjusted based on how it’s pulled out of quiver
---Hard to load, reload
--Hip
--+Generally quicker to nock than from back quiver
--+Can be drawn out to immediate nocking position
--+Easier to load and reload after battle
---Tangled in legs
---Potential for arrows breaking when you fall
---Shots to legs may break arrows
-Sidearm
-Shield: buckler or back shield

IV. The fundamentals—don’t skimp on them
-Proper body positioning
-Consistent firing position
-Repeatable
-Eliminating the variables to focus on aiming process
-Hitting what you’re aiming at

Aiming and the mental game

-Starting out with center of mass
-Group of 5 technique
-Increase range in measurable intervals
-Personal feedback with each shot
-Focus and visualization--see the path the arrow is going to take.
-Develop and trust your instincts--to the point where it "feels" right—practice, practice, practice
-Typical open shots-body
-Tighter shots-head
-No room for error-legs, small gaps

Range estimation

-What happens to an arrow at range?
-How to compensate-maintain your firing position, tilt at the waist
-Techniques for determining range—size of target, comparison

V. Target priorities

-Leaders and "power players"
-Other archers
-Polearms, spears, other red weapons
-Florentiners
-Other
--Shooting to foul the archer's shot
--Distraction
--Disrupting momentum

VI. Hitting a moving target

-Applying lead
-Anticipating the travel path
-What is your target doing?
-What's open?
-Adjusting for drop

VII. In the melee
-Shooting the gaps, between heads, between people
-Constant movement, don’t allow other archers to lock in on your position
-Ducking below the line of sight between shots
-Quick no-look loading
-Picking up arrows on the move
-Shifting your point of aim—lock in on a head or body, keep bow at same level but look like you’re aiming for a leg. Vice versa
-Half-draw when supporting the line
-Illustrate difference between laser and lob
-Firing over the lines—lobbing at other archers and leaders
-Identify opposing combat archers, scan for bow tips
-When rushed, practice drawing your sidearm and start moving

VIII. How to avoid getting shot
-Wear a helm. It is a fact that some archers enjoy shooting people in the head. If you have a helm, be wary of your open spots. True story at WPO: a spearman had a helm but it was open on the sides under his ears. I shot him there.
-Keep scanning for archers. Keep in mind that, just because an archer is not in your line of sight, he or she may still be able to hit you
-If you’re running and are getting targeted, change your pace. Stutter step. Change your direction. Don’t give the archer a predictable path to anticipate.
-Be aware the minute “lay on” is called. An archer may release an arrow as soon as it’s called.
-Throw a javelin at the archer. Even if it doesn’t actually hit, it may foul the shot.
-When charging, be aware that your most vulnerable points are either your head or your legs.
-Field awareness
-Remind front line to try and stop all missiles or they may hit something behind them.

IX. Training drills
-Train as you fight
-Static targets for honing your aim: gallon jugs, Gatorade bottles, 12 oz cans
-Human targets
--Body “T”
--Specify limb or body
--Holding shield
--"Aim small, miss small"
-Lobbing drill
--Firing over obstacle
--Person or obstacles, hitting target behind
-Combat archery drill
--Wear all your gear
--Fire and move
--Close range and back off
--Shifting left/right/diagonal
--Run, walk, stutter step, crouch
--Moving forward, whirl to fire

Basic small-unit tactics
-What is a tactic:
The basic tactics
--Single-flank envelopment aka hammer and anvil
--Double-flank envelopment

TOGETHER EACH ACHIEVES MORE

As a part of a team, you must effectively
-Engage, attack, defend-covering each other
-Communicate-warn of impending threats, synchronize
-Move-don’t trip or bump into each other, gaining a positional advantage

-Local numerical superiority, 2 to 1, 3 to 1
-If you kill one with no losses and then lose 1, you’ve killed two to your loss of one. Keep doing this and you will eventually win.
-Avoiding hitting the front
-Fighting in concert or splitting up
--Splitting may work better if you’re more skilled than your opponents
--Being aggressive
--Splitting requires less coordination, in concert requires more
--Can you handle the 1-1?
--Forcing opponents to react to you
-Hitting from different angles that can’t be blocked
-Incorporating reds and spears at range
-Working together-being effective by knowing your strengths and weaknesses, your teammate(s), your opponents, your weapon styles
-Setting up your opponent for your teammate’s shot
-Single opponent will try to maneuver you to block each other so he only has to deal with one at a time
-Creating the gaps, singling out
-Dealing with a larger group
--Mobility
--Putting them in a line
--Drawing out one or two at a time

-Drills
Fox and hounds, 2 to 1
Fox and hounds, 3 to 1
Fox and hounds 3 to 2
Fox and hounds 4 on 2 or 6 on 3
Freeze battles for full tactics

[Ignatius]

Any chance someone caught all or some of this on video? Just from the notes it seems like it would be awesome to have as a training tool on here.

[Kyrian]

Any chance someone caught all or some of this on video? Just from the notes it seems like it would be awesome to have as a training tool on here.

Unfortunately, no. However, I'd be willing to teach some or all of the classes at Geddon and Chaos Wars if people are interested.