by Gabriel P. Morley » Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:49 am
As a florentine fighter, you are specifically suited for attack. You do not have as much defense as a shield fighter, and though you can make a strong defense, this is not what your style excells at. Florentine is about attack, aggression.
That said, a lot of people are covering attack, but what will keep you alive and killing is defense. But I just said you are not built for defense, so I will note some of the basic fighting principles that florentine fighters must excell at to be good killers AND good survivers. These princlples are for any fighter, but as someone without a shield, these apply to you much more than a shield man, though a truly good shieldman will follow the principles as well, if not a bit more loosely.
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Mindful that you are an attack heavy fighter, and aggression is your ally, you must remember that when you are being attacked, you are at the disadvantage, and for you one of the best defenses is a good offense. If they can not swing because they are too busy blocking, you have the advantage.
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3 Defensive Rules
These are to be followed in order, and it takes considerable experience to know which one you will use at what time. This is something that can only come through experience and training, but knowing what to learn is helpful, and you must think on this.
1) If the shot will not hit you, do not react.
2) If the shot will hit you, dodge.
3) If the shot will hit you and you can not avoid it, block.
On 1. By react, I mean move or block. This allows you complete freedom and control of your actions. Any other way is allowing your opponent to control you. If your opponent will not hit you with his strike, and you do not react, your weapons and body are completely free to make a counter attack to kill or put your opponent on the defensive.
On 2. Dodging means moving your body without blocking. Many young fighters get locked into dodging back and away from the opponent. This is not the best way. Latteral movement, side to side, and at angles is the best method, as it keeps you near your target and in range of your own attacks.
You must learn to dodge in such a way as to allow you for a successful counter attack.
This allows your weapons to stay ready for a strike, keeping them from being tied up by an unnecessary block but you in range to strike back. You have complete control over your weapons, and you have given little control to your opponent over yourself. You have taken control of his attack and may return the attack freely to put him on defense.
On 3. You must block in such a way that it allows you a counter attack. This can be done several ways. One way is a strong block near your hand on your handle, allowing you a really solid block that allows you to counter attack with either a wrap shot around thier blade, or a quick slash that moves thier sword and wounds them at the same time. Another way is to parry the enemy strike away from you but allow them to keep thier forward momentum which will keep them from recovering to thier defense quickly and allow you to cut them.
Remember When you block you have given your enemy control over your weapons movements for the moment. the above methods for returning the momentary attack of your enemy into a defense is important. IE Do not block only to stop a strike. You must have a dual purpose to return an attack.
These 3 rules are supposed to be followed in order. There are exceptions to the order and 2&3 may be combined many times and many ways. This is a basic order for learning.
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On offense.
Having 2 weapons gives you significant advantage on a single armed opponent, even shield men. learning to attack with your off hand strongly is important, as well as learning "Baiting" and Feinting both with your footwork (body movement and foot movement) as well as your weapons.
Throwing a quick feint toward the enemies shield side shoulder with your right hand while using your left hand to hit the lower sword side hip a split second later is a good weapon fake and often you can hit with both swings though the intention of the first was a fake.
Many people seek arm shots against you (as was mentioned above this by another poster as a good way to kill florentiners). Use this to your advantage by throwing fake mini shots that aren't even full shots to bait them into swinging at your arm. Use that moment to dodge thier shot or block it with one weapon while slicing thier arm off with your other weapon. This is a good example of baiting.
Moving your eyes and head movements, as well as your body toward an opponents right side while actually striking the left is a body fake that all too many people fall for. Thier senses scream to block thier right side because they see your body, eyes and head all aiming at it. It is a good ruse.
Having two weapons gives you massive ability at feinting and baiting, as well as massive block and counter attack capabilities. Combos are your forte and should be explored, remembering not to leave your defensive movements and theories out of mind in an all out berserker flury of blows, leaving you prone to a stab or inside slash.
Above all remember variety of swings, the defensive methods, and above all else, footwork.