2012 Fechtschule America Wrap Up & Discussion

[Mike Ruhala]

Dang, and I thought I went to some tough schools!

[Dustin Reagan]

Dustin, I have to say that of the fighters I saw at the tournament, you were one of the most impressive. I don't think I saw anyone else use as many identifiable Kunst des Fechtens techniques as varied and reliably, effectively and consistently as you could. It's a shame your hand forced your withdrawal from the tournament. I say you are a certified badass.

Thanks for the compliments. i liked watching your sword & buckler fights, you had a lot nice exchanges and people didn't seem to know how to deal with the low stance you were holding.

[Ben Floyd]

To start this event better than last year, my student Gary Hendrick and I left early and stayed with Dakao Do. He is the local lead instructor for Swert am Swert and also teaches parkour. After driving 16+ hours, Gary and I went to both the parkour class and longsword class for some training and sparring. By the end of Wednesday night, we slept like dead people because we nearly were! Thursday we were alive again, and we had some good meals (lengua barbacoa and steaks), made some equipment runs, and had some great conversations. Dakao was a awesome host.

On the event, there were too many great moments to post, but here are some stand outs for me:

By far the most memorable for me was just before Eric and I fought the final longsword bout. I have it on good authority that Jorge Rodriguez starting chanting 'Ben, Ben, Ben' and was joined by a growing number of people. Eric's boys, not to be outdone, starting chanting 'Eric, Eric, Eric' and was joined by an equally large number of people. Before very long, the entire place was a cacophonous roar of 'ERIC' and 'BEN' being shouted by everyone there, or close to it. What an amazing feeling. To everyone there, thank you for that. Amazing.

The next was very much more subtle, but still very cool. While I was fighting Jay Noyes for the dussack final, I was provoking him by offering him my hand/arm as a target. Starting close to my shoulder, I moved it closer and closer to Jay. He knew exactly what I was doing, and every time I moved it closer he had a big grin on his face. I thought that was really cool.

I don't usually fight with a gorget, so I was constantly trying to find one to borrow during all of the tournaments. For everyone on here that I shared sweat with or offered, thank you very much. I wouldn't have been in two championship fights without wearing your sweaty gear. Christopher Desplas let me keep the gorget, which he made, after winning the dussack final while wearing it.

Otter Whitewater is awesome for giving me some powered aspirin for my right wrist, elbow, and shoulder before the top 16 dussack bracket began. I was going to fight left handed for those otherwise because my right arm wasn't working very well.

Natasha Darce is awesome for finding me and giving me the longsword and dussack from the finals fight. Purpleheart FTW. I also really liked checking out their newly designed dussacks and the heavier/wider one-off designs they showed.

My favorite class was Chris Amberger's. I don't really have anything but passing interest in Mensur, but it was very interesting.

Peanut fight.

I really only go to these events to meet with people and to fight in the tournaments. Both of those things went really well for me this year, so I had a blast. Of course, I would have had a blast even if I lost all my fights to good fighters. I really enjoyed talking to some folks from the forum which I already 'knew' vicariously through the net. I've always liked putting a face to a name. I came away with quite a bit of work to do for folks, so that's good as well. I hope to see everyone again next year.




That's me since leaving... for so many different reasons.

[Myles Cupp]

I have to say that the Bolognese class was instrumental in being able to be king twice in the S&B tournament. So, I owe a great deal of my success, as modest as it is, to Steve's excellent instruction and drilling.

Music to my ears! Seriously, it was great having you (and everyone else) in my classes. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to cross swords--I really didn't figure all of the time and logistics of freeplay at this event and ended up not having time to do any. I promise to rectify that next time we meet, then you can make me feel like a fantastic instructor by using all the material I teach you to kick my ass.

Steve

It would be my pleasure. For your benefit and for those who didn't attend the class, Roberto and I made a quick video running through the plays we learned in your first class. Forgive the sloppiness on my end; I was having difficulty remembering everything already:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3GEGlKc ... e=youtu.be

Also, in my first S&B bout, I tried to execute one of the techniques you showed us but did so unsuccessfully:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hDJGOKH ... F9_0mTd0E=

Starting at 1:20, I initiated a feint to my right which I counted on Arturo seeing as a feint. I wanted him to void to his left (which he did). I then wanted to roll my cut into a thrust to my right side from the left where Arturo had now moved himself. Unfortunately my footwork carried me forward far faster than I could turn my hand and my point missed Arturo's torso and I pretty much ran into his countercut.

I still have lots of training to do. Must do better next year!

[W.T.Heinz]

I had a great time at Fechtschule America. I apologize for the laconic languor I fell into Saturday; the cocktail of copious amounts of alcohol, nerves and my introverted nature do that to me. Some of the highlights (in no particular order) for me were:

1. Hanging out with and having gps adventures with Michael Edelson. I am seriously going to change my middle name Mike and you are welcome to come live with us anytime.
2. Jean’s stories about old mining lore; the old gnome story being my favorite. Also thank you for motivating me to new heights during our longsword match.
3. Seeing my student and training partner Amanda kick some ass. Thanks for representing the Iron Crown Women’s Brute Squad…and for being the Iron Crown’s women’s Brute Squad.
4. Matt Galas’ guild life lecture. It was so fascinating I missed Axel Petterson’s second longsword class.
5. Hilarious group conversations watered with 1800 and led by Lee S.’s honey badger.
6. Making it past my pools and then being eliminated by the superlative Jeff Tsay and Jesse Tucker. Next year I won’t make it so easy.
7. The great conversations with Luis Preto, Ben Floyd, Sam Street, Jean Chandelier, Christian Trosclair, Michael Edelson, and Jay Noyes.
8. Thank you to Ben Floyd for all the great information, I am looking future correspondence.
9. Ben Jarashow being the junk in the trunk.
10. Super Sam’s cape and disarm during the dussack tournament.
11. My luggage being lost on Friday, but getting in at 1:00 am.
12. While looking intently for my luggage the lady next to me dropped her luggage while trying to retrieve it from the conveyor. I didn’t notice, but my wife did and moved quickly to help, when she did so I looked down and saw what was going on. The lady looked at me and said, “Thanks for the help dick!”
13. MmmmHmmmm. EZ pass.
14. Meeting so many new friends. My wife and I really enjoyed the comradery.
15. The tournaments. Just plain awesome.

[Mike Edelson]

9. Ben Jarashow being the junk in the trunk.

This is a story that has to be told. A bunch of us decide to go to this restaurant in the midst of suburban Houston and space in my rented Charger is limited. The restaurant is very busy, so a Mexican parking valet helps us find a spot. As we all get out of the car, Ben Jarashow jumps out of the trunk. The parking valet's eyes almost pop out of his head.

"I did not just see that!" he says, then turns and glares at Ben. "Are you Mexican??"

You can't make this stuff up.

[Jean Chandler]

You realize you just gave him a new nickname. From now on he is Ben "The Mexican" Jarishaw....

J

[Lee S]

Fechtschule america.

The Pros: Lots of them. The people, the parties, the conversations. A lot was accomplished in a single weekend.

This year it was all about the camaraderie for me, and a lot less about the competition.

It was great getting to be a part of the unofficial and non-existant Fechtschule Hooligan crew this year. You guys were great to party with, and I drank until my liver ached, and laughed until my abs hurt.

The people I got to fight this year were challenging and excellent. I took a few nasty injuries this time around, so on monday I plan on training again, and getting my conditioning and toughness up. * You haven't seen the last of me Nathan 'Frodo' Grepares... *

There were lots of people I had great conversations with, and really enjoyed watching the instructors teach, and watching the students in the classes.

The skill level in the instructors has gone up, mechanics and combative theories are much better than they were during the first fechtschule.

As well, it was nice to see Ben Floyd do so well. Hopefully his performance can help spring board his school, and really bring more students through his doors.

It was great getting to hang out with my EFC bros, Rob and Omar. It was fantastic to be able to gauge Omars improvements with the rapier, and I can forsee a great future for this group. In only two years they have grown immensely in both technical fighting ability.

SLUMFU - I met Jeanry at the first FA event I was at, and since have maintained a great friendship with him and Christian Trosclair. These guys are a class act, and have lots to teach, and brilliant ideas that will have an over all positive effect on the community. Eric - thanks for the kicks, i want my damn shirt And good on your for stepping up and winning after eliminating me. You showed a ton of character and skill in this tournament.

Sword on Sword - The Houston crew. First a special thanks to 'Super' Sam Street for taking care of me and my crew. Your a class act Sam, and one of these days you will have to come by and visit. Also Dakao, great conversations with you, I am looking forward to seeing what you can achieve in the next year or two. Nathan - You kicked my ass at the club, but its exactly what I needed to get better, thanks buddy... know that I will be even better next time we meet.

The Darce's: We as a community are really lucky to have them building our equipment. Natasha and Christian work extremely hard to make great products that we all test as hard as we can to see them fail... and its rare when I am able to break one of their products. It's always great getting to hang out with you guys, and if we are fortunate, perhaps we will get to see you in the Pacific Northwest at our 2012 event. Thank you guys for everything you do.

Steve and Kara Reich: Great seeing you guys again. Kara, its always great getting your perspective, and its great to watch you and steve teach with such beautiful flowing mechanics. Steve, great getting to hang out with you and exchange ideas with you again. I had a blast on saturday night, and I am looking forward to seeing you again.

Iron Crown - My fellow ass kickers from the PNW. Great to see Wayne and Amanda out kicking ass, and representing really well.

Jeff Tsay - Dude, we got eliminated by the same guy... some dude who kicks alot and looks like he belongs in Greece... what gives... Anyway, Great seeing you again, and I hope to hear from you in the very near future.

Miah Smith - Great to party with you, and get to connect. I think your glove design is really good, Now you and your group have to travel down to the PNW and make the big party in august.

Kron: You guys rock. So much improvement, such little time. I really regret missing your sickle class Jason, I did however enjoy our free play with it.. perhaps next year.

Kristian: My finnish partner in Peanut apoclaypse, and random drunken Mayhem. Great getting to fence with you finally my friend. Your single sword game was really good. Next time its with longswords.

Axel - I should have my new sideswords by WWOC, lets have another match. We are over due for some longsword fencing though.

Mr Analson - Mike its always fun having you around. You made me laugh more than anyone, and you are always a source great conversation. We still need to fence with longswords, and I owe you my 'A' game.

Jay, Keith, and Al - It was great getting to touch base with fellow Meyerites... Thanks for the great conversation, and filling my head full of ideas. Also Jay, thanks for beating the hell out of my student Jesse.

To everyone else I missed... It was great meeting and hanging out with you all. I look forward to fencing more of you at the next event.

Oh.. the Hotel, fantastic. This was the best hotel I have been to at one of these shindigs. Food was excellent. A big Thanks to Scott and the Houston crew for pulling this off.

The Cons:

Judging - the big one.

I am sure I will piss a few people off with this one, but I have never been one to keep my mouth shut... so here it goes.

If any thing showed us that our skill level is now outstripping our ability to judge our matches, it was the tournaments in this event.

Two years ago, we were not even remotely at this level of ability and skill.

This year also showed how much work needs to be done with the judging, and rule sets. I observed the 'afterblow rule' repeatedly gamed, as well i saw the 'lightsaber' rule in effect, and the repeated failures in judging an adequate cut or thrust.

The franco-belgian tournament this year was my least favorite tournament... although it had some of the best exchanges, there were way too many people in the line up, the rule sets were overly complicated. This lead to less action, and too much discussion, way too much sitting around... and indecisive judging.

At least I can safely say that right people won in the dussack, and the longsword tournaments, both are proven in our community, and it was nice to see them finally take the pole position. Good job Ben and Eric.

With this being said, I believe this is only a momentary challenge, a growing pain if you will. Its a challenge that can and will be solved through measured experimentation, and implementing the correct training for future judging staff.

I for one, believe our community is most certainly up to the challenge.

Over all...

I can say that this was a successful event.

The food as always was fantastic, the beer great (love that Shiner Bock).

And the people easily the highlight of my trip.

All of you were great to hang out with, have beers with. I learned a lot, laughed a lot, and I am looking forward to seeing you all at future events.

Cheers,

[Steven Reich]

If any thing showed us that our skill level is now outstripping our ability to judge our matches, it was the tournaments in this event.

[...]

With this being said, I believe this is only a momentary challenge, a growing pain if you will. Its a challenge that can and will be solved through measured experimentation, and implementing the correct training for future judging staff.

Despite being a judge, I don't take offense and actually agree with this. I think the level of judging we want to aspire to is for every judge to be able to call the action as he saw it the same way that the director of fencing matches used to call the exchange for every point (i.e. what they did up to a few decades ago). I also think that some of this is a matter of the HEMA community "settling down" with definitions of common rules, e.g. what is an afterblow vs. what is a double hit, what is a good strike vs. what is too soft, etc. In any case, I enjoyed judging the longsword and sword and buckler tournaments and I hope no one is too disappointed with my calling (I'm not so naive as to think I didn't blow any calls, because I know I did).

Steve

[Steven H]

Despite being a judge, I don't take offense and actually agree with this. I think the level of judging we want to aspire to is for every judge to be able to call the action as he saw it the same way that the director of fencing matches used to call the exchange for every point (i.e. what they did up to a few decades ago). I also think that some of this is a matter of the HEMA community "settling down" with definitions of common rules, e.g. what is an afterblow vs. what is a double hit, what is a good strike vs. what is too soft, etc. In any case, I enjoyed judging the longsword and sword and buckler tournaments and I hope no one is too disappointed with my calling (I'm not so naive as to think I didn't blow any calls, because I know I did).

Steve

This is a good point. I feel that the distinction between a double and an afterblow was not represented in the calls. It seemed to me (and I was closer than the judges), that the same amount of time was sometimes called a double and sometimes an afterblow.

I'm personally of the opinion that the amount of time granted to land an afterblow was too short. Historically an entire step was allowed. And the rules were that a 'tempo' was allowed. By usual fencing terminology that's enough time for me to take a step. I don't recall an entire passing step being short enough to grant an afterblow in the tournament.

As it was, the distinction between the two was small enough that it seemed a bit random as to which was called: afterblow or double. That being said, I think the solution is a clearer expectation of how to call and practice. I aint sayin' it was easy for the judges.

Cheers,
Steven