Ottawa Swordplay Videos - updated (July 2, 2012)

[Richard Marsden]

Afterblow = John and I don't use afterblow, bear in mind he and I aren't preparing for tournaments, we're sparring to get better and part of that is understanding where we get hit and when. However, I do see the point for those who use it. When John and I fight other people from the other group we train with, we have to alter our behavior a little bit because they do use an afterblow. One way to counter this is to strike in single-time. IE- when you stab them, you have your sword positioned in such a way that they can't move a whole lot. When you cross at the narrow bind, go to hand to hand, and if they keep 'wriggling' after a light pommel whisper something in their ear.

As for cuts, I see where not being used to an afterblow can cause issues and it has afflicted John and I before. My favorite is when John struck a guy on the head.

1....2..... the guy then struck John in the knees. Hard.

Langort = Here's how we Fiore fans use it. Or, at least the group I work with, I shouldn't speak for everyone!

Proceed in longa/langort/long point, thrust if able, remember the blade can pull into a window/ochs (kinda) on either side and still land a thrust and provide coverage. Our rapier techniques ended up useful here in gaining mechanical advantage.

If the enemy tries to cut/batter your long point, simply push down on the pommel so the tip rises. The opponent's strike usually misses if they aren't deep enough and you can follow up with a thrust.

Or, if the enemy tries to close, or cut/batter your long point, pull your elbows to your chest, kinda like catching a football, and have the point of the sword aimed a bit above your opponent's head or pointed at it. This is bicornio/two-horned guard. This guard retracts the sword, so most diagonal cuts will miss, while more vertical ones will hit the guard and you'll be well-braced to receive even a powerful strike.

If your opponent goes to langort as well, if your arms are longer you'll have the advantage, if his are, consider a guard that isn't point forward, like Middle Iron Door/Alber or trusty Vom Tag.

Things to watch out for.

Your opponent reaches out and grabs your extended blade with his off hand and yanks. John does this to me in one of the videos and it catches me off-guard because I assume hand to hand won't occur at long range! I alas, am not a magical sensei. I eat thrusts all the time.

Your opponent closes in fast, racing past the point. This is our group's usual solution to long point.

Hope these ideas can be incorporated into what you do.

[Joey Nitti]

Or, if the enemy tries to close, or cut/batter your long point, pull your elbows to your chest, kinda like catching a football, and have the point of the sword aimed a bit above your opponent's head or pointed at it. This is bicornio/two-horned guard. This guard retracts the sword, so most diagonal cuts will miss, while more vertical ones will hit the guard and you'll be well-braced to receive even a powerful strike.

hmm I'm just trying to think of the german equivalent of that. Not that I have any problem with squishing in some fiore into my style, but I'm just curious as to what the Liechtenauer equivalent would be. I guess it would just fall under the category of pflug, albeit held very high? I'm not sure.

Richard, I will definitely try to keep all these long point techniques in mind, and maybe try them out this saturday. see if I have some success. All the feedback is much appreciated my good sir

[Richard Marsden]

Not a problem! I'm sure some of the German folk here have some langort advice!

Get video if you can and see how it goes!

[Andreas Engström]

Or, if the enemy tries to close, or cut/batter your long point, pull your elbows to your chest, kinda like catching a football, and have the point of the sword aimed a bit above your opponent's head or pointed at it. This is bicornio/two-horned guard. This guard retracts the sword, so most diagonal cuts will miss, while more vertical ones will hit the guard and you'll be well-braced to receive even a powerful strike.

hmm I'm just trying to think of the german equivalent of that. Not that I have any problem with squishing in some fiore into my style, but I'm just curious as to what the Liechtenauer equivalent would be. I guess it would just fall under the category of pflug, albeit held very high? I'm not sure.

I would say that this is just a variation on the Kron.

-Andreas

[Ben Floyd]

Or, if the enemy tries to close, or cut/batter your long point, pull your elbows to your chest, kinda like catching a football, and have the point of the sword aimed a bit above your opponent's head or pointed at it. This is bicornio/two-horned guard. This guard retracts the sword, so most diagonal cuts will miss, while more vertical ones will hit the guard and you'll be well-braced to receive even a powerful strike.

hmm I'm just trying to think of the german equivalent of that. Not that I have any problem with squishing in some fiore into my style, but I'm just curious as to what the Liechtenauer equivalent would be. I guess it would just fall under the category of pflug, albeit held very high? I'm not sure.

Einhorn (One Horn (Unicorn)) looks similar to bicornio (two horns), but Finestre looks closer to Einhorn than Bicornio. I don't really know Fiore all that well though.

http://marylandkdf.com/wiki/File:Meyer_ ... word_E.JPG


On the left...

[John Harmston]

hmm I'm just trying to think of the german equivalent of that.

Check out Schlüssel

[Ben Floyd]

hmm I'm just trying to think of the german equivalent of that.

Check out Schlüssel

I was thinking that too, but they were saying the tip was pointed up, like Einhorn. I think the arm position of Schlüssel is closer though. On both of these, the shoulders aren't squared off to the opponent like in bicornio.

[Richard Marsden]

Anyone have some German-centric advice for him? I'm curious myself to see what other people's solutions and advice is!

[Brian Dyck]

Here are 3 more Vids from Ottawa Classical Swordplay

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMLTZKyfljw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71GCGu61FJ8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6W4HQXVkBs

Brian

[Jake Norwood]

Or, if the enemy tries to close, or cut/batter your long point, pull your elbows to your chest, kinda like catching a football, and have the point of the sword aimed a bit above your opponent's head or pointed at it. This is bicornio/two-horned guard. This guard retracts the sword, so most diagonal cuts will miss, while more vertical ones will hit the guard and you'll be well-braced to receive even a powerful strike.

hmm I'm just trying to think of the german equivalent of that. Not that I have any problem with squishing in some fiore into my style, but I'm just curious as to what the Liechtenauer equivalent would be. I guess it would just fall under the category of pflug, albeit held very high? I'm not sure.

Pull into Schlussel of Pflug (PvD style). This is just zucken or durchwechseln, depending on where you started and where you finish (i.e. how you counter-attack). Alternately, take the blow on the sword and work from there. Remember, part of being a German-style fighter is that you like the bind, you love the bind, you rule from the bind.

Jake