all round solo training.

[Jeffrey Hull]

And I should clarify something that would agree with advocacy of warming-up, and to state that I think we are actually in more agreement than perhaps the parameters of a forum can easily convey.

On that aforesaid DVD, the Polish wrestlers "stretching" regimen was actually what I should have termed dynamic stretching or something similar. It is a regimen in between calisthentics and static stretching i.e. apparently the bad kind of stretching which everybody correctly dislikes. (Plus they did also show some flat-out muscular development exercises.) What that DVD shows is brilliantly simple and gets all major joints and muscle groups limber and ready for a workout, whether wrestling or fencing.

[Jeffrey Hull]

Sure - a waster is okay for beating up a pell. It is useful for that. But it is just pointless to do flourishes with a waster when a sword is the thing to use and the thing that is the goal for wielding.

By the way - I just made up that one little rhyme for purpose of this discussion - hah!

But it does describe how I feel. And I hope you enjoyed it for its fine poetic quality.

[Jeffrey Hull]

One last thing, as everybody must be weary of my successive posts:

Like Mike said, imagine a foe is actually before you in these solo routines. For example, such is really helpful, if say, you are doing a drill or flourish or whatever based upon the Vier Versetzen. Do so with a scene playing out before your eyes as if the foe were in each of the main Huter/Leger that the various Oberhauen of the V-V mean to counter in Vor or Indes; and accordingly do those Oberhauen to strike him. In fact, doing a tour of the V-V is one of the best things you can do in solo-work, I think.

Yay

[Jeramy Gee]

All of this is good advice. What is really important at the beginning stage is getting used to moving with a sword in your hand. Practice until the un-natural feeling stuff feels natural. Whether you're striking the air or the pell, be sure to mix it up between true edge (long edge) and false edge (short edge) strikes. As has been said, start slow so that you get the right edge position on your target. When you get really good at your edge placement, then slowly pick of speed, work combos, and increase the complexity of your footwork. Thrusting at the pell also isn't a bad idea. Lastly, be sure to throw cuts and thrusts from all of your guards. It is important to have a feel for what your options are from different positions.

I've even taped a waster to my pell so I have something to work around and bind with!

Good Luck!

Jeramy

[Jake Norwood]

I agree wholeheartedly on your waster comments, Jeff. Wasters are for beating on pells. Swords are preferred otherwise.

That being said, if all you have is a waster, don’t let that keep you from training…but upgrade when you can. And don’t buy crap, since a crap sword is probably not better than a waster.

Jake

[Stewart Sackett]

...and wrestling im going with ringecks stuff for now but i sadly can wrestle myself

For solo wrestling exercises: practice your footwork. Do front and back shoulder rolls & breakfalls. Practice bridging & shrimping on the ground & turning to quarters. Practice standing up. Practice shooting. Do exercises to strengthen your neck. Do not bridge on your head/neck.

Some examples:

Standing up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZsZTLRY_4Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0AJnnYUh4A

Shooting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfu1ikO__-s

Remember these are just exercises. They are strengthening the muscles you'll use when wrestling & practicing the motions you'll go through when you wrestle, but in any solo training you won't get the sense of distance, timing or pressure that exists with an actual opponent. Having said that, I think it makes a lot of sense to structure workouts like wind sprints. Do high intensity bursts separated by low intensity recovery periods to simulate the uneven pacing of an actual fight.

[nathan f]

so for weapons other than the longsword any drills or footwork i can work on? also thanks so far for all the advice i will get it down and work out some work out routine soon.

[Bill Goodwin]

everything mentioned, extremely valid from pell work (made mine portable from a 4x4 post and a wooden wire reel) for learning precision and control also, not just striking power , to warm -up / stretching ( a good 15-20 min power walk while doing arm / shoulder rotations), basic foot work & guards (I run everyone through these each practice session ). And also in favor of not using a wooden waster, go steel blunt / sharp, it will benefit form and action.

One thing to add that hasn't been touched on or very lightly.......

reading and research.......absorb as much text / manuscripts / fechtbuchs / videos as you get your hands / eye's on.

cheers,

Bill

[nathan f]

ok i have a question im considering getting the hanweii practical hand and half till i can get the money for better as a decent waster will cost nearly as much so should i get it? thoughts?

[Jeffrey Hull]

A friend of mine who has become waster-weary and who owns one of those Hanwei blunts (along with several authentic sharps too), and has used swords of all kinds and so forth, would probably advise that as better than getting a waster. He related to me that the Hanwei is not a perfect thing, is not exactly like a totally authentic replica sword (and nobody should expect it to be); but that it is a decent thing for the money, and surely more authentic of an ersatz than a waster. Perhaps that helps you.