Sick and Fencing

[j_v_lynch]

Gentle Readers,

I'm still sick. It sucks.

It did not stop me from attending the inagural night of classes at Ottawa Swordplay's new Sword Hall. Craig is living the dream and I'm getting to come along for the ride. He's not even asking that I chip in for gas.

My first class as an instructor is not until Monday, but last night we did the full Thursday schedule: Armoured Combat(Spear/Sword/Dagger, limited targets) , Close Combat (Grappling and Dagger) and Longsword. It was wonderful. I didn't have the energy for any freeplay other than spear but that's ok. It was fun regardless.

This evening, I brought David out to the hall for some practice for my prize. Lessons learned:

• Do not move forward without a plan. you cannot force an opening, you can only create a situation where they give you one.


• Give them a reason to move in. If they don't have an invitation, they will leave.


• Stringering inside works great for moving forward, but move into third as soon you lose contact. Don't push past horizontal.


• Respond as soon as they move forward. It's what you wanted, so disrupt their plan.


• Learn the Stringer without. you need an entry to that side which is not just arm sniping.


• don't lead with your face.

There are probably more, but I think that's enough for now.