David
Forum Replies Created
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I keep forgetting to post in here. My camera’s memory card filled up and I was too dumb to remember that I have a phone with a camera in it. So…the only footage I got was of us without any protective gear on, my beat to his sword followed immediately by my realization that I had moved way faster than speed 3, and a pause while we chuckle. Not much to critique.
In terms of the actual fencing, I had a few good moments when I seemed to be fencing better than I ever have before. I had a terrible early introduction to longsword…for about four years…and developed a bit of a mental block with it. This seems to be passing now. I had some idea of what I should be doing, if unable to execute (which I expected), and even more importantly to me, I actually knew more or less what had happened in each exchange. I wish I could comment with confidence on my posture, but no video. I did feel like I was moving much better, and I don’t recall being out of balance at all, which is also a new experience. My focus…foci…were to at least be in recognizable postures as often as I could, and not to attack with abandon. Not perfect, but I think improved. If I had to summarize briefly, it would be something like “I finally understand how a longsword works and have some solid direction on how to make that happen.” Another plus was that I didn’t feel like I had to fence from posta longa or die immediately. And hey! I just realized I actually stayed in the bind at times. That’s unheard of, unless it was forced on me, previously. All kinds of stuff changing for the better. If I could actually get off the couch and do some drills, who knows what might happen?
Further good news is that Jacob and I now have a standing date to fence once or twice a week, and he’s going to invite another guy from the local club, so I should be able to get some solid practice against the evil Germans.
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I forgot to say I’m planning to shoot video.
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Okay, my plan is to train this week for at least an hour each on today, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
I’m not planning specific days’ sequences, just following the SPM curriculum loosely. My general outline is to start with reps of forms for warm-up and posture, then do reps of individual skills with varying focus, starting with mechanics slowly and allowing some martial snap for fun.
Today I did unarmed poste, armed poste, and cutting fundamentals, followed by a whole lot of fendente. I lost count of reps. In subsequent days I’ll mix in the forms I remember well and learn some I’m shaky on, and focus on sottani and mezzani.
Finding my practice space annoying for the linear forms like fundycuts. I’m used to training cuts in one place, switching feet, but it’s starting to feel limiting.
I’m really looking forward to the Art Of Sword conference this weekend, and training around the sessions. I plan to set up my room like I did for Sunday sessions during SPM so I can swing and listen.
Also excited as a local HEMA friend and I are going to fence on Monday. I’m really interested to see if my fencing has changed at all. I’ll record our bouts and post them for all of you Masters Clubbers to hash over.
Attached a pic of Tycho, supervising my training.
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Thanks, I was aware of that. Devon has mentioned several times that he’s making exemplar videos. I was hoping for those. Getting caught up using the Sunday videos is really difficult.
You know, never mind that. At this point, I need to know if there’s anything I absolutely have to know in order to understand tomorrow’s class. If you could tell me that, I’ll try. What, if anything, from this week will cause me to become lost and overwhelmed again, if I don’t know it by tomorrow?
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Thanks.
The forms?
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Also, reviewing the end of this past Sunday, “cutting through longa,” where would I find instruction for that? I don’t remember learning it.
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Measure and Thrusts, in order.
I need work on the sequence of the measures one, have to hesitate sometimes. I really want to fix my posture.
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Two videos to share here. Foundational Cuts, another iteration, and the unarmed poste, this one with a focus on posture. My shoulders are terribly rounded and my head sags forward in the armed forms.
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Sorry to hear this, Daniel. I spent a couple days with a back spasm myself and couldn’t stand the sitting around so I did the poste progression à bunch in really slow motion. I was surprised at how much I was able to improve. Hope it clears up fast!
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Armizare it is! Cheers!
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Thanks!
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Cuts are looking good! I didn’t notice anything glaring. Maybe work on eliminating the small hesitation at the start of the sottani.
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Oh, good eye! I thought the thrusts were weak as well. Thank you!
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Thank you! I’ll take a closer look at those fenestri.
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Hi, Quintin! Looks great to me. Very smooth, and your posture/body mechanics are solid. You might try adding just a pinch more martiality/intention to your thrusts.
