Entering suggestions.

[Sal Bertucci]

Ok, I'm working on longsword. I have a sparring partner, but he's inexperienced. He's never had training in anything before, but I've taught him the bare bones of it. That's the background.

I'm working on "Ringen et Swertch" (Did I spell that right?) because I've never done that before, and it makes it a bit easier on my partner. My problem is though, I can't seem to pull the techniques off. I either get hit, or the technique doesn't end up right. (We're both "arms akimbo", I wasn't able to get the strike in, failed to bind the arm, etc.) I think part of the problem might be the way that I'm starting the technique, or beginning the execution.

I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions on thing I might do to improve on that.

Thanks,

Sal

[Brandon Paul Heslop]

Don't expect the first attack to hit home. Even untrained fighters have reflexive instincts. The problem is he knows what you're doing. Tighten up those movements, leave nothing to waste, telegraph less. Unfortunately, your buddy knows what you're going to do; so in the meantime, try something else. Pass forward with a thrust (or whatever). As you've mostly been a cutter (or aso it seems), it will take him by surprise, and he'll most likely pass back. Then make it look like you're going to cut high. Then cut low. If that fails, pass forward again with a wide step, while thrusting again. Extend your arms as far as they can go. Never buy into that "you're over-extending" crap. Make it explosive, fast and furious. If that fails, start Zwerch-ing like crazy.

A few rules of thumb:

Don't attack and then freeze. A lot of new swordplayers do this. Some call it "posing." You try and do it just like it looks in the manual, and when it doesn't work, you freeze. Keep moving. As Grandmaster Lichtenauer said, "He who stands in a guard invites death." Let one attack flow quickly and vigorously into another, and step in, to the side, or out with most. If he's too busy defending himself, he can't counter attack. You will eventually overwhelm his defences and hit him.

Control him by controling his blade. From the bind, step rapidly to his side and clip him across the face with a Mittelhau. From there, chop down to his forearms, and Unterhau him to the face \ neck. Your only thought should be "KILL KILL KILL!" The bind is where it's at. If he tries to grapple with you, slice him (but do it fast). Most beginning strikes fail. Entering is only part of it, it's usually only how you safely get to the part where you can really hurt him. You want to bind with him, because from there you can control him (it all comes down to knowing how).

Be cunning, and never reveal your intentions. Mix it up. Strike to different openings \ targets rapidly, then suddenly attack the same one twice. As a beginner, he won't expect that. When he's caught on, make it seem like you're going to strike to the same target twice, then cut \ thrust somewhere else. This will keep him apprehensive (which means he'll be too busy thinking of how to defend against you to attack). A feint I recommend: a high cut that suddenly fades into a thrust in the belly. Works a lot of the time.

Hope this helps.

-B.

[Brandon Paul Heslop]

Ah. It seems I should read the entire post before responding. You're working on Ringen-am-Schwert. Well, in that case, make sure you smack his sword off to the side vigorously with your cross before you try and pull of a grapple.

-B.

[Benjamin Smith]

Move at him more aggressively. You probably aren't getting in close enough. You have to overcome your instincts and move toward the attacking blade. If there is a specific technique you'd like to discuss we'd be happy to help.

[Sal Bertucci]

Thanks guys. I'll keep those things in mind as I practice. I appreciate the help. I'll let you know how he takes it.