I have not studied Meyer. I can tell you what a messer is, but not much more than than. Right now I am just trying figure out Tobler and Linholm's books on Ringneck. That is enought to keep me busy at the moment. That said, it may be time to expand the reading to what you suggest and try to glean lessons from some long dead Europeons. What do you mean by twitch style techniques? Like the zucken?
The stuff in Meyer and in Ringeck is the same at the root, which is plenty to start with. Meyer is a bit different in application, and much clearer in practice. Check out a translation of Meyer's lognsword at
www.scheilhau.org. As for Messer stuff, you'll find a lot on that same site that will get you going if interested. I really am planning on doing a web article as soon as I've got a digicam to use; I've been trying out my theory in sparring and so forth with a lot of success, so I think I'm getting ready to share more of it.
The twitch is the zucken, yes. Basically striking alternate long edge-short edge to alternate sides of the body/head and going up or down every one or two strikes. See Meyer's section on "Striking to the Four Openings" to see what I mean.
One criticism I have of law enforcement training is that you see it once in class and then never do it again unless you follow up on your own time. I don't mind spending my time on this, but it also isn't with any institutional training either. We were taught essentially the forehand and backhand swing from the shoulder (rather like the one handed diagonal zornhau attack) and a thrust. All to be targeted to either the forearm or common peronial (thigh) if possible to avoid injury and liablity. Simple stuff and I know there is far more to it, even if not what it is.
Clearly it is unreasonable to give anyone anything useful if they don't use it. The attacks you were taught...I'm suprised that they needed "training" (in fact, they probably didn't). What I'm proposing will be easy for us HES guys, and quite different for the rest of the world, I would guess. I am trying to keep it down to a few simple and easy-to-remember fundamentals.
As for liability...I hate that entire issue. It's just wrong. The "system" that I'm modifiying for ASP use is clearly one that targets the head in a life-or-death situation, but many of the techniques could be easily modified to do less damage to the head (due to the type of strike used, which isn't a full-arm wrath-blow until the "finishing move") or which could easily be targeted at the arms/wrists. Avoiding any injury to the other guy will be possible from the defensive manuevers planned (as they result in throws and locks that can become submission moves).
Finally, in all honesty, this is my first foray into modern self-defense and the like, so it's more of an experiment initially than anything else.
Jake
Sen. Free Scholar
ARMA Deputy Director
