More or Less new.

[Stefan_Wojciechowski]

I think I signed up here awhile ago, but I forgot my account info, so here I am again. As you can see my name is Stefan Wojciechowski, I'm 17 years old and have always had trouble with instruction when it comes to sport fencing, kendo, etc. I like to free play a lot with friends, but I find that there never really is a clear cut winner in these fights. I'd like to learn traditional renaissance sword play techniques and apply them in my free play. But I have a few questions for you.

When you practice different cuts, parries and counters, do you get better because your body learns to react to certain attacks, or is it the knowledge that "this counter will make an opening here and therefore will strike there." type of thing? I don't know if that made sense or not, but I find that in my own free play there's a lot of simultaneous hits than I'd expect in a real fight and whatnot. It just doesn't seem real to me, so I find myself trying to educate myself in real techniques in the hopes that my fights will become...more realistic. sorry for the long post!

[Keith Culbertson]

Welcome Stefan,

first realize that the principles of ARMA follow a much older, different and very martial skill set than the sports of fencing and kendo. Please review the basics of medieval martial arts on the site; I especially suggest an exploration of such concepts as footwork and timing, master cuts and other counters, and full intent (speed at least, control the force). Yes, you will have a double hit at times in freeplay of any kind, and you will get used to opponents as well. You will learn skills in muscle memory as well as tactical thought throughout a fight and your practice. Be calm and centered in a fight, perceive all around. In any case, be patient and persevering---there is no magic formula, just hard work.

best

[Stefan_Wojciechowski]

Thank you, I'll take a look into mastercuts and counters for now.

[LafayetteCCurtis]

When you practice different cuts, parries and counters, do you get better because your body learns to react to certain attacks, or is it the knowledge that "this counter will make an opening here and therefore will strike there." type of thing?

I'd say the answer is both--and you can only learn it through experience.

Just throwing in my two cents.