Style for beginning longsword

[Derek Shannon]

For beginning longsword training, does ARMA focus on the German style, Italian style, some combination of the two, or is it left up to individual preference? And are there any specific drills (individual or partner) that are recommended? I've seen mention of tiprogression & footwork drills, but no description or video of what they actually are.

Thanks,
Derek

[Sal Bertucci]

ARMA suggests using the source texts holistically, and while some members have higher understandings of certain masters there are none that are explicitly preferred by the organization.

[Jonathan Newhall]

Generally ARMA suggests you attempt to learn from as many masters at once as is possible - I'm sure their specific training programs are designed for this, but I personally decided to focus on Liechtenauer first to achieve the basics and then branch out to the other styles by the other masters later. I have a feeling I'll instinctively call stances by their german name, but other than that it's probably the simplest way to get started without using an actual ARMA program. But, remember, the more different systems you learn the more prepared you will be, so never just learn a single system and stick to it. ARMA is right about trying to encompass all of the material available rather than sticking to a single source, it's just that I started with one (german school) and intend to branch out after I attain the more basic skills taught by all schools, just I'm using the german one as my base rather than another.

As for specific drills, I don't know any real "official" drills. Making your own works fine once you know what you're supposed to be practicing. For instance, you could make a drill on footwork that focuses on how to properly use the passing step, or any of the other steps, really. Simple repetition and practice is the key to any drill, so just pick whatever it is you need to work on (a certain footwork step, the guards, striking from a certain position in a certain manner, et c.) and do it a dozen times. If you feel it needs more work, do it another dozen times! :p

While I'm not ARMA by any stretch of the imagination, if you need any advice on how to start out before you can make it to a 1.0 (as ARMA so readily suggests!) I'd be glad to be of assistance based on my own experience. Also don't worry about getting a partner for, well, a while. You have a lot of material to cover before you have to bother with another person

[Derek Shannon]

Thanks for the info. It sounds like I've taken a similar path so far - I've been focusing on Liechtenaur/Ringeck techniques with a few others in the area & then making up my own individual drills like you suggested. I was mostly poking around to find out how the "official" ARMA training starts off & if there are any specific drills that people find more useful than others. Maybe that kind of stuff is restricted to the members only site?

[Aaron Pynenberg]

Helo Derek,

Good questions, and probably the #1 problem that RMA faces when "new" people begin training in the art.

Every RMA group out there has different core set of beginer stuff that they use to teach what they describe as the "basics", arising out of differeing sources that they are subscribing too.

ARMA does have a set of standard exercises and drills that we refer to as our "armatura". These exercises and drills, help to develop your sense of timing, distance, leverage, and preasure. They are not meant to focus on one source or another and do not subscribe to any school (as there is really no such thing).

These armatura are things which help to make ARMA different from other groups but not really because we like keeping secrets from people, and more because we just keep them in-house and change them from time to time, based on current information.

I think there may be some descriptions of some of them on the public site..anyway, good luck to you on your journey!- AP