Prize bouting at the Gathering

[Derek Wassom]

I just wanted to butt in and say that watching the SFS testing was as much fun as it was enlightening. I train alone (not for long I hope) and I don't get to see much sparring, and of course, I do't get to do a lot of it myself.
It was real eye opening to see people fight with real earnest, not just see snapshots and short video clips.
Both Tim and Jake showed a great amount of skill and timing, along with outstanding endurance. I was very impressed.
My only regret was that I did not get a chance to get in and participate with the sparring, because I was given the task of scoring the bouts, but that was quite an honor in itself.
I only was able to spar briefly with Jake a while back where he severely trounced me <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" />.
Great job, fellas.
<img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

[TimSheetz]

Stewart,

It is your fault that that technique has come to the forefront of my training regimen. You will see that one again! My elbow is fine, just bruised the muscle. That which hurts, teaches, eh?

The chance to face so many folks that you have never sparred before was a HUGE treat. Thank you all for making it such a memorable event.. you are all contributors to the best vacation I have ever had.

I reviewed my video last night and I can say that you (Stewart F. ) and Todd Sullivan were very challenging.. as far as I recall, Todd is the only guy I know to use some of my 'signature' techniques agsinst me to great affect - I learned that a couple days before the event as we sparred.. I knew I shouldn't have sent him video footage of my sparring!

I appreciate the kind words from folks. Thanks. I have so much more to work on.

Aside from my own negative critiques (I made some HUGE mistakes) I have a few general comments/observations categorized by weapon systems.

Sword and Buckler: I think in general, the sword and buckler users needed to press the attack much more. I think most lingered out at my long range far too much. I'd say that the sword an buckler need to force an action, making the long sword commit, then control the situation as you press in to your optimum range. Just my opinion...

Long Sword. The most challenging opponents had one thing in common (more than one but this is important): Their movements were efficient and moved from attack to attack or attack to guard with very little wasted energy. Those who went to my 6 AM PT - you have those exercises to increase dopple strike speed - it will also increase your sword speed in general. Can't wait to see your speed next year! (heh, heh).

Sword and shield: Personally, I was disatisfied with my performance against this system. Not having a shield using opponent to practice on limited my options and I didn't feel I was "in the game".

Thanks again, guys!

Tim Sheetz

[Jake_Norwood]

Tim-

I'll add that the Sword and Shield was the most challenging. I think I lost almost half of those matches. The spear and sword and buckler I train against. But not the shield. I knew the theory, but I'd never engaged in the practice.

Jake

[Scott Anderson]

Jake, i'd have to talk with Brian but we might be able to help with the sword and shield bit. we've been working with them a bit.

SPA

[Bart Walczak]

Truly, I haven't seen all the bouts, because I was in the meantime talking to different people around. So as you said, my view is skewed. I saw a lot of excellent ones too. It was just an impression I got from watching some of them.

Stu - thanks for the compliment <img src="/forum/images/icons/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Maybe what I do is somehow limiting my sparring capabilities (and certainly almost total absence of sparring doesn't improve it either), but I am just curious whether it is possible to use techniques just from Liechtenauer and still prevail <img src="/forum/images/icons/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Consider it a martial experiment and validation of L's system <img src="/forum/images/icons/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[Jake_Norwood]

Bart-

I've been applying the stuff we picked up from you and Ochs religiously since getting back, to see the difference. I think that the Liechtanauer stuff is fantastic--the best I've seen--but one must be a fighter in order to really use it. I'm glad that I've spent a few years honing my ability to strike with intent, distance, timing, and force. These things are allowing me to apply this "new" stuff to great effect. I think perhaps the problem that some of you all are having is that you move straight into the teachings of the masters without ever playing like boys, as surely our predecessors did for years before attempting a great deal of science.

Jake

[Guest]

Bart, I saw you bouting with Fab and was impressed by both.
It seems that you both know what you're doing and not inventing something at the moment. I think you got something there and inspired me in being more manual like in my bouts, aside this no one could ever argue that you do not strike with intent <img src="/forum/images/icons/smirk.gif" alt="" /> .
Carlo

[Bart Walczak]

Carlo:

Yeah, poor Fab... It seems that striking people's hands is becoming my habit... <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

Jake:

I used to "fight" a couple of years ago when I was in the reenactment, but then I decided I need a break. You're probably right about playing though <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> Maybe I'm a bit too tense and stiff <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

Bart, the padding of the swords you were using was too soft and you were not wearing gloves. Ok you stike hard so it's partly your fault, but swordmaking and protections are the real issues in that incident. Making a good padded long sword is really hard.
I had a good number of sabre-backsword long bouts in Old Sarum, most with wasters and got nothing worse than bruises. But you can pull cuts with these weapons and mantain the sense of the bout, it's not so with long swords which are the most problematic weapons as long as safety goes <img src="/forum/images/icons/blush.gif" alt="" /> .
I'd say that strong gloves and helmets are mandatory, a padded fencing jacket would be really nice, hard padding is nice too, then, and only then comes control.
I gave Fab a (padded) sabre cut on the mouth, I did not hurt him, but I should have insisted in using masks, so I'm guilty myself.
Poor Fab
BTW: while you were teaching long swords, me and Ralf were entertaining Salisbury people with single stick and sabre duels <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" /> in the post renaissance section of the demos.
Carlo

[John_Clements]

12 new pics of the bouting have been added

[John_Clements]

Some vids of the bouting are now up

[Shane Smith]

As vicious as the counter cut following my failed left handed sling in that pic above looks, Tim actually missed with that cut as I did just barely void and counter.We eventually closed to grapple from there (both of our waster bouts ended in grapple range I think).That said,the one video of him cutting my hand during padded weapon play with a beautiful one-handed sling while I stand there like a dummy is just...PRICELESS <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" /> What on earth was I thinking <img src="/forum/images/icons/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />