Sparring the HDGD sparring champion of Seoul 2004

[Anthony Boyd]

Lance, from watching yourself on video, what do you most want to improve in your own performance at the moment?

[JeanryChandler]

Lance, I don't think Alfreds bouts are a direct comparison, as you have different fighting styles and skill levels.

For the record, it looks to me like what you did right about the end of ronud 9 is exactly what I was suggesting. I don't understand your point system but I noticed you gave yourself a lot of points for that one!

Also, regarding late hits, I think it is good practice to parry even "post mortem" strikes. In a real match, you might deliver a mortal wound to someone, and they might continue to strike one or several more times.

Finally, as far as non-lethal wounds go, the location of the wound may not say much about it's lethality. At the Wisby battlefield in Sweeden, 75% of the of the skeletons they recoevred which showed signs of injury had cuts to their lower left legs. They were 'non lethal' injuries but they ended up dead. Something to consider <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />


J

[Lance Chan]

Speed can always be improved by fine tuning techniques and I would also like to be able to counter the single hand strikes of Jason, either using void counter or parry counter. I also would like to be immune to his feints. <img src="/forum/images/icons/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[Lance Chan]

Well, the round 9 one is exactly a retreating parry counter and void. (Retreating, parry the jumping overhead cut, counter cut at his head while in the same time voiding the belly cut)

Now as you see, that is only feasible because I have a longer sword. Exactly that means the hanging guard doesn't save me from a follow up belly cut. That is the reason why I don't initiate the fight by go right in, parry and cut his head because I will end up with my belly cut.

We do try to avoid and parry post mortem strikes. If not, why would I void his cuts by getting away even after my cuts have hit?

It seems to me that you do not understanding the fact that we're not using sword and shield as your videos did, thus the ability to attack and defend in the same time was not comparable. It was hard to attack and parry in the separate locations in the same time with a single sword. For example, if I cut his leg, it means I can't parry my head with my sword in the period of my sword's follow through action. If I cut his hand, it means I can't parry my other places since my sword is following through the cut.

Then of course, if I just "tag" him and place my sword ready for parry, it could be faster. But then as you know, I cut as if I use a real sword, and I have to cut through the target to finish the cut, that means there have to be follow through.

Moreover, just as your mention of Wisby wounds, many of my cuts could lead to lethal results after disabling the opponents.

[JeanryChandler]

I've been using longsword almost exclusively since Southern Knights, as I've been trying to learn it better. The suggestion I made was meant for Longsword. I believe when someone is telegraphing an attack, you can counter and cut without exposing yourself to a second countercut.

I don't mean to be insulting or to annoy you with my suggestions. Maybe next week if I get a chance I will try to get a film clip of what I mean, with a longword.

As for Wisby, well... exactly!

J

[Alfred Wong]

Jean,

Well you have to understand that Lance is a very careful guy, and he seldom use parry... he would evade most of the time.

Actually there's risk at getting close, even parrying is risky. Doubling by the opponent, is the main problem, I suppose. They won't just get binded dead and stand there, right?

Maybe to comment Lance in an easier way, he is a speedo-brutal butcher with a pair of very quick feet. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> Thus it's his style that's seldom block, but play safe and evade <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

Anyway I look forward to your video... I need more parrying practise and evading footwork practise tho.

Alf

[James_Knowles]

I'm speaking to the principles, not commenting on Lance or anybody else here.

a slightly more aggressive style in countering.

As a rank beginner, I've found this to be true. Aggressive indes/nach countering is hard but much safer in my limited experience. It's hard because it relies on timing, which takes a lot of effort and practice to learn.

For example, when somebody faster strikes Zornhau and I'm on the defensive -- I've found that sidestepping with aggressive counter-striking (e.g break his Zorn with another Zornau) allows me to not just defend, but to retake initiative, e.g. follow up immediately with an unterhau to the head, round through to use a plunging cut, pommel strike, etc.

That's what I'm finding fascinating in Ringeck. It's aparently in the other manuals, but I'm most familair with Ringeck.

I've learned to appreciate the masters' commentary that the best defense is a good offense, so to speak. I don't think that they mean to always attack first, but when defending to actively take the initiative, which cannot be done through defensive action.

Lastly, I've seen many references against standing statically waiting to attack or defend. I'm still trying to understand moving through guards, but it can confuse and reduces an opponent's chance to meisterhau your static guard. I believe I also saw this in the videos from the IG last year.

Anyhow, random rattling from my head. YMMV.