Cyclical Movement

[Andy Spalding]

Today during free play, i noticed that as a whole, our study group moves in a linear fashion. We will circle and strafe from zufecten, but once we reach krieg, both people will move along the same line.

Can anyone suggest any drills that will help develop the habit of sidestepping and circling our opponent?

[Brent Lambell]

In my own experience, I have struggled with the linear-one-dimensional movement as well. For what its worth, I think most swordsmen I have known fight in a very linear fashion (particularly those with sport fencing backgrounds). I think its the traverse step could help, it has helped me add that extra dimension to my fighting. To train the traverse step I conciously include them in any cutting drills or flouryshing I do. In solo drills I try to use as many types of steps that I can - when Im in free play its harder to conciously work the feet, hopefully footwork is trained solid enough to let it go on auto pilot when necessary.

But the most helpful tool has been the pell, since Ive repaired it I have seen an improvement in my footwork in sparring. I still have a ton of room for improvement, but the stationary target of a pell forces me to control range more than the flourysh or our solo cutting drills (10 cuts and 16 cuts). But since its a stationary target, I can concentrate on footwork only if I need to as Im not worried about the opponent's actions. Plus, look around and find the other pell threads and I think its clear the pell is one of the most vital training tools we have at our disposal.

[Benjamin Smith]

One of the big issues is if your opponent is consistently retreating, a valid tactic. New people especially retreat quickly and often this encourages linear fighting to get maximum distance. Part of it is just a matter of experience.