This Wednesday we start at 7.30 inside as normal, please be there for 7.15. Many thanks, Dave
Archive for the 'Articles' Category
a rose by any other name would…be pflug, but it’s still fool to us:)
On the afternoon of the first day I got to teach, and I tried to give a crash course intro into Master L’s swordsmanship, everyone (all bar one) were very accomodating of my rational in naming the guards the way we do in the Fight Medieval schools(progressing low to high, plow, fool, ox, and day) which is based on hs3227a(Doebringer) the earliest found longsword manual, and not as you find them later(fool, plow, ox, day).
The reasoning we give to these always is they work as a mnemonic, as way to visualize and remember more easily, I feel this is what was intended in choosing the names originally.
My origional plan for the workshop had been to work through the breaking of each guard then show applications for each, however as we went through and observing the way people were stepping and moving in relation to the sword , it seemed sensible to change the structure to movement and angles, comparing the footwork similarities of thrusting from fool to fool(hs3227a fool) with a similar line for zorn to zorn.
This change of tack obviously affected the leval of the lesson, so I appologise to and thank those higher standard attendees who worked through patiently with those newer to this form of swordsmanship. 
God awful posture but look at the lines, the lines…
Most of this was to do with moving around the sword and using intersecting lines, something we will cover a lot in the up coming longsword dvd.
My focus throughout being, the mechanial science of the sword arts, not the hit and hope.
From there we shifted applying this offline movement to the Scheitelhau, and it’s use in breaking plow (hs3227a plow), throwing in simple applications and explanations (mainly working around the pressing of the hands), when there was individual differences in pressure.
look the invisible sword… he can’t see it then…
This is one of the main difficulties in teaching a large group a set technique as you can either attempt to force the group to give the exact pressure/shape desired(something we touched on) or adapt the response of the individual to the pressure they are receiving (this I tried to do in my hands on with each couple). I hoped this showed that both approaches are necessary, structure as the giver of the set piece (you have to attempt to give the correct pressure to help your partner) and adaptability one the part of the receiver(maintaining an open alert mind on the lookout for change). 
Wham you dress up like tweedle dee and the sword apears from nowhere…
Colin was helpful as always, in allowing me to illustrate point on were you would, and when you wouldn’t attack someone in plow, the students were great, patience and input from the more advanced, real effort from those new to the art. I hope they got as much enjoyment from taking the class as I did leading it.
more to come…next: THE COMPETITION
This weekend past I travelled to Wales to mc the 2 Days of the Blade/Knight Shop opening event.
The Knight shop have recently set up a full time training studio which is situated above shop, that makes it sound small, it is not, as the pics below will show, the studio is being run by Nathan, who deserves a huge amount of thanks for the organising he did. 
Bartitsu instructor James Marwood and myself posing in front of the studio mirrors.
A great deal of effort had gone into setting the studio in the way we wanted for the seminar, with Bryan even painting the competion circle to my specifications as a permanent ficture for the studio.
The seminars themselves I can only look at from an instructors point of view, James Marwood’s Bartitsu has evolved a lot since I saw it last, with cross referenced logics from other stick methods coming thick and fast, as always his class structuring was precise and measured, and how can you fault a class that uses strolling as a warm up:)
first there is stroll.
Then there is stab.
More to follow…
Potentially very good news from the Knight Shop, due to a change in the material being used in the Rawlings Red Dragon range swords, the blade weight has decreased significantly, this could be seen by some as a bad thing, however I feel this brings the range back in line with the original idea of the range.
If you remember back when the project started with the first Rawlings range, the plan was to have two ranges, one for sparring and one for drilling. then with the new Nylon range we tried to satisfy all camps with one blade.
Since then however further experimentation with materials has provided a better but lighter synthetic for the blade, this means that we will now have a lighter therefore safer blade aimed at the beginer and at larger competitions, and an advanced or Pro range aimed at well, advanced students and professionals.
So why the difference?
Mainly it is one of control, the lighter swords should be good for the three scenarios where there is maximum chance of accidental injury.
1: The beginner, who being unfamiliar with the art and it’s tools has not learnt control.
2: The instructor wishing to correct the imperfections of form of an energetic but exposed student. (for example striking a student’s exposed limb when the student strikes with a vigorous but undefended blow). A lighter correctional tool can save the student a lot of discomfort whilst encouraging good practice.
3: Larger competitions where due to adrenaline and ego the ability to control blows becomes limited.
all of these circumstances in my opinion warrant a lighter blade that still maintains the proper balance.
The Pro range will be significantly heavier and reflect the greater control expected from a more advanced practitioner. These will be more suited to drilling and for competition amongst those more familiar and controlled in their attack and defence. (ie those who really on skill rather than turning a blade art into a stick fight).
I’m reserving ultimate judgement until the weekend, but I think the two ranges are the right way forward.
Peter Lewis (right) deflects Pete “Iron” Maydon’s thrust and returns the favour.
Congratulations Mr Lewis, on Sunday just past, you showed the most massive improvement I’ve seen, you have stepped your training up a notch.
A massive leap in standard you can really be proud of, keep it up.
By instructor Peter Samworth: Down here at the Folkestone arm of the Boar’s Tooth Fight school we are continuing to train in the German tradition. We have been focusing on longsword, both unarmoured and armoured, with very pleasing results. We have spent the last few years perfecting flow drills that link together manuscript sections; these allow students to develop their skills swiftly and efficiently and vastly improves their understanding of the manuals.
In the New Year in we will continue training in the longsword, but will also introduce messer, dagger and even spear work into the mix. As the classes are small it allows us to train more intensely and for students to get closer supervision again allowing quicker progress through the system.
I will be starting a beginner’s course on Thursday the 4th of Feb, anyone coming to try out will get the second lesson free.
If you want to register for a class or want any further information you can contact me at samworthdecobham@yahoo.co.uk
Sadly due to the snow, training has had to be cancelled tonight as many train-lines are disrupted. Next Wednesday is on as normal.
Build a snow man and I’ll see you next week.
To celebrate the arrival of the Rawlings range training swords and the opening of the Knight Shop’s WMA academy we are holding
Two Days of the Blade
Feb 27th & 28th
Conwy, Wales
Train FREE for two days with some of WMA’s biggest names.
Confirmed classes
Bartitsu with James Marwood.
Fiore Dagger with Colin Richards.
Fiore Longsword with Matt Easton.
Liechtenauer Longsword and Lutegerus Sword and Buckler with David Rawlings
also there will be a
Mini Open Rules Tournament
Test Cutting
and of course the chance to try out the Rawlings line swords.
Registration is required, but again this event is completely free.
To register please email daysoftheblade@hotmail.co.uk
T Shirt: the ever fashionable Fight Medieval Shirt: available from us.
Black breaches: PBT UK
Mask: Duellist UK, Leon Paul, or PBT.
Gloves: Personal taste, no studs chains or holes.
Socks and training shoes again personal taste, black or white only please.
The one item not show in either of the pictures which is compulsory (for men at least) is a cod box available from many sports suppliers.
