Training Update

Rapier last night, a back-to-basics class. We spent a lot of time on getting the basic guard stance perfect, starting from a neutral standing position and constructing the stance step by step. Since it's a really useful exercise, here's the sequence:

1. Begin standing naturally, relaxed with feet hip-width apart, toes turned out naturally.
2. Turn heels out so that outside of feet are parallel.
3. Sink weight, transfer weight to left foot.
4. Bring right leg up so thigh is parallel to ground, without moving hips. Turn leg through 90 degrees.
5. Reaching out with right heel, extend right leg so that the foot lands at right angle to left foot.

If done right, the shoulders and hips should remain perfectly aligned throughout and along the fencing line. The weight should be entirely supported by the left leg. Knees, as always, in line with the feet, and bending so that they remain over the feet. This last is particularly crucial in order to avoid knee injuries.

This is also a diagnostic tool which helps us find where we're weak or tense, the points where our stance fails. For me it's the muscles on the outside of the hips (tensor fasciae latae for those of you who're interested). I'm flexible enough but I need to strengthen those muscles so that they can hold the position without undue strain. Otherwise the tension required tends to pull my hips out of position.

We also did some actual fencing, alternating between very slow, technical drills and tactical stuff. Personally I like the technical work, because that's when I learn most about myself and how to improve. That's an individual preference - everyone responds differently to learning situations - but I find that it's more useful to actually break down the actions, get them right and practice until they're really internalized. Then when the tactical situations arise, I don't have to think about technique at all, it just flows (or should, anyway, when I'm not sabotaging myself mentally, but that's another post for another day).

For example, holding the sword: a while ago Guy showed us the proper way to grip the rapier, and my goodness it's made such a difference. Even Ilkka got something out of it - he's not prone to hyperbole, but he declared later that he'd finally learned how to hold a sword, and this extended to longsword and sidesword as well. For me, it's helping to sort out the problems I've been having with gaining proper opposition. Now when I take the line, I can actually close it so that it's strong against pressure.

These are the myriad tiny details of execution, so very subtle and easy to overlook, yet the difference between a swordsman and some fool swinging a sword. It's easy for the Helsinki crowd in particular to forget this, but we're privileged to be training with Guy all the time. Not every lesson may be super-fun or contain mind-blowing insights, but if we're paying attention there are a lot of things to learn which others may never even have pointed out.

Another random thing that's come up in training recently - I'm getting more technique out under pressure. Two-on-one dagger drill on Monday had me putting in multiple strikes after the cover, in addition to the basic technique being executed. It's gradually becoming ingrained to strike in order to set up the locks and takedowns. This comes from the freeplay training: keep going until you've got to where you want, maintain the flow, keep up the advantage. Nice to see that it's bleeding into unarmed and dagger work as well.

This weekend I'll be going up to Turku to assist Guy at a seminar. Should be fun - it's meant for people who lead classes, so it'll be interesting, and the Turku chaps are good folk.