The Armour Archive

Hartmann wrote:
I do have a somewhat different interpretation of why the cut has a harder time transfering force, though. The cut tends to be "flying unclean", ie, at the point of impact, the blade is not perpendicular to the direction of travel nor to the target surface.

From the way I demonstrate the cut in tbe video your statement makes perfect sense but in practice good fighters typically cut so the direction of motion IS perpendicular to the blade and to the target surface at the moment of impact. sometimes they do this by striking more towards| the front of the opponent.

Which reminds me I need to include in the next vid how any blow, not just wraps, can be 'deep' or 'shallow'. Typically a snap lets you throw 'deeper' than a cut.

Thanks for the critique, keep em coming.

G

Thorvaldr Skegglauss wrote:This I think is one of the major reasons we struggle to advance as an "art" we all speak different languages in regards to what to call different blows.

I mean a reverse punch is a reverse punch regardless of what Karate school you go to. Same thing with a crescent kick etc...

Thorvaldr

That has long been one of my major goals, to supply a widespread nomenclature that makes sense.

Shorin-ryu guys throw their reverse punches with the pinky down while all the right-thinking schools know it sbould be palm down, but we all agree it's a reverse punch. In Yoshukai our front kick was a thrusting motion while in Shotokan it's always a snapping motion like a round kick poinged up. But most kung fu guys recognize both a 'front snap kick' and a 'front thrust kick' and also teach a 'dragon stomp' which is a front thrust that strikes with the heal. That's the model to shoot for.

G

Gaston de Vieuxchamps wrote:

Thorvaldr Skegglauss wrote:This I think is one of the major reasons we struggle to advance as an "art" we all speak different languages in regards to what to call different blows.

I mean a reverse punch is a reverse punch regardless of what Karate school you go to. Same thing with a crescent kick etc...

Thorvaldr

That has long been one of my major goals, to supply a widespread nomenclature that makes sense.

Shorin-ryu guys throw their reverse punches with the pinky down while all the right-thinking schools know it sbould be palm down, but we all agree it's a reverse punch. In Yoshukai our front kick was a thrusting motion while in Shotokan it's always a snapping motion like a round kick poinged up. But most kung fu guys recognize both a 'front snap kick' and a 'front thrust kick' and also teach a 'dragon stomp' which is a front thrust that strikes with the heal. That's the model to shoot for.

G

Nomenclature is, and always has been, regional in nature. A blow starting from the upper right quadrant of the body and passing from right to left in the horizontal plane at the opponent's head height, striking with the true edge = onside flat snap = mandritto mezzano = mittlehau and etc... The first is a description of mechanics that contains the most useful information, but it's a pain in the ass to keep writing it down and it's hard to plug into a memory structure. The other terms are far less precise but are concise and memorable. As mnemonic terms are invariably created as an aid to rapid (if not precise) communication (and for a host of other reasons) you might do better to get people into the habit of describing exactly what they mean and then slapping a label on the concept to make it possible to have a conversation about fighting that lasts less than twenty minutes. Just a thought.

Only complaint I have is that it takes so long to load . . .

Heheh, I thought I heard a dog!

This is the best thing ever. I'm incredibly happy people are going forward with the idea. Thanks Gaston for the vids as well!

Lorccan asked:

ean-Michel, do you suggest that our forebears had a uniform terminology of swordplay? I find that they also suffered from a lack of a uniform language. Even among countrymen, the same or similar terms were often used to describe different guards or strikes (the Italians, for instance, are not entirely consistent, nor are their translations). And how about comparing Silver to Capoferro? Awkward, especially when an author's terminology is not illustrated clearly. Modern fencing scholars have imposed some structure on this vocabulary, and it's very helpful, but it's a more recent invention.

I am not suggesting that at all. The SCA is purportedly studying the Middle Ages/Renaissance, given that and that there are historical examples of blow descriptions my question is why not use them.

Why is it an issue that different words are used to illustrate different blows and wards? I've had a brief introduction to Italian swordsmanship, and I prefer the Lichtenauer school. I've had very little problem communicating with people who study Italian or even Spanish. Why would you want to compare Silver to Capo Ferro? You can describe one in terms of the other but to what end?

Finally the vocabulary that fencers use is not as modern as you think, try 1568 "Trattato di Scienza d'Arme" by Agrippa, and this is just one example of a refinement that is still with us, the concepts and terms go back much further.

Jean-Michel

It has been my experience with instructional videos, that the most easily followed are those that do away with the original sound all-together.

Start out in a quiet room- Tell us what you are going to do. Go out and do it.

Voice over the noise of planes ,dogs, trains and neighbor kids. This also give you the chance to focus on what you are doing, rather than speaking, looking at the camera, etc.

Come back to that quiet room and tell us what fabulous thing you are going to do next.

Worth what you paid for it...and not like anyone asked for advice. =)

~dev~

I noticed the normenclature differences too, I was watching it with one our regular students. But basically we both agreed it is the same thing just toomatoe vs toematoe LOL. The quality of things well hell it is a grassroots idea and a good one at that. When people take the chance to put themselves out there in a format like this it is hard. So kudo's on the efforts and trying to do something to help fighting as a whole.
I might have to put something together myself to take part, I just fear putting out bad information.
Craven

We fought at Pennsic a few years ago, not sure you have any bad information

Thor.

CosmoCraven wrote:I noticed the normenclature differences too, I was watching it with one our regular students. But basically we both agreed it is the same thing just toomatoe vs toematoe LOL. The quality of things well hell it is a grassroots idea and a good one at that. When people take the chance to put themselves out there in a format like this it is hard. So kudo's on the efforts and trying to do something to help fighting as a whole.
I might have to put something together myself to take part, I just fear putting out bad information.
Craven

I'm going to make this required viewing by my squires.

I have an odd issue in that I learned how to fight sword and shield by watching the knights from down south and then going home and aping thier movments back up in the wilds of Montana. I wasn't a squire and I was (am) kind of an ass, so people weren't nessecarily intersted in breaking things down for me

As such, I KNOW how to do things, but I don't EXPLAIN them very well sometimes.

With great weapons, oddly, I dont' have that problem (Aveloc moved to Montana after I'd been fighting for three years) but I still get bogged down with single sword stuff trying to articulate simple mechanics.

It was great to camp with you at Clinton, hopefully I'll get stuff worked out for you to come up for Art or War!

Thanks Daniel,

I had a great time. Yes I definitely want to try and do Art of War.

G

Thank you your Grace for putting those up. Since quite a lot of my SCA friends down here are on my facebook, I put up the link so they can share in this as well.

I look forward to seeing you again.

Last night we shot a clip and we will see how looks and get it up soon.

Duke Uther wrote:Last night we shot a clip and we will see how looks and get it up soon.

Awesome! I can't wait to see it.

Craven (YRM) -

WHERE IS OUR SOMBRERO BLOCK VID!!!!

ALSO NINJA LIKE STAB THE GUY BEHIND YOUR HEAD.

K THX BYE

SO ....if you knew me, you would know I work for a tech company but have no tech about me. Could anyone comment on the flip camcorder or a comparable unit that is SIMPLE to use. I want to start videoing more fighting. My squires provided the camera last night might try and get my own ? I was looking the flip in the link from Best buy

Uther

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... cat0400000

I was looking for that today to ? I also want to see VDK shield in use ? anyone
thx

Sigifrith Hauknefr wrote:Craven (YRM) -

WHERE IS OUR SOMBRERO BLOCK VID!!!!

ALSO NINJA LIKE STAB THE GUY BEHIND YOUR HEAD.

K THX BYE

Your Grace,
I have a Flip Mino. The capabilities of the camera are limited, but I think it would be more than adequate for this job. I use it to video myself and my students.
Sometimes fine details are lost (this is mostly due to the person filming).
All of the software you need in on the camera. I have found it easy to use.

Jean-Michel

I don't know about the flip specifically but that class--a flash camera shooting to SDHC in standard def for about $200 or less is what you want.

As I said before, cameras have gotten better in the last few years and even the least of them make pretty decent video more than good enough for youtube.

G

Working on my August submission today; "Wraps"

Still waiting to see other dukes' videos

G

Third video is up on youtube.

I can't cut and paste the URL from my mobile but just search "res ducis"

This one is on wraps.

G

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAH5xj73jl8 great vidieo

B. Amos wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAH5xj73jl8 great vidieo

Thanks!
G

Maybe I can finally teach myself a Scorpion that way!

Sweet!

I have this idea for a workout poster for SCA home gyms & practice spaces - think something like these http://www.sportsposterwarehouse.com/detail_FI-DUMBCOMBO__458__dumbellworkoutduo05fi_htm.html , but for proper blow mechanics instead of conventional exercises. It would be awesome, but a huge effort!

Luckily, I can't draw, so that's one less project for my list.

Gaston de Vieuxchamps wrote:Working on my August submission today; "Wraps"

Still waiting to see other dukes' videos

G

Last night we tried compressing the file for y-tube and I really should say My squire Miles and his father Sir John tried. HUGE "thank you" to them for them for this. ! THe file however had some problems, so we are compressing the files again. This is it taking a great deal of time, but we @ house Sigurgata are really working on this.

I love the idea of this challenge and I hope to produce something worth seeing. Round two for us should come out better and with a little more ease on the technical side of things.

Should be up today at some point

http://www.youtube.com/user/housesigurgata

Uther

Hartmann wrote:Maybe I can finally teach myself a Scorpion that way!

Interesting!

Gaston, I really like the "single plane" terminology that you use, I myself refer to that as a "cut". A blow that cuts only once is ideal, or really, the blow only really starts in the final cut. All the energy spent changing direction is energy wasted into space.

Naturally, spending the energy may "coil","cock","load"?(terminology unknown, Swedish is my native language) your muscles into throwing the "true blow, but in reality, the blow you throw is IMHO the last"cut", some blows include two "cuts", basically changing the angle while throwing, and can be a great instrument in striking the desired target area, but the force "bled out" of the blow because of it making more than one "cut" should be accounted for when assessing the technique.

Hartmann, I'm really curious, how did Gaston's video differ when it comes to describing a topside false edge strike from our areas usual explanation of that particular strike?

I feel that I do it the same way, but missing a key element(s?) in my vocabulary, and I'd really like to e able to describe technique correctly even if I cannot serve as an example of executing it

Duke Uther wrote:

Gaston de Vieuxchamps wrote:Working on my August submission today; "Wraps"

Still waiting to see other dukes' videos

G

Last night we tried compressing the file for y-tube and I really should say My squire Miles and his father Sir John tried. HUGE "thank you" to them for them for this. ! THe file however had some problems, so we are compressing the files again. This is it taking a great deal of time, but we @ house Sigurgata are really working on this.

I love the idea of this challenge and I hope to produce something worth seeing. Round two for us should come out better and with a little more ease on the technical side of things.

Should be up today at some point

http://www.youtube.com/user/housesigurgata

Uther

Uther!
In my own very humble opinion I find you to be one of the most capable and versatile fighters in the SCA.

I have no doubt in my mind, that if you would step up to the challenge, And produce 12 instructional videos, I would have AT LEAST 10% in potential to gain from them. If His Grace Jade would do the same, I have no doubt that I could learn as much from him.

So please, step up to the plate and instruct me, I am very eager to learn!
If You do it, perhaps I could convince Duke Elffin too?
+30% by
Estrella 2010?

Duke Uther wrote:Should be up today at some point

http://www.youtube.com/user/housesigurgata

Uther

It worked for me, Your Grace! Having played in Caid all along and taken Duke Paul's classes, there were not a lot of new ideas in this first installment, but I think you did a very good job of explaining why we do them. It also reminded me that I haven't done attack & defend drills with a partner in a long time!

Thanks for fighting through the technical troubles!

Arngrim wrote:Hartmann, I'm really curious, how did Gaston's video differ when it comes to describing a topside false edge strike from our areas usual explanation of that particular strike?

Never managed to throw them right (as you bl***y well know), and Gaston desription seemed to make sense when I was just viewing... We'll see.

Duke Uther wrote:I was looking for that today to ? I also want to see VDK shield in use ? anyone
thx

Lucan & Sir Kenric, finals of Mudthaw 2009 (90+ man list IIRC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kz4N2KDsYQ
They start off with S&S, both are very good and use similar styles except that Kenric uses the wrong hand Then they switch to hewing spears and finally a pair of my two handed axes. Fun fights to watch.

Duke Lucan & Count Konrad EK Spring Crown 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU41V216nlM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWU_-uQhudg

Lucan & Sir Gabriel, earlier round
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8OCq4tXBg0

Richard Blackmoore
KSCA East

Your Grace,
Thank you for the videos.
Edward

Just a note from our last practise: these clips are starting to make a difference, both in how we train and how we fight (albeit more slowly...).

Thanks, guys! (Gaston and Uther, so far).

Duke Gaston,

As a newcomer just learning the basics, I find these videos to be an incredible resource.

There's been a lot of talk about "light", "good", and "excessive" shots, and I was wondering if any of your future videos would touch on the power a shot should land with.

My first time armoring up, I had no training of mechanics and was throwing rather light, being unused to hitting armored opponents. Second practice, I rang my trainer's bell and he had to pause for a minute. He didn't call it excessive, but I'm still a long way from figuring out appropriate power.

I hear people mention "I throw at about a 5, if 10 is the hardest I can possible do it."

September video is finaally up. Could use some more polish, I had some serious technical issues (video recorded over) but that's what I get for waiting till the last minute. I feel it's important to stick to my deadline so here it is.

Can't cut and paste the link from my phone because it automatically takes me to the mobile version, but if you click on one of the previous vid links it will show up under related videos....

Thanks,
G