The Armour Archive

Ah, the feeling of teaching new guys to fight is so rewarding!!!

We have a new kid coming around. He watched a tape of our tournaments and said (to me) "You guys aren't moving that fast; I'd just get out of the way..." Fair enough, so I gave him the opportunity to show me how he'd move out of the way.

We just got some boffers, shields, and helmets and went out into the front yard. This guy is about 6'2, 220. Not a small guy. I figured, "alright, he's going to put a pretty good fight so I'll react to his movements." When lay on was called, he drew his stick waaaaaay back like he was going to try to clobber me. Now, I've been doing this for 8 years now, so I know what to do. I jabbed him in the head with my shield which stopped his sticks momentum and then proceeded to work his legs and head until he was "moved" into a tree. I backed up to let him have some space and he tried to act cool like nothing happened. We played some more and I showed him some basic shots and stuff, but that first flurry was all it took to get his attention and teach him his first lesson:

(1) Fighting is more instincts than thinking.

And his second lesson: (2) Its harder than it looks.

As a newbie, he doesn't have the instincts to react when a certain shot is thrown, but that is something that is found with experience.

We broke our lessons to spar some more and he started looking more and more like a fighter. Proper stance, blocking shots, *not* leading with his head or putting it down. I was getting tired and decided to end the match quickly. He drew back for another big shot and threw it. I dodged left outside of his swing range and took a photograph in my mind of how sweet a target this is: I've got 80% of my weight on my left foot, he is about 2 feet to my right with his right foot lined up with my crotch and off he's off balance. I need to bring my 80% across my body and hit him in the head. His right arm has crossed his body and his momentum hasn't stopped yet. I unload with a shield shot to his head and drop him to the ground. Not bad enough to hurt him, but to convince him that we were done and show him the third lesson:

(3) Never underestimate any opponent, no matter how big or small.

I helped him up and we chatted for a bit. After that, he followed me around like a lost puppy asking about how to make armour, more fighting tips, and wanted to know when he can get in full armour and try fighting again.

I really enjoy training the new guys. Contrary to what you might think, its not like I line them up and hit them with baseball bats and shield bash them. They are taught things that until now have not been put down on paper. I should really write something down about the training they go through.

Freakin' A, I'm glad *I'm* not trained like that!
Of course, I'm such a wuss, there's no way I could ever be cocky... Maybe they picked that up early on. I think they're trying more than anything to ADD agression to me, rather than take it away like that.
Good luck with the new guy! My sympathy and empathy go out to him, me being the local frosh, m'self.

question what would a new person ware to his/her meeting? if garb what you pic for your persona?

Ah, Jake, I still think you underestimate yourself....

Chris, usually we just wear whatever we want to meetings. We don't have personas. We don't worry about things being historically correct. It would take up a lot of space to explain, so I would suggest that you go here and check out the About Us section.

It's not unusual for spectators to think that we aren't moving very quickly. When you watch from a distance, the fighters seem to be going much more slowly than they actually are. Within striking distance, however, it's a different story.

I'm always a little surprised at the way some people will sneer a bit until they actually try it. It is however, gratifying when they come to understand just how little they know and start trying to actually learn.

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The defining characteristic of fanaticism is the inability to understand why everyone else is not a fanatic.

Clay you fight like Marklanders KEWL... Next time I'm in California we must meet up and "play"

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"As you hear the teuton war cry roll through the hills,you will then see the bear"
Heil Rittertum,

Harold the Bear
Herzog von Sachsen

[This message has been edited by Harold the Bear (edited 03-27-2001).]

Harold, I've seen Marklanders fight. It's a totally different game. But you're welcome to come out to CA anytime. We can play.

Clay,

What type of combat are you doing that you can jab him in the head with your shield?

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Phillipe de Pamiers
Midrealm

Well, I invite you to check out our rules for combat here. Also, here is the page about our tournaments. For more information about us, go here.

It's all really too much to type into one posting

It ain't NEAR as easy as you guys make it look. I can get my sword goin' but my shield just kinda sits there on my left arm. OR...I get the shield blocking to beat the band and my sword just kinda hangs over my shoulder. And footwork?? HAHAHAHAHAHA I got enough to do with the sword and shield! I hope to get there someday. Just gotta keep throwing shots and blocking until it BECOMES instinctive. You guys will be pretty much hitting me at will for a while to come I fear.

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They call me Ned

[This message has been edited by edward atte flynt (edited 03-27-2001).]

one thing i like saying to newbies

"you must learn the ways of the force"

Well, he certainly got a nicer first day than i did.
i was trained with jeans, a t shirt, hockey gloves and a helmet, and big oak sticks. needless to say i learned to block fast.real fast. i dont know clay, there are times when your group sounds like mine.
in any case, i love training the new kids as well. i spent all spring break doing it. i loved it. my cousin is now a passable sword and board kid.

Tybolt


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What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee: