The Armour Archive

This has been kicking around the back of my mind for a while. It is, I hope, obvious that if you're training a new fighter you teach the rules of the game and the applicable techniques for fighting. What else would you teach?

B

Well the hope is that the new fighter is going to be more than a stick fighting buddy, and will become a member of the Sca (i am guessing that that is the organization you belong to) With that in mind, teaching should turn to things like persona development, historical accuracy in hard and soft kits, and without a doubt, the applicatons of chivalry, both in combat, and off the field.

In my time as a fighter my Knight has taught me brewing, scottish history, armor construction, ettiquette, and the importance of honor in all situations. Least importantly he has taught me how to fight.

'Course, i did teach him how to fight with a hangover, so it is really a two way street.

Mal

Concentrating on the topic of fighting, I would (and do) teach:

- The philosophy of SCA combat (such as the unique nature of "victory" in our sport, and the implications of engaging in a contest that is both violent and friendly)
- Advice on how to avoid injury and the importance of physical conditioning
- Differences between the duel and melee skill sets
- The pros and cons of sport armor vs. more authentic gear
- The cycle of training (i.e. technique -> repetition -> practical application -> practice -> proficiency -> variation -> technique...)
- The importance of third party observation and studying fighting film

Greetings,

I think it's important to teach new folks about participation. Why go to an event just to spend the entire weekend in your encampment? I can wear a drape and drink beer in a big field at home and save myself a lot of effort.

There are countless activities in the SCA. Something is sure to appeal to you if you try them all.


Hjlmr inn Danski

Bastior wrote:This has been kicking around the back of my mind for a while. It is, I hope, obvious that if you're training a new fighter you teach the rules of the game and the applicable techniques for fighting. What else would you teach?

B

For the new people I get to teach I always do a few things,

1. Teach them the basic rules of the game
2. Teach stance/foot work
3. teach them 3 starting blows (Flat snap, back hand, wrap) and let them build from there.

Thanks guys.

Yes I'm talking SCA, tho' I'm more than willing to take ideas from other groups if they're a good match.

Any other ideas?

B

the group i have does something that i like.

seeing as we meet every Wednesday and Friday, we have quite a bit of practice time, so what we do is Drill, then drill some more, and the drill even more, then spar until it gets dark. basically, this has made us the best trained group in our area in our organization, and each of us has a fairly high level of personal skill, though some of us still need to work on stuff.

so yeah, drill, and drill some more, tower shield drills, pike formation/marching drills, ren drills,etc etc it works!

I like to talk to new fighters about building, improving, or changing armor to better tolerate the heat. Also, I tell them about what I do, as an asthmatic, for conditioning in my efforts to be the last or one of the last people on the field during practice or pickups. I do all of my normal exercise (2 to 3 times per week, one hour each) outside in the afternoon, on a dirt road in the woods where there's little breeze, and include tabata intervals. That is, get conditioned for intense exercise when it's hot outside.

When it comes to actual practice, I like to do moving-pell exercises... that is I tell them to chase me, while throwing multiple attacks focusing on good mechanics. I throw a few casual attacks (somewhat fast, with moderate power) so that they don't get too lazy about defense while attacking.

Once we cover rules, basic blows, & such I tell them to....

- Start looking at any picture of armour they can find, and pick a congruent time/place to base their armour off of. Once we get around to actually start building their armour, they should have a picture of what they're shooting for.

- Embark on *some* sort of physical training. Weights, circuits, running, walking, whatever. Something that they can do on days they're not fighting.

- Read. Preferably something close to their period, whether it's heroic sagas of the Norse or Di Grassi; or anything in between. To get an idea of the heroic culture of their era.

If I think that they're not too lazy I try to teach them some drills. But drilling is often the kiss-of-death to a new fighter (and a lot of older ones too) so I ponder that one carefully.

Make them fight for their food and beer. "Move faster sport and maybe you won't be so thirsty and hungry."

Cheers, more food for thought.

B