The Armour Archive

though i have seen other potential new fighters in my area give up because of a lack of developed teaching styles, and people teaching who have yet themselves become much more than new fighters.

fritz


Fritz, being that its part of my job to know, could you give me more details on this? Possibly we could get these wayward sheep back and hopefully correct the problem for future newbies. Contact me off line if you want as this isn`t really part of this thread.
Drefan[/b][/i]

Gaston de Vieuxchamps wrote:Number one "mistake" by newbies is:
Not learning good technique from the beginning and not getting structured teaching until AFTER they have a few years of bad habits fully ingrained.

Dude, I always feel like a test-tube baby whenever I hear you say that

-Loegaire, who spent his first month just learning to throw a moulinet

Snort! 19 years and I still can't throw a moulinet with any power or accuracy.

My wraps aren't that great either, but I try to make up for it with my lack of speed and coordination!

I am getting to be really good with a bastard sword. I practice all the time with a shinai while I am working on armor. It is really cool.

My "The Bedford Method" tapes seem to be helping too. I am hitting my pell very hard, but the basketball goal at the top of the pole that is on my pell is starting to vibrate a lot. I weigh 155lb but I am hitting pretty hard.

Thanks for all the tips here too, I will start to add them into my workouts.

And yes I am making my own armor- it is very cool, and it looks a lot like my hero Madmartigan's.

I am pretty sure that I can be authorized by Pennsic.

DA

Loegaire mac Gilray wrote:
Dude, I always feel like a test-tube baby whenever I hear you say that

Heh, more like "test tube baby mark 6"

Sir Arlic was the original test tube baby--Baldar taught him all the basic drills and techniques before he started fighting and he never had the opportunity to pick up bad habits. As a result, he STILL looks a lot "prettier" than I do fighting despite never really training all that hard.

Broadway wrote:What do you think are the top mistakes made by new fighters when they start fighting heavy in the SCA?

My favorite mistake was when this guy about 1/2 my size was smack-talking about how women shouldn't fight (as he's being put into armour). He mentioned how weak we are, how we can't take pain, and how macho he is. Seconds later, I felt a tap on my shoulder and recieved the request to be this newbie's first fight. I was most happy to oblige.

As for common mistakes, using a stiff arm to throw shots has got to be the biggie I see ALOT. They don't understand yet to utilize the whole arm, plus the body in flow.

~Colete

No confidance!
I constantly meet new fighters who believe they have lost the fight before it has begun. They see a belt, hear a title, or just know the person and figure they can't win.

Perhaps not number one, but both stupid and fatal.

Hitting what you think is a good shot, then pausing and lowering your defence to see if it was effective...

Usually greeted with the sight of incoming rattan.

Going in to a fight against a rather good Knight while not wearing a box...

I've only had 4 or so fighter practices, so I'm really really new. I'm down in atlantia in in Nottinghill Coill, and have fought with Sir Janos of Cyddlain Downs and Sir Alfred down here a few times. Sir Janos is a great teacher, and an excellent fighter, as is Sir Alfred. And let me tell you, it is extremely intimidating watching them fight, then walking out to stand in front of either of them, knowing they could hit me at will. We would do some calibration shots, just so I could get a feel for solid hits, and I'd hit them back to get a feel for hitting good, and I tell you, I never saw a single one of their shots coming, and we weren't even fighting. Needless to say, I loved it. I know I sucked, but I still loved it. I want to learn more!

I pulled out for a few months due to some issues that arose, but during that time I've been working on my own armor on the side, building a piece here, buying some there, and I've been to one other fighter practice in Meridies with some friends of mine. That practice was different due to the fact that most of the fighters had only been fighting for 3 years or so. I could actually get shots on them occasionally at 3/4 speed. By the end of that practice, my confidence had been helped out tremendously. It helped me realize that this was actually accomplish with good bit of effort.

My constant mistakes (remember, 5 practices tops)
-Telegraphing - Almost to the point where I should just tell them "I'm throwing a flat snap!", then swing. I jump into it.
-Shield work - I need a lot of work with a shield. I blind myself, and I overblock.
-Leading with my head, leaving my head open, hell, my head!
-Not hitting hard enough
-Always lead with same shot
-Exposing my right elbow

-And blocking that damn butt wrap everyone loves to throw on me! OUCH! I will block that damn shot, oh yes, I will block it!

As soon as I get my legs finished (and maybe a CoP instead of the crap breastplate I made) I'm going to get back to practicing!

Oh, and my other big fear is this...

When someone like Sir Janos or Sir Alfred are spending their time trying to teach me things that I'm having trouble with, and I can't seem to get it right, I almost feel like I'm wasting their time sometimes. It's nothing they do that makes me feel that way, they seem to enjoy teaching, it's just that I feel they could be using their time at practice honing skills for the tourneys and crown and stuff. I guess I just need to get over it, suck it up, and keep practicing.

Don't worry about that. If someone takes the time to teach, they're doing just that: taking the time. Its not a race.

Don't feel pressured to "get it right" or you'll throw obsticles into your learning and it will take even longer. When I explain something to someone new, it usually is a case of: show them and wait for it to sink in 1 inch, then show them the same thing in a slightly different way and wait for that to sink in another inch...

It may take a few practices or it may take a few monthes, but do not fret - you will get the lessons that your learned masters are sewing in your fertile newness.

You may want to get a notbook and wright after each practice write down little notes on 2 or 3 things you want to remember or work on or etc. Make sure you read it before the next practice.

That's not a bad idea. I think I'll have to do that.