Longsword Sparring w/my co-instructor

I had a great sparring session yesterday with my co-instructor Vladimir. Vlado is from the very first generation of people who have come to BSS when I started it 10 years ago and I’m super glad he’s still super into HEMA and that he’s doing a great job helping me lead the school. Since we mostly have tutoring stuff to do it’s rather rare that we have a sparring or practice opportunity nowadays. I hope we’ll find a way to spar more since he’s a super smart fencer and above all else very patient. He’s the kind of guy you like to fight because when he does an attack it’s always commited (unlike some people who just go for a hit, no matter the quality).
I made a video of some highlights from the session. There’s no big kung fu in there since the hall we rented is very small (on the other hand forces you to adapt a different strategy). The aim of our session was patience, timing and trying to parry-riposte (3227a) as much as we can. Enjoy!

[@Judicial78]

Very impressive, but I am more impressed that that mirror remains in one piece.

[@MartinFabian]

We're mostly Lichty guys. We usually aim for the head ;)

[@ArthurHerbst]

The twerhau is just such an excellent tool, especially in such close distances... and I get the feelig that you guys are about to master it. It was an Inspiration, as allways :)

[@MartinFabian]

Thanks Arthur!

[@dtndtn4762]

Your techniques are getting better with every video, awesome job! You guys are beasts, keep it up =)

[@thecasuallongsword]

It’s refreshing to watch you spar. keep these videos coming! :-)

[@FalseEdgeHEMA]

As always, absolutely fantastic

[@maciejhammer2681]

Absolutely fabulous!

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

Great work.. Very enjoyable to watch.. thanks for sharing .

[@MartinFabian]

Thank you!

[@ondrejh571]

Nice video, makes me thinking about my sparring approach, and that I should work more on the things I'm not good at, instead of just growing my ego by using things that I know works for me. Because you guys fought a lot in the distance where your direct thrust would almost always land, but instead you worked with (and on) umbschlagen :-) . Btw any chance we'll see your Russian and Mexican adventures? Id' really love to, especially the sidesword!

[@MartinFabian]

Thanks! With some people it's not easy to thrust. Vlado in particular has a very solid core defense plus he knows me probably the best. I like to do this kind of fencing with him more, also with people like Dustin Reagan etc. In tournaments, when you have people who often just swing the sword around, thrust is a safer choice. Unfortunately I didn't take any videos in Mexico, but Russia is half way done. I just need to find a few hours to finish it.

[@kieranlock3070]

Id be so nervous sparring next to a mirror like that

[@MartinFabian]

Best practice of surroundings awareness ;)