Focused Longsword Sparring - Sept 2023

While sparring without any particular objectives can be a fun way to unwind after a class, there is ample value to targeted work and I'd strongly recommend incorporating it into your own training if you do not already.
In this video, I was specifically targeting approaching the fight with Meyer's advice regarding the Onset in mind. This entails masking my true intention behind a smokescreen of misleading postures on the approach. This minimizes the amount of time your opponent has to see, identify, and react to your play. These changes can also be used to create tempting bait to draw out your opponent as well.
Then, my next objective, and step, was to find opportunities to utilize off-line movement to improve my angles of attack and clearance from reprisal. By moving off-line, you can force a new center-line between you which makes it all the harder for them to defend and counter-offend.
Although I think the most valuable exchanges in this respect were earlier on, I wanted to include the entire span of the sparring. Towards the end, I'm able to catch a second wind and push those objectives again.
All in all, it was a very informative day, and one I'll be breaking down the highlights of in Shorts.
#sword #longsword #hema #sparring #martialarts #fencing

[@bluebomber81]

Once I noticed the rain it was such a vibe. Seems so cool to have a spot like that. 😮

[@robinswords]

It was very thematic

[@indlocksley]

Tomfoolery is always apart of my fighting style.

[@apolloisnotashirt]

Looking for suspect that was seen walking around this corner, first name Tom last name Foolery.

[@Dexok123]

super fascinating to watch this stuff in motion, its one thing to discuss technique but to see it employed in the moment is completely different

[@DarukaEon]

Jazz and swords? I dig. 🥰

[@MrArmoredSoul]

Maaaan, now i want more jazz bar swordfights

[@jonharker9028]

Great tunes and a great showing! Seems like you got to hit those goals!

[@CayVlor42]

Fantasy writers often describe sword-fighting as a dance. I think they’re wrong; sword-fighting looks more akin to a game of chess

[@Plutonic_Blue]

That’s how a lot of martial arts fights are. It’s not a lot of flashy shit, it’s usually not very pretty and very fast but the mental games is actually insane. To the untrained eye, it just looks like two dudes swinging a sword hoping something lands, but in reality it’s a whole game of chess going on in their minds. It’s beautiful fr.

[@pangopod2969]

Love the concept !

[@theendoftheworld9921]

Great ending exchange i agree

[@martinkrauser4029]

Swing music? I see what you did there 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@fpvba]

woooooow

[@TheFencingFox]

Love the bgm! First comment! 💚🦊

[@HessianLikeTheFabric]

I feel like I recognise the location. Is this the Triangle Swords Guild or something? I feel like a collab with another KZbinr I watch, Sensei Seth, happened there. Might just be the similar tables though

[@robinswords]

Yes, that's us. I'm actually in his video 🙂 I'm the last person he spars before Kurt.

[@HessianLikeTheFabric]

@@robinswords That's an overlap I never expected :3 I hope you all enjoyed it

[@TheRexisFern]

Do you tell each other your personal goals for the training session?

[@robinswords]

I think I mentioned mine. They didn't state any.

[@TheRexisFern]

@robinswords heard! Only wondered because if you mentioned your focus before the fight, you might accidentally influence their attention. On the other hand, it's helpful to have someone watching your intent with a pre-knowing eye. 🤔 I'm always interested in other people's approach to learning and teaching!

[@robinswords]

@@TheRexisFern For sure. Sometimes I'll tell them I'm working on something, but not what it is I'm doing. Not that I think any of my clubmates would maliciously try and counter play, but it helps to get them behaving totally normally.

[@lilduckyisopod9448]

Hey Robin! What would you call your Crest? I'm thinking about using it across any game that'll let me make my own logo. Could call it the "Crested Robin.", which sounds cool but is a little on the nose. Also, love seeing it on your face guard.

[@dylansylvester4719]

But have you mastered the art of wheres the sword?

[@spiritoss5639]

Yo where'd you get your sparring coat from? It looks great

[@aeugheh4330]

You know how in many combat sport, bare handed or with a weapon (incl. modern fencing), it is said to never cross your legs for balance. However, as I just observed, it does not seem to be common practice in medieval fencing. Why is that?

[@robinswords]

When the feet cross, it's typically a fleeting prelude to an abrupt and powerful unwinding of the hips. Think of the crossing as akin to winding a spring. The hips then snap back, pivoting and arriving forcefully back to a normal position.

[@BasedR0nin]

Looks like Italian style

[@NuggetsForBrains5]

are those the aztec pants from x-martial?

[@robinswords]

I think they're just wearing SPES

[@NuggetsForBrains5]

@@robinswords what are those spats youre wearing underneath your pants

[@nbshftr]

i love the videos but please get a better camera

[@Mr.pickles9]

this duel Is too good for this bullshit background music

[@Mattsavage69]

Sword fighting seems to be more about luck than skill. There are too many variables.

[@thewooz7398]

I've been doing HEMA for so long that the idea of switching guards to keep your opponent always guessing is a stroke of genius I had never considered.

[@slam660]

Would love to see more sparring

[@robertbeier5521]

Is your opponent using the sigi king shorty or standard?

[@robinswords]

I believe it's a shorty.

[@kevinlin92]

It's always nice to watch sparring videos because you offer something to aspire to. You are both exceedingly nimble. Your sparring partner has the same hard shell gloves that I do, but I find them cumbersome and awkward - getting in the way of my zwerhau and changing my edge alignment. Meanwhile he looks like he's able to execute cuts, binds and transitions just fine, so it must be an issue of skill on my part. Thanks for the insight! I will continue to drill more (and do more general fitness conditioning, since there is a massive speed differential in what I can do and what I'm seeing here).

[@DeviousLong]

I think you would really enjoy Half Sword on steam

[@Emeraldo95]

@robinswords what shoes are you wearing?

[@eatburbger]

hey have you tried broken edge vr, its really cool as a melee pvp game

[@adampalermo5791]

How long is the blade on your Sigi Standard?