Sword's Path | The Basics - The Low Guards

[@AkainuKiller]

Hope you wont stop doing videos. Its extremly interesting to see a truly skilled fighter explaining his moves and so on.

[@18ps3anos]

3:38 When you aren't sure if you let your stove turned on.

[@tiiiimmmmmm]

That ending. Very witcher esque

[@edi9892]

THX I stopped the video earlier...

[@enzotavares7367]

i have no idea why i watch your videos.... I'll probably never touch a sword in my life.... yet I still watch your videos.... HOW ARE U DOING THIS TO ME?!?! ps: I'm loving the new videos.

[@kylemarrotte8595]

You say that now, but 1 week after I saw his first video I had bought a polypropylene training sword, and one month after that my girlfriend found a nearby swordfighting school and signed up us for lessons. It's a lot of fun!

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

I applaud you both!

[@PashaDefragzor]

True, he needs do some stuff for motion capture instead of medival stuff, but its in the same time a mocap stuff for historical games ^^ And this sound TAAA, maybe he worked with Witcher ^^

[@CPalanysamy]

well, I am thinking of buying a sword and perhaps also long hair.

[@ReichenbachEsq]

At some point in your genetic lineage, there was a man.

[@jeremyjames7899]

This series of videos are the most informative easy to understand and instructive of any available- very well done thank you

[@StoicRounin]

Waki no kamae - I like that stance, it's cool AF! I've never held an actual sword before, but I love your content. Gambatte!

[@Ethredel]

Thank you for making these videos! I thoroughly enjoy them. It's clear that this is something you enjoy doing, and I hope you will continue making more. You have a great mix of comedic moments and seriousness. It's nice to get some insights that's grounded in hard work and exercise. It provides a very useful contrast to what movies and TV-series offer us these days (after all, their first priority is to be entertaining).

[@emperorbelisarius7380]

It was cool seeing the fool's guard. In my amateur sparing with wooden swords for fun I favored it greatly, less so for tricking opponents into thinking I was incompetent (we were amateurs after all) but mainly because I am taller than most of my opponents, and it keeps my sword close to the action, whereas a high guard usually means that I am above the action, and have fewer options. This channel plus others has inspired me and another friend to begin regular HEMA practice. Keep it up!

[@ethan073]

Looking forward to more Basics videos! Love the channel!

[@starshipshari]

Hey The Sword's Path, have you played Blood and Wine yet? It's awesome!

[@JasonWaterfalls13]

Excellent video! Thank you for teaching us/sharing. Look forward to more!

[@NotMeButAnother]

Watching your footwork I'm noticing that you tend to place your feet on your center line instead of at shoulder width apart as is usually taught in German Long Sword. Is that a conscious choice of fighting style for you? In my experience it represents a focus on agility over stability which seems to fit your way of moving but it's unusual in combination with larger, especially two-handed weapons.

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

It's something I adopted from sport fencing. Works better against mechanically and tactically advanced opponents, where agility means a lot more than striking power. I tend to choose thrust-oriented plays against experienced people.

[@NotMeButAnother]

The Sword's Path I wouldn't reduce stability to striking power, it can be important in defence especially when the fight moves up close. That's not to say that your choice of stance is invalid though, it does tend to be more maneuverable.

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

NotMeButAnother It is vulnerable to rushing and grappling, yes. But I do my best to land a solid blow before that happens.

[@NotMeButAnother]

The Sword's Path Watching you move I'm quite willing to believe that this usually works out for you. Thanks for answering!

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

NotMeButAnother Thanks for raising valid issues! I feel it always contributes to the education values of this channel. :)

[@davecam4863]

I love how you include the japanese term for the stance.

[@annieburlingham5570]

Hello! Thank you for posting these videos. I have recently taken up HEMA training after being unable to compete anymore in pole vault. I needed something to train for and I find this really compelling. I would eventually like to compete in broadsword and messer Unfortunately, I am far from any HEMA schools so I am only able to make it in to class once a week. I am very happy to have found these videos. This is so helpful! Looking forward to learning more from you.

[@bakters]

Bloody hell, you are good. You do those complex strikes with pretty much perfect edge alignment.

These videos are great, you're a really good instructor!

[@Teskar30]

Hey Alan ! Thank you for the content ! Do you think. It seems like you are taking your time. What do you think about some tips and drills for us to practice? Keep doing the good work. Hope to see your channel grow

[@eddierodriguez5266]

Love this series, please continue it. Thank you so much.

[@voxkoshka]

This is my favorite video series.

[@Maxat4]

Well, he knows his stuff. Fascinating stuff. I love the use of Witcher music.

[@eight2seven]

this dudes voice is a combination of william shattner, christopher walken and patrick stewart, so awesome.

[@dude4real9455]

Very awesome of you to make these videos, loving every one! And the witcher training sword'must be the coolest Hema sword I've seen !

[@Cyb3rd0g501]

Great video as always! Did you just take his head as a trophy? :D

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

Of course. And thank you!

[@michaelfranco5191]

+The Sword's Path cool broo😂😂😂😂👏🏼bravo bravissimo

[@shrekas2966]

+The Sword's Path which side of poland?

[@carminealbertomontanino6214]

great video as always,i look forward to see the footwork technique ,i'm waiting also a video where you do a fighting demostration,it would be awesome

[@luquetero5912]

Hi! I just started History Medieval Combat, you videos are much helpful! Got a question, where do you buy the sword?

[@kamilszadkowski8864]

He's a blacksmith so most likely he made it himself.

[@lasmgoogleaccount9728]

Dude, gonna look forward to your next video, stopped swordfighting for a bit, but am planning to get bck, hope to see that next video about strikes and footwork tho.

[@shaunbrooke9839]

great video loved it. do you plan on doing any more unorthodox methods in the future like the witcher videos.

[@adamjohn12]

great video! looking forward to the next one!

[@vahidakonigin4839]

Your soothing voice is amazing

[@falconettig]

Keep 'em coming! If you'll have time and will could throw in some saber vids for us Hungarians. You know we get emotional around one ;) . So good stuff, thank you for sharing!

[@lordandrak]

I thought the plough had the hands more retracted and closer to the body to prevent vulnerability to cuts at the hands. What you demonstrated as the plough looked more akin to the Italian posta breve which has similar vulnerabilities of langen-ort. Please note: utmost respect, and acknowledgement of your experience/knowledge in this area.

[@acaristic93]

Definitely agreed.

[@SlendermanDefeated]

I was thinking the same..

[@izanagi2488]

Sir the pflug of meyer was much more extended.

[@lowkeyprince]

Thanks for the videos! please keep them coming.

[@Brokenlance]

I find boars tooth to be a pretty effective low guard as well. It's fairly easy to bait an opponent with and once they strike (typically a fendente type strike) I can Accressere to the left, bring the sword up and strike the left side (opponents right side) of his blade and after doing so you can bring the blade down onto their head. Pretty awesome stuff.

[@abackes77]

I am very new into fencing and have one question. I can't find a really good picture of a "Hau or Schlagrose" on Google. it should have the letters on it to call them in training. I would want to enlarge it and stick it to the wall for basic cuts training. do you have a link?? thank you in advance for your help. I love to watch your videos, with your level of swordsmanship it looks so beautifully fluid

[@VNSnake1999]

I have been waiting for this. Thank you.

[@Kolchakk]

YES! New videos! Thank you!

[@notsuferatu]

that sword is really really nice, a couple of questions, where did you get it, and what does it say?

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

You can get one from me. Mine bears the name of my master's master. A Persian fellow, or so he said.

[@13strigoi69]

You may not see this comment on such an old video, but the link to your work goes to some sort of escort site. I assume that you haven't given up blacksmithing to...well you might want to update it. 🙂

[@luisbarboza2042]

Long time since I saw your last instructive video, are gonna keep going with them? Like, you have the basics, now the advanced and so on?

[@Iceberqe]

Cool! Cant wait for the next video! :)

[@krzysztofcierlak]

Awesome video and you just started.

[@samuelleask1132]

Thanks for uploading, very informative!

[@timavery9530]

Hey man i'm really quite impressed by your videos especially by the witcher ones. Could you possibly do a video about how lambert and eskel fought with a backhanded sword style? I was always curious about that.

[@ihorzabrotskyi6746]

Hi, Alan! Can I watch your videos from some competitions? I remember you mentioned about it. Just interesting how it looks like

[@RinKenRyou]

No more basic videos!? These are awesome...

[@ninjatears]

I like the you looking distracted randomly, making it seem more ominous type of inviorment 😆

[@One000Suns]

What stance would be better suited for opponents on horses while you are on foot? I mention this because in the same movie (Kingdom of Heaven), Balian fought a mounted soldier while on foot after the ship crashed.

[@J24-k8f]

getting a spear/bill/hook

[@helejun7297]

Hi Alan! What is the recommended basic physical training for practicing long sword? Like short distance dashes or push ups?

[@guharup]

long distance sprinting in the reverse direction to an opponent

[@Magolsky]

I've got a question, where r u from?

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

+Magolsky Poland

[@apofisknifesandfire379]

Country of witchers :)

[@trystanfranziskus]

no the german accent sounds different....and I should know that....because I am Austrian XD

[@szopad7832]

THE KING IN THE NORTH.

[@sparrowhawk81]

Go back and listen and compare his voice to Christopher Walken. It's freaky but he somehow sounds like Walken.

[@IlIlIlIlIlIlIlIlIlIII]

HE WAS WEARING A VARIANT OF URSINE GEAR

[@IlIlIlIlIlIlIlIlIlIII]

I have a question. I'd like to know the dimensions of your sword. (Width, blade length, hilt length, and overall length) Mind sharing?

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

Total length: 130 cm Blade length: 100 cm Blade width: 52 mm Weight: 1700 grams

[@IlIlIlIlIlIlIlIlIlIII]

The Sword's Path Thanks!

[@IHaveYourSealab]

The end segment looks familiar to the short video on your facebook. Do I suspect something cool on the horizon?

[@IHaveYourSealab]

2guys1sword v cool

[@AdobadoFantastico]

Awesome! Been waiting for this :)

[@Killswitch500]

What is the length of your sword?

[@TungstenViper]

3:08 basically Siegfried's Guard from the Soul series?

[@JKT6]

What is your opinion on using Kendo as a way to learn swordsmanship? Dzenki!

[@aaronseet2738]

Which runes have you socketed into your sword?

[@n0denz]

You're able to snap your sword about so rapidly; is there ever a danger of letting the sword's inertia get literally out of hand, losing your grip? How difficult is it to halt the sword's momentum and change direction? Or are your movements executed in a way to make it easier to change direction?

[@wohoomaster9068]

Is it possible for you to show how one can use the low guards in context of a duel?

[@MrakoGears]

Nicely done, komrade! Respect from MotherRussia's witchers! :3

[@kaerlupus]

Chciałem właśnie poruszyć temat pracy nóg, ale widzę, że kolega po angielsku już podobnie zauważył i częściowo wytłumaczyłeś. Natomiast zapytam jeszcze o kwestię czegoś takiego, jak, hmm "kąty uderzeń". Przepraszam, za laictwo, gdyż jedyne walki mieczem długim jakie toczyłem miały miejsce grając w Wiedźmina haha :) Natomiast ćwiczę strzelectwo. Wiesz, przy strzelaniach dynamicznych patrzymy na to, żeby z jednej postawy, móc strzelić bez zmiany nóg, w różne kierunki, szybko przenosząc pistolet między celami. Ważna jest tu stabilność, ze względu na odrzut broni, a także to, żeby jak najszybciej ponownie ustawić broń na celu. Najlepiej działa tu właśnie rozstawienie nóg na szerokość ciut szerszej niż bioder, co daje kąt stabilnego ostrzału ponad 180 stopni. A jak wygląda coś takiego w szermierce? Może nie tyle atak, ale co np. blok z różnych kierunków? Czy po prostu nie można w takim wypadku bronić się statycznie, a zamiast tego, każdy blok zmienia też ustawienie nóg? I jak w takim przypadku wygląda zachowanie równowagi przy szybkich ruchach, dość wąsko na nogach? I proszę nie myśl, że się czepiam, bardzo mi się podobają filmiki, a jestem po prostu ciekawy, więc kombinuję pewne rzeczy po swojemu ;) Serdecznie pozdrawiam i przeglądam następne filmy!

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

Cześć! Krótka odpowiedź: mój sposób poruszania się jest nastawiony na szybki ruch do przodu/do tyłu, czyli eksplozywną agresję i szybki odwrót. Ale nie jest to w żadnym wypadku jedyna słuszna szkoła pracy nóg. Uważam, że w walce mieczem długim w stylu niemieckim od stabilności pozwalającej na operowanie w 180 stopniach przed sobą, ważniejsze jest dosięgnięcie przeciwnika i uzyskanie przewagi mechanicznej w związaniu. Oczywiście równowaga jest nadal kluczowa - nie możesz sobie pozwolić na zachwianie - ale nacisk pochodzący od ciosów czy związania w większości sytuacji szermierczych nie jest na tyle silny, by powstało takie ryzyko. Oczywiście istnieją również techniki, które na celu mają obalenie przeciwnika i wykorzystują słabości w pracy nóg! Gdybym częściej spotykał ludzi, którzy dokładnie to robią - moja praca nóg wyglądałaby zapewne inaczej. :) Co do statycznej obrony - w szkole niemieckiej jest ona zupełnie niezalecana, z oczywistych przyczyn taktycznych: akcja czysto obronna nie daje natychmiastowej przewagi nad przeciwnikiem. Istotą niemieckiego miecza długiego jest obrona poprzez atak - praktycznie każda akcja defensywna opisana w traktatach polega na odsunięciu ostrza przeciwnika z jednoczesnym tworzeniem zagrożenia. Mam nadzieję, że wyraziłem się dość jasno. W razie wątpliwości - pytaj! Pozdrawiam!

[@kaerlupus]

Dzięki wielkie za szybką i jasną odpowiedź! No rzeczywiście, nie skupiłem się na tym, że obrona przechodzi w kontratak (nawet pan Sapkowski coś takiego u siebie pisał, mimo że przecież znawcą szermierki nie jest). A moja wizja statycznej obrony w sumie jak to przeczytałem to brzmi głupio. Wizualizując można sobie wyobrazić, że (wg tego co pisałem), wojownik stałby w miejscu i odbijał ataki z różnych stron - czyżby jak Jedi odbijający promienie blastera? Rzeczywiście głupiutkie ;)

[@mcneilohara1463]

Love the haircut

[@BornsToLose]

Quite weird use kenjutsu fight style on a double edge sword, but kinda work. Nice tutorial.

[@isherlock7128]

Can you make a sword tutorial about how to parry low strikes with the sword?

[@sparrowhawk81]

I do not fence in HEMA tournaments, but I fence longsword with clubmates and such. Just want to get that out of the way. I find that the weapon-forward positions work better if you get a good understanding of blade mechanics and how ceding parries work. This enables you to start an action with a thrust and if you are redirected to cede to the other weapon and come around for a cut or step aside and come back online. Granted, this stuff may not work that well in HEMA tournaments. I'm sure I'll be dismissed as a whiner, but I just don't really care for the way people fence in tournaments. A lot of caution is thrown to the wind, attacks are overcommitted, etc. Just my opinion.

[@thno3]

Who is the maker of the sword? Is this a commercially available piece?

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

It's available as a commission from me. :)

[@gr2192]

I really like this and the others video! I would like to star to train this and the other "moves",where i can find a training sword? one witch can't cut,to avoid to cut myself and other people XD

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

A wooden trainer is a good thing to start with. Look for them at histfenc.com A training weapon specialized for sparring is called a federschwert. I can recommend a smith going by the name "Ensifer" who makes top quality feders.

[@gr2192]

+The Sword's Path Thank a lot for the answer! :) I'll start with the wooden sword and then i'll hope to go further with the other you reccomanded me :) I was thinking to craft one,exept i have the fear to not reach the right weight

[@nobodythegreat]

Please make a footwork video I need to know how you do that, right now I'm guessing

[@martyshane7868]

Ты в соревнованиях участвуешь? Если да, то в каких?

[@TP123KING]

cutting video when!!??

[@Mikkovlog]

są jakieś tanie miecze półtoraręczne treningowe? edit. Jakie miecze polecasz na początek.

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

+Mikkovlog Drewniane. :) Sprawdź na histfenc.com

[@seanjohnmiami78]

Ursine armor?)

[@hypergalaxydraws6258]

I'm letting my OC Kira use this type of stance, the Fools Guard 2:17

[@facioact5556]

Could you recomend some music for sword motivation??

[@ravbright]

Two Steps to Hell

[@pearce7709]

Dawg we all know the witcher 3 soundtrack is the thing to choose here :)

[@relativisticvel]

What about Iron_Door/Barn_door?

[@j.m.vdlichte4692]

Wich martial art do you practice? And were can I learn it

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

+Jasper Van Der Lichte I practiced several, but my specialisation is HEMA.

[@j.m.vdlichte4692]

+The Sword's Path thank You very much. Love your video's btw and hope to see more

[@lordmorgoth7]

woah wouldnt the tip of the sword damage if you hold it against the floor like in the intro :0 but then again its made to stab somene through flesh so may be its not to worry, hopefully

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

It's a myth, my friend. Nothing will happen to your tip unless you forcefully shove it into a piece of rock.

[@angelus_solus]

Amusingly enough Musashi sensei preferred the "fool's guard", for the exact reason of throwing off his opponents. They had no idea what his game was and had no idea where he would strike from. Too bad the next lesson never came.

[@naotohoshiko9931]

where is Thé footwork vídeo?

[@GodsTrueHand]

you look like jetstream sam while doing the proguard. hell you even have the ponytail.

[@magic200100]

Did you make your sword?? if yes, is it for sale??

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

+ManosGr47 Yes, I make those. The price is about 600 EUR, depending on the customization. Let me know if you're interested.

[@magic200100]

Great, thank you. Keep up the great work!!!

[@magic200100]

If my height is 1.79 meters or so, what would the best sword length be??

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

+ManosGr47 Same as mine. :) About 125 cm of total length should be optimal.

[@cowboycowboy9592]

What are the steps to buy a sword from you?

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

Cowboy Cowboy store.audentia.eu for a standard sword of the path, or contact me directly through [e-mail] for anything custom :)

[@darekszukam9431]

Też trenowalem kendo pozdrawiam

[@sjeta]

That 'Pflug' is nothing short of a catastrophe. It more likely resembles a 'Brechfenster'. For a description of the Pflug see Cod.44.A.8, 25v

[@darekszukam9431]

Bardzo ciekawe mamy ta sama pasje

[@rikkisparx2980]

Anyone know what kind of sword he's using here?

[@Voolcan]

I think the german long sword

[@kalebanderson5311]

I think he made it

[@119winters5]

your voice is very low at times that i couldn't hardly hear you, however you make great video contents and helped my interests on Long swords nonetheless

[@michaelbragel34]

I actually use these for lightsaber duling. Yeah I know picture me white and nerdy....lol. Seriously my saber is very hilt heavy so long sword techniques are effective. Moreover over these low gaurd, and fools guard techniques allow me to use the weight of the hilt to an advantage as it tends to lead while "flicking" the blade out to defend, and reposite.

[@bansheemopar]

Your Pflug is also totally messed up, what you are doing is more a Langerort than Pflug. pflug is basically an Ochs, where you leave the point of the sword in the same height, but move your hand from your head to your hip. Therse wildly overextended handpositions are more the kenjutsu Seigan stance. So to sum up, I really like the speed of your movement and I think you are a someone who kmows his way around a sword, but by some reason you totally mess up the two guards that I think of as the most important. :)

[@eStecko]

Around 2:20 you mention 2012 swordman champion that liked to use Fool's Guard whose name escapes me, could you spell his name for me? Google keeps throwing League of Legends discussion forums at me, don't think I'll find him there. :)

[@TheSwordsPathChannel]

+David Kirth Jan Chodkiewicz / Ensifer

[@eStecko]

The Sword's Path Awesome I'll look him up, thank you. :)

[@chain-wallet]

this video is fukin great

[@dreambooktcg]

I'm arm, and this is the salt bath

[@jesus2639]

if i was fighting a home invader, who has a knife, id definitely stick with the pro guard.

[@lloydmcgriff98]

Thanks again friend. I am a fool. =)

[@Grockstube]

Make a movie!

[@chocolatetobi]

3:53 Was that a bear??

[@qiangluo1974]

i think most people first time holding a sword would hold it in a woman's guard.

[@michaelfranco5191]

😂😂👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@joaopedrojp1882]

um br né

[@БулбулНурбаева-з2з]

😂😂😂

[@Alekseus007]

Неплохо но как насчёт русских субтитров? Переводчик у Ютуба просто ужасен

[@shadow-monger5189]

If Hollywood does it or says it, always do the opposite.