The last two weeks have been good fighting for me. I learned a few new shots, really improved my guard, and managed to do alright against some really talented fighters. My shield work is getting much better and I'm able to be more offensively effected in the clinch(need a better term for this) than I have been in the past. However I'm going to be putting down the sword and shield for the foreseeable future and fight only Axe, Hammer, or Glaive, possibly till Pennsic. I haven't really formulated the goal into an actionable and testable result, but basically I want to be beating OTC level poles consistently before I switch back. The time table would normally be far too short, but with Duke Vis teaching me and the natural advantages I'll have using an axe or hammer over the straight glaive, I think it's doable.
That's the future though and I haven't really planned it out. Tonight will be my first time fighting just hammer. A few more weeks trying it plus some more work out of the Mair book and I think I'll have a plan of action and more concrete goals. Reviewing the past I'm really encourage by the past two weeks of fighting. The Knights hall had two great practices, partially thanks to Sir Mathew coming the past two weeks and bringing some folks, and thanks to Jaye's Fight Fit bringing more fighters to the hall for working out, which in turn brings them to practice. Sir Fedderock(whose name I have not idea how to spell) also showed up two weeks ago which was another boon.
As usual most of my fights have completely erased themselves from my memory and did so right after the swinging stopped. There were some highlights though that I have vague recollections of and are worth recording. I also got some interesting instruction from a Malegentian Laurel, I believe named Maguyver, though that might be a mundane name.
The only clear memory from Lastweeks ago was against Sir Matthew, who usually trounces me. He did that quite often that night as well, but during one fight I noticed he was leaving his sword hand very far out to his left. Usually he keeps it tucked closer to his head or shield, so that he's primed to throw his funky offside, where he brings the blade behind his head making it hard to track and therefore block. This time he didn't though. Usually when I try and snipe the hand he has it blocked by the shield, so I tried to throw the wrap shot where it looks like a snap till right before it lands. Got it off perfectly and it sailed past his guard to take the arm. Unfortunately the 5 times I've tried the shot since I've not been able to pull it off. It's either landed as a snap or started the wrap motion far to early.
There were some other lessons from Sir Fedderock and a dude who fought sword and axe, possibly his squire, but they were not retained in the 10% of things I manage to actually absorb from lessons. I think it boiled down to don't stand still, though there was more subtlety to it.
This week, I have a few memories. There were few exchanges where I got in the clinch with either Damon or Maguyver and I ended up being able to get my basket hilt over the edge of their shield. I was unable to capitalize, by not putting enough pressure on the shield when I pulled but I think I have the basics of technique and now I just need to get the power. I was able to get my sword free to throw a few wraps but didn't manage to get anything on them.
I also found that when some one closes, if I drop my weight and bend my knees, I can use the A frame defense to much greater effect. I'm still leaving my sword leg exposed a bit too much. Not sure how to fix that yet. Tried Lucans's lead offside to the arm pit another few times, still can't figure it out. Also discovered my sword was far too long and I'm not strong enough to move it well.
I learned two shots. One was one that I threw but immediately forgot how to throw it or what it was after I did. I managed to throw a low rising wrap, as if headed for the shield leg or right butt cheek, stepped in and brought the arm up, so the target was now the head, than kicked my elbow up and flicked my wrist down so that instead of landing with the point horizontal or slightly upwards facing, it was facing down. I have no idea if I can throw it a second time. Will need a lot of pell work to try.
The other shot I learned came from Maguyver. The whole night I noticed he was able to throw a lead shot and then throw a second shot to the same side almost right after. The second shot was a half second faster than I would have thought possible based on normal body mechanics. Turns out he's not cocking his arm. The first shot is thrown fast, mostly arm, and left hanging where it lands instead returning to guard. As the shot is blocked, he would step in, so that his shoulder and hip are in the same position relative to his wrist as a normal guard. This allows him to throw the second shot without bringing his arm back, because he has brought his body into his arm.
I was able to pull off the quick shot and step, but couldn't execute the second shot. Will need alot of peel work for that one as well.
I also had class with Duke Vis this week with the newly made polehammers. They are quite effective. He showed us a few weaknesses, like your opponent being able to hook the hammer on a thrust, and turn aside the thrust as he throws his shot. I doubt I'll have to worry about that in SCA fighting for a while, though.
He also showed a neat trick where, if your opponent blocks a leg strike or sets aside a thrust low, you can push the hammer slightly past their leg, then use it to hook them at the knee and lift them off balance. We aren't sure of the legality, so for now that will remain a trick for use at the Hall.
Finally we did the a play from Mair Polearm book. Fairly certain it was either Halbred or Poleaxe 1 but I'm not sure as I didn't look before class. I'll have to start reviewing that book more often.
The basics of the play were, throw an overhand strike at your opponent(called the murder stroke). He will step back, placing himself out of the way, and strike your shaft as it comes in, to guarantee the block. Your opponent will then thrust for your face, which will cause you to push his pole aside. This motion will allow him to release your pole(from where the hammer head has gripped it) and come around to where he will drive the head to the hammer into your wrist, preventing you from striking him.
This wist pin was awkward at first but very effective once we figured it out. It was the key point of the lesson in my mind. I'm not sure how offensively useful it will be in singles, but in melees it will allow you to turn a shield, pole, or perhaps even a spear into a complete non threat.
Back to the play, as your wrist is now pinned, you need to step back, freeing yourself to thrust into your opponent. He will parry by simply lifting the pole, keeping his hammer head under your shaft, driving the pole harmlessly upwards. From there, you fire down into the middle of his shaft on the inside of his right arm and hook it with your hammer. Step backwards, while pulling backwards and down, twisting your wrists to put pressure with the back of your hammer on his wrist. This will prevent him from using your pulling as a force to drive his thrust into you. As he resists, use his force to pull your thrust into his face. At this point he will take a step back, clearing your thrust with his back point and trying to leave the threatened area.
Overall there was alot to take away. The use of the hammer head to pin arms, both pulling and twisting. The use of the head as hook, and using your opponents momentum to build your own shot. The use of the hammer head as a way to set aside thrusts or pin weapons. Not sure if I'll be able to transfer any of these concepts to tonight's practice with Dan. He'll be fighting sword and shield only most likely, so it will be an entirely different game
