Class 3: October 31, 2004

What a treat to go to rapier class on my favorite holiday -- Halloween!

We reviewed the first sequence and learned the second today. Each sequence has some pretty interesting skills. The second sequence has one skill I especially like, although it's going to take awhile for me to get coordinated. What I like is: as I do one of those neat rapier sloping steps and block an incoming rapier with my dagger, I pull my own rapier back to get ready to deliver a thrust. It's like a "push-me, pull-you" sensation. (Think: Doctor Doolittle.  The original movie, not the Eddie Murphy remake.)

We began focusing on reaction and timing. As in, "Yikes! There's an incoming blow! I'll make a panic move to get out of the way!" We're also using the weapons with a bit more force (such as knocking a rapier away with your dagger) instead of being polite with them (such as gently blocking and barely making contact).

We also learned a very cool and fun disarming technique. Patri pointed out it's more for flash than historical accuracy, and proceeded to demostrate with Mark how it would actually be easier to impale your opponent (in a real fight) than disarm him/her.