Class 4: November 7, 2004

On to sequence three after reviewing the first two sequences.

I've been studying historical combat since July 2002. I struggled quite a lotmy first year, because I had problems learning weapon technique and footwork at the same time. (I've often wondered if this is because I've studied dance all my life. In dance, I'm used to giving most of my attention to my feet and very little attention to what my arms are doing. My feet are used to paying close attention, and my arms are used to daydreaming.)

I'm having a much easier time with rapier, probably just because I've been studying historical combat for awhile and have adjusted. However, while I'm focusing on rapier and dagger technique, I also find that my legs tend to do what they know best: German longsword footwork, which is bigger and broader than rapier footwork. I'm also tending to do more than I need to get out of the way of an incoming sword. With longsword, I often lunge to get away from the blow. When there's an incoming rapier thrust, I can do a little pivot to get out of the line of attack. Because the German swordwork I've been studying is based on the work of Joachim Meyer, I'm used to cuts, not thrusts.

It's fun to see and feel the differences between the longsword and rapier and dagger.

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