thegirlsclub

[audax]

So, while the Iron Rose is an interesting read and has some useful stuff, it has it's limitations. The Bellatrix material is much better and more versatile. We've discussed it here before.

When I work with new women fighters, they spend alot of effort trying to hit harder and only striking a surface blow. They wind up, they chamber, they grunt and throw as hard as they can and still only deliver a rather light shot. The upshot is, they aren't using the right set of physics.

In SCA combat, it is not sufficient to strike the surface. The blow must stick into the opponent. What this requires is use of the whole body plus follow through. In other words, the blow must originate in the back big toe, go through the posterior power chain (calves, hamstrings, butt, gut), into the shoulder girdle and out the hand into the stick. And at the end you must avoid starting th return too early. The exhortation to "use your hips", while well meant, is misleading. It makes people think of their body as separate pieces, when it is one piece. If you want power anyway.

I can throw a crippling blow with my left hand, which is my weakest hand. I do this by "corkscrewing" my body, even dropping my center a bit s I rotate. I can do the same with my right dominant hand. Sword foot forward, sheild foot forward, doesn't matter.
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Martel le Hardi
squire to Meser Lyonel Oliver Grace, fostered to Sir Gaston de Clermont
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The Minstrel's Champion

[Corby de la Flamme]

Shield leg forward.

For the same reason that baseball batters and golfers are dominant hand back.

I believe it is a cruel thing to suggest that someone who isn't powerfully upper body muscled should fight sword foot forward, at least if they live anywhere that an opponent requires any level of force on a good blow.

[audax]

Welcome aboard, Sir Corby.
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Martel le Hardi
squire to Meser Lyonel Oliver Grace, fostered to Sir Gaston de Clermont
-------------------------------------------------------

The Minstrel's Champion

[Colète]

Kicking up some old dust here….

I've never been much of a fan of the sword-foot-forward style, based on the kinetics and physics of fighting. My personal martial arts background is in Tai Chi Chuan (mostly), and if you watch closely you'll see me using a little dragon/tiger style in my SCA heavy fighting. It works, helps keep power in my shots, keeps parts out of the way that don't need to be in the way, and if incorporated with the Ansteorran high-style then it can help you present a smaller target for your opponent. That doesn't mean you can't step around with the sword foot to deliver certain blows while up close and personal with the opponent, though.

Its much easier shown than typed. That being said, if any of the newer fighters would like to see, pull me aside should you spot me on the field. I've been out there since 1994 and won't be stopping any day soon.


Regards,
Colete

[Ceanag]

My problem is not in delivering blows that get called. I authorized in Atlantia, and have been fighting with one of the most aggressive and heavy hitting groups since I started.

My problem is with follow-up blows. I have difficulty resetting quickly enough to deliver sufficiently powerful followup blows when fighting in a melee situation where I may face more than one opponent.

I've been meaning in improve that, but switched to spear this last year and have spent a lot of time with that instead.

[ViolanteV]

[Isabella E]

With a single sword I just try to hit everybody as hard as I can because I know I am never gonna hit them nearly as hard as your average Aten knight. I do not do that with a spear or a polearm though.
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It's not the most powerful animal that survives. It's the most efficient. -Georges St-Pierre
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