Tags
advice, Guy Windsor, links, longsword, philosophy of fighting, Steven Reich, training philosophy, video
Interesting article, and another perspective.
Currently, I don’t fence my students much. When teaching 2,3 or 4 at a time I like to make sure that the students get as much chance to fence, during the time allocated to free play, as possible. This often means that I stand aside to observe, especially with even student numbers.
I am an aggressive fencer and some of the more timid opponents seem to be discouraged by this and don’t enter measure or attack when in measure. I try to give them the space to fence others of their level in the hope that they will learn how to be more aggressive. On the other hand, I use a 42″ blade and have long arms for my height (6′) forcing me to attack and then counter attacking can be a winning strategy.
Perhaps not sparring with me, does my students a disservice. Free play with one another may be reinforcing poor technique and conversely fencing me may discourage poor technique. Here is what Marozzo says on the topic:
Still I say, that you must never let any of the company’s new scholars play if you are not present so that you will be able to amend their mistakes. For in playing with others other than with the master they will learn bad habits which are hard to amend. Do not forget that they should not practice with different scholars who are not your students. This makes it more difficult. So, practice for more days that they may learn good practice that comes from God that has much theory, therefore I give it to you (Libro 1,Cap 4).
Another issue that makes me reluctant to fence my students, and other beginners I face, is the effect it has on my own training. Finding the balance between fencing with consistent good form and intent, and giving my opponent the chance to successfully effect a fundamental technique is proving consistently difficult, for me. Everard mentioned recently that I gain the blade effectively but fail to regain it when my opponent has it; this may be a teaching artifact.
Given that my aim at the moment is to make my fencing cohesive and competitive and I am not getting the tournament wins that I expect to get given my performance at training (perhaps I too am a victim of opponents in ‘teaching mode’). I need to find a way to fence students that includes the complexity that they can’t yet do and is slow enough to allow them to use the fundamentals they have been taught, successfully.
Read all that? Have a video:
gilbertdewolghop 
I think it is very important that you do some sparring with your students.
You are their role model and they will mimic you to an extent. You are also able to give them examples of good form and technique. You also get to observe what they do from the pointy end.
The trick however is to not drop into competitive mode. Try to sit 10-20% beyond their level. If they do things right they will score a hit.
Use this time also to work on your technique. Working with students means you have to be additionally aware of your won form. Make it perfect. This is challenge enough…8-)
Up til now one of my methods of adjusting relative fighting ability was to cut certain techniques out of my repertoire. I adjusting using only speed variation – have to make sure I don’t speed up in defence though.
The ability to set your internal gear is an important element within a training/coaching setting and this skill is learnt with practice. Having students at different levels in a class makes this even more challenging for you. On the flip side you can mix and match students so students are sufficiently pushed and grow.
At training you could try to slip into examiner mode (you do this well) for 4 out of 5 bouts against a student then up it a level to reinforce to them where the game is at. Also try fencing them with your left or a shorter sword. Monitor how the student is feeling. Remember “Make it fun…..”
Can you remember the advice I received from Sir James?
I also have problems with switching out of teaching mode when facing a personal student in a tourney. I feel its my role to study their game and provide feedback when I should be seeking the kill. I can change gears at training but not at tourneys.
Maybe we both need to get our gear box serviced or update to a auto:)
Cheers
Everard
Reblogged this on Asatru / Heathen South Africa: Ramblings by Karl Andresson.
Thanks for the attention 🙂