Kristophe
Provost
Posts:81
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| 08/23/2006 8:56 AM |
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I'm not sure if this is the correct forum spot for this, but I thought it would be interesting to have a series of 'practical' topics relating to rapier combat itself. There are a lot of different fight styles available and each fighter has their own tips and tricks for doing various things and this is the perfect avenue to share ideas and improve our game as a whole.
One of the fundamental aspects of rapier play is the control of measure (distance) between the two combatants. Obviously, if one fighter has found a way to control the distance to his advantage he has a much greater chance to win the 'bout. Most specificially, this generally tends to be done by sneaking measure in some manner - in which you get the opponent into striking distance before they realize it and you strike them without warning.
While I'm no great shakes as a fighter I think my grasp on theory is sound - would anyone care to share their tips and suggestions on how they do this? A few examples:
1. I'm stealing a tip from Lothaire here, but he tends to hold his guard stance fairly extended. He then gradually drifts it back during the fight and his opponent always sneaks a bit forward to maintain blade engagement. In some instances they don't even realize they've come forward into measure until he's throwing the shot.
2. I've seen fighters (myself included sometimes) who circle during the fight and gradually shave distance off by taking small diagonal steps. Obviously this can be risky because the opponent may realize it and turn the tables since you are providing them measure as well.
3. I've seen fighters who use a rear leaning (Capo Ferro style) posture that makes them appear further away. Then they can approach somewhat closer with their feet without the opponent realizing that they can rapidly gain reach just by leaning forward.
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jgreywolf
Hai Gioco?
Posts:685
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| 08/23/2006 10:42 AM |
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Addendum to #2
Instead of taking small diagonal steps - just take smaller steps when circling. Less obvious - though yes, you are still providing your opponent measure as well. Now, take small steps while circling and then add in the action of slowly removing your blade at the same time (combo of #1 and #2), and this becomes even better for you. Provided that you can respond in the correct tempo 
#3 I suppose could be seen this way - but I do not. Capo ferro is not neccessarily a rear leaning stance to make you body appear further away. You are removing your "trunk" (torso) as a target. Your hips and shoulders should be parrallel to each other - and the ground. You cannot be in this position if you "lean" back. It is a subtle distinction.
However, you can follow a tip from Giganti - from third, angle your back foot more towards your rear, and move it backwards a bit at the same time. Bring your offhand next to your ear, and lean your upper body back so that your weight/center of balance is overt your back foot. Your pommel should be pointing towards your left shoulder, with the sword at shoulder height, inside your opponents blade, and pointing to either their left or right shoulder - depending on the position of their blade.
The idea being, you are in a totally defensive mode here, and if your opponent thinks that you have retreated and attempts to move forward and attack, you control their blade and lunge - without actually moving your feet (ie, just lean forward into the lunge position).
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Justin Greywolf (SCA: Ramon Diaz de la Vega)
Director
Old World Martial Arts - Teaching Historical Italian Swordplay in the Pacific Northwest |
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Alvarro
Too many posts...
Posts:301
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| 08/23/2006 12:00 PM |
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| The absolute best way to control measure is to understand it. Measure drills should be the staple of your training. |
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Prudence. Temperance. Fortitude. Justice. |
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Kristophe
Provost
Posts:81
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| 08/25/2006 10:41 PM |
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Far better title Albert, wish I'd thought of it! I can't seem to edit the thread name but hopefully one of the moderators could correct it.
Thanks for the feedback everyone, I appreciate the additional instruction. Alvarro - what kind of measure drills are you referring to? Ranging drills where you determine your max range or 'measure control' drills in which you try to maintain a constant distance from a moving partner? Or is it something more arcane? Secret Whitescarf knowledge hidden from the masses?
Kieran was showing us a few days ago how you can sneak measure by pressing an opponent and then retreating. You pattern them into systematic advances/retreats until they overcommit chasing you (at which point they've basically thrown themselves onto your attack). I'm not explaining it particularly well but it was neat to watch.
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welder
Provost
Posts:95
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| 08/28/2006 3:45 PM |
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I'll second what Randy said, and point out that measure and time are inextricably linked. Without a tempo in which to move you can close measure, but not do so in safety.
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Utgar the Mad
Provost
Posts:104
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| 10/13/2006 11:24 AM |
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A measure drill that I found very interesting was one shown to us (Aquaterra) at a recent practice by Tora Taka....
Basicaly from two lines one line is an attqcking line the other is the line "Attempting" to maintain measure.. and actually remain just at the edge of the opponents reach.
Start slow so your fighters can get it first
Line B creeps to jsut at the edge of what they think is measure
Line A Makes an attack either a lunge or a simple attacke (Designate in advance so no one gets skewered  )
Line B then using only footwork tries to move jsut enough to keep the tip from connecting ... think near miss with the tip hovering a couple of inches from the target.
After a time you can move this to full speed (depends on the fighters) and you can allow the fighters to randomly chang how they are attacking.
Do this alot switching sides occasionally and attack types as well as partners and have the attackers try and be as tricky as possible. As the fighters get better see just how close they can keep it without getting touched
Whats interesting is that it starts to train the brain to pick up all the little nuances that actually make up the true distance that a fighter can reach. and it starts to be a natural running estimate that your brain just keeps track of without the fighter having to really think about it consiously. At least this is what it felt like with me... i dont tend to retreat alot during combat but this type drill certainly made me more aware of when Im in measure or not.
I also especially liked this becasue a fighter that is jsut at the edge of range can get someone to commit (overcommit is better) and that makes the attacker vulnerable to a counter as they recover. possibly uncovering some mistake on the disengage that you can exploit.
Anyway this was one I liked
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