ermine_knight

Arthur Buchanan and I were the only ones at the Aquaterra Sunday practice this week. We had a good training session, continuing with our work on fighting left handed. We worked on defense and blow mechanics.

Finally got to another Sunday Practice in Aquaterra. It felt good to be in armor again. Most of the time was spent working with Arthur Buchanan, who is learning to fight left handed. It was me and three members of Clan Carn at the practice.

The Largest horde of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.

http://www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk/

don't you just love the word "horde"?

Finally got to a fighting practice. There were four of us at the Aquaterra practice. I started off with a little training (someone who had taken my classes at Sport of Kings had some questions). Then we did a round robin / hold the field.

The event was great as usual. I thought Sword and Shield Defense on Friday. It is a four hour class. On Saturday I helped Duke Paul with one of his classes and taught a Movement, Balance and Focus class. They seemed to go well, but I ran out of time in both classes. There was more information to convey!
I had plans to do more at the event. I wanted to do pick-up for a couple of hours this year. I wanted to help with the knights one-on-one tourney field teaching. And, I wanted to fight in the tournament. (All things I didn't do last year). Unfortunately I wasn't able to do any of these. Maybe next time.

When to the Aquaterra Sunday Practice today. There was a good turnout and I enjoyed the fighting. Gil (Mike Berry) was in town and came out with me to watch. Although the turnout was good, all my fighting was with Natasha. They were all good fights. She is always a pleasure to work with. I adjusted a couple things. I was throwing my wraps a little more horizontal with a slight adjustment on range at impact. And I made a small adjustment to my foot work. All went well.

I went to the Madrone Wednesday practice tonight, but was the only one that showed up. Everyone else heading off to the war, I expect. I showed up early and didn't wait past 7:30. I took the time to fix one of my swords, clean up some armor, and do some sword drills and movements.

Registration is now available for Sport of Kings. http://www.sportofkings.org/
I will be teaching a four hour class on Defense and a 2 hour class on Movement, Balance and Focus.

I went out to June Faire today with armor in hand. Didn't fight in the tourney (we arrived too late anyway), but used the day as a fancy dress fight practice.
I got in some good training with Sir Rauokinn. We worked on leg defense. And I did a bunch of fighting with Sir Einar and Master Andras. It was a lot of fun. Great weather for fighting.

Went to Madrone Wednesday practice tonight. (otherwise known as Rauokinn's End of Month Regional Practice). Not a big turnout, but some good people to work with.
Started with some fights with Sir John Wolfstan. He was using the large rectangle shield. His comment to me was how well I controlled the range of the fight. My thought was that because range is so crucial to him I manipulate it.
I finally got some good training time with my squire, Heilyn. We worked on moving the body as a unit (in other words keeping the body connected), foot work, shield positioning.
I had a nice fighting discussion with Vilius.

Went to Sunday Practice in Aquaterra today. A good practice with some quality people to work with.
I was working on a slightly different hip movement with my offside blows. It's something I modified from my aikido training. It's quick and powerful but has limited targeting.
Sir Rauokinn and I practiced control of the shield. We worked on what I called a forward energy feeling. The idea is to not let your control, energy, and focus collapse. It's a powerful way to control close range fights or ones where your opponent pushed in on you.
I enjoyed some nice fights with Sir Loren. It's always a pleasure to spend time with him.

Sir Loren and I started with some slow work, then did some slow paced fast work. I stopped now and then to let him know what I was seeing.

Today I taught my Fundamentals of Defense class at the Aquaterra Ithra. I condensed my 4 hour class to 2 hours for the Ithra. I only had three students, but the class went well. I gave critiques on the shields they were using (size, strapping, balance). Reviewed basic fundamentals of shield work, foot work, range and balance.
We also went over several drills I recommend.
Because there were only three students I spent some time giving individual advise, which made the class longer and we went over time.
In the regular four hour class I would talk more about focus, sword blocks, other weapons forms, and more specific shield blocks. We would also do more drills.

I was unable to attend the Sunday half of the April workshop because of the Ithra. I look forward to hearing about it.

I was able to attend the April workshop on Saturday and attend the dvd viewing and critique at Dak's in the evening.
The workshop was very good. Mostly a lecture from Crown Prince Sean about his methods, followed by pick up fights outside (featuring Sean fighting as many as he could in front of a video camera).
I was approached by several fighters and was able to answer their questions and work on ways to improve. I tried to feature the ideas that Sean was talking about.
This was the last workshop for this year. A great success. Thank you, Sir Rauokinn.

We had a good practice in Aquaterra today. Great summer-like weather. I tried to focus on defensive drills and specific shot placement, even with the people that only wanted to do pick up fights.
Did some good work with Sir Rauokinn on defensive footwork. She is always a pleasure to work with.
And worked with Vilius on some balance and offense issues with fighting in close. Then we worked on some blows designed for opponents who tend to back out of range.
I did my own work on thrusting angles and proper range for blows as your opponent circles you.
I also did some of my own practice on balanced foot work, focusing mainly on the rhythm and timing of the steps.

I went to Sunday Practice but nobody was there. I assume people showed up later, but I couldn't hang around long since I needed to look after the young one. I did a few shield exercises and headed home.