Longsword practice, Order of the Marshal

[Sir Brian]

Yeah thats one issue for me, I am not into the plate armor era at all actually as the crusades ended by then. There are viking reenacting too but I don't really have an affinity for that day and age. Still seems cool to spar with weapons, would like to try it one day dispite myself knowing almost nothing about sparring apart from some SCA/Markland style sparring with a sword and board.

Doesn't matter if you know anything or think you know everything about it. Find a couple people, grab some swords and shields, and have at it. There's no "test" for any of this, so have fun with it - longsword, sword and shield, polearm - all fun stuff. Find a couple friends, pick your favorite tools to try to kill with (oh, and not die), then, have a blast. If it's not fun, you're doing something wrong.

This is precisely how nearly every HEMA/WMA group got their start. A couple of like minded folks got together and 'rediscovered' these lost medieval martial arts. 

[Sir Edward]

Yep! The best way to do it "right" is to just grab some like-minded people to start a "study group" and have at it... and buy a book that shows the techniques. You guys can work through them from the book, and then try it out on each other.

Even better is if you can go to one or two HEMA/WMA events to let some people point out your rough spots and bad habits, then go back and put some of those corrections into your group of guys. But even if you can't do that, as long as you have a few enthusiastic people, you'll have a great time and learn a lot.

[Sir Edward]

Me doing my HEMA thing a few years back:

Looking good. Were those wooden wasters? I couldn't tell if they were wood or one of the newer synthetics. I was glad to see you guys not ramping it up to full power, since you were wearing light gear. Looks like you guys had some fun.

[Thorsteinn]

They were Dwarven Forge nylon wasters (which I thought were pretty good but others disagreed).

And I was working at about 25% power and 50% speed though in the vid of me vs Mike I broke his pinky badly in the last move. He did a stupid + him not wearing proper hand protection= bad day.

I liked it as it gave me a different perspective on fighting though what they learned from me was:

1) Don't depend on the bind as Ivan will try not to give it to you.
2) Don't depend on weefle blocks as Ivan may power through them.
3) 'Low percentage shot' does not equal 'will never get thrown at you', like leg shots for example.
4) Get used to getting hit cause I am.

What I learned from them was a whole new perspective that I am very slowly incorporation into my bastard sword from.

[Sir Ulrich]

Yeah thats one issue for me, I am not into the plate armor era at all actually as the crusades ended by then. There are viking reenacting too but I don't really have an affinity for that day and age. Still seems cool to spar with weapons, would like to try it one day dispite myself knowing almost nothing about sparring apart from some SCA/Markland style sparring with a sword and board.

Doesn't matter if you know anything or think you know everything about it. Find a couple people, grab some swords and shields, and have at it. There's no "test" for any of this, so have fun with it - longsword, sword and shield, polearm - all fun stuff. Find a couple friends, pick your favorite tools to try to kill with (oh, and not die), then, have a blast. If it's not fun, you're doing something wrong.

Yeah, thing is I barely know anyone close by whos willing to do any of this with me. Needless to say none of my friends like to duel, they'd all rather play video games than do ANYTHING physical.

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, thing is I barely know anyone close by whos willing to do any of this with me. Needless to say none of my friends like to duel, they'd all rather play video games than do ANYTHING physical.

I'd say something about the youth these days... but I grew up in front of my computer and nintendo, so... I can't.

[Sir James A]

Yeah thats one issue for me, I am not into the plate armor era at all actually as the crusades ended by then. There are viking reenacting too but I don't really have an affinity for that day and age. Still seems cool to spar with weapons, would like to try it one day dispite myself knowing almost nothing about sparring apart from some SCA/Markland style sparring with a sword and board.

Doesn't matter if you know anything or think you know everything about it. Find a couple people, grab some swords and shields, and have at it. There's no "test" for any of this, so have fun with it - longsword, sword and shield, polearm - all fun stuff. Find a couple friends, pick your favorite tools to try to kill with (oh, and not die), then, have a blast. If it's not fun, you're doing something wrong.

Yeah, thing is I barely know anyone close by whos willing to do any of this with me. Needless to say none of my friends like to duel, they'd all rather play video games than do ANYTHING physical.

You can use the time to acquire and read about it a bit, and as you're still young, you'll be going off to college or possibly just moving out in general, in the next couple years. Always the possibility you'll find others of like mind at that time. And if so, you've already got books & gear, so you're ahead of the curve. Try making a craigslist post to see if anyone is interested. I've got the same problem, nobody "local" so to speak (less than roughly an hour each way - which I already drive for work). I'd bet there is somebody nearby with similar interests, the key is finding out who they are, and how to find out.

Try checking any local youth groups. Or try checking some sports clubs. Maybe look for fencing groups. Ask around at faires, even wicked faire or anything with a half-medieval theme. If nothing else, it'll help break the shyness a bit, and best case, you find a training buddy (or two, or three). Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Yeah, thing is I barely know anyone close by whos willing to do any of this with me. Needless to say none of my friends like to duel, they'd all rather play video games than do ANYTHING physical.

I'd say something about the youth these days... but I grew up in front of my computer and nintendo, so... I can't.

Ha, me too. If it was daylight, we were playing football, basketball, tennis, dodgeball, wrestling, riding bikes - night time was console games, then eventually lugging computers across the street to play LAN games, when 56k internet was 'that really fast connection'. Of course, some of the favorites were Shining Force, Diablo I/II, Final Fantasy - fantasy/rpg stuff. If I was that age again, I don't know how I'd even begin to tear myself away from things like Assassin's Creed and the other immersive 3D stuff that's so common and in-depth today; half the games I had as a kid, you could beat, start to finish, in a couple hours max, and you couldn't save them anyway. So much easier to walk away from!

[Thorsteinn]

@Ulrich:

Where do you live?

[Sir William]

Yeah, thing is I barely know anyone close by whos willing to do any of this with me. Needless to say none of my friends like to duel, they'd all rather play video games than do ANYTHING physical.

I don't know if you've noticed, Sir Ulrich, but a lot of us play video games; myself, I'm a console guy so I'm into CoD, AC, GTA and am currently working my way through Skyrim.  Others, like Sirs Edward, Brian, James, I think Nathan and definitely Ian are PC gamers...Mount and Blade is something they've been talking about almost since I've known them, and/or the SW Old Republic MMO.  I grew up on Colecovision first, then Nintendo...by the time I was an adult, games had come a long way from the days of Donkey Kong so in essence, we're all like your friends to a certain degree.  The only difference being that, at least for me, video games by themselves just don't cut it.  A great little/big pastime to while away lots of hours but as I've gotten older, I find my desires turning to more physical pursuits.  For starters, I never seriously worked out til I hit my 30s- now its more for health than musculature but the two aren't mutually exclusive.  Fencing has so far proven to be a pretty physical activity- both in my classes and witnessing Sir Edward and Sir Brian put on impromptu duels...the only difference between that and a gym is the fencing is really, really FUN. 

Get acquainted with the material, read it, practice what you can- eventually you'll be going to college and depending on where it is, you may find that there's already an interest group formed for WMA purposes.  You might even make that one of your hidden criteria as far as where to continue your education!  Just a thought.

Ulrich is in NJ, Ivan.

[Thorsteinn]

.....
Ulrich is in NJ, Ivan.

Here ya go! Get into some armour and get some lovely rattan therapy.

The Southern Region
http://www.eastkingdom.org/LocalGroups.html

Map!

[SirNathanQ]

Ivan, where are the WV guys located? I lean more towards WMA myself, but I've always wanted to give SCA a go.

BTW Ulrich, it's quite possible to learn much by yourself. I learned the very basics by sitting in my room working on footwork and by swinging a sword in the backyard. While nothing truly compares to having regular sparring partners, it sure is something. 

[Thorsteinn]

For NathanQ: You are in the Kingdom of Aethelmearc. Look under 'Region 1'. (http://www.aethelmearc.org/    http://www.aethelmearc.org/groups.php) 

For to find out where 'you' might be SCA wise:
http://sca.org/geography/

Hope that helps!

-Ivan

[Joshua Santana]

Now this is interesting, first sword and board fighting, then the "evils" of video games then Local SCA Groups. 

Proud to say I also live in NJ, and in reference to Ivan's map, I would be in the Baron of Carillion.

Concerning video games: I relate to this as well, I used to play them (more action/adventure than rpgs).  I gave that up before going into martial arts and eventually HEMA. I do not regret it at all 

Get acquainted with the material, read it, practice what you can- eventually you'll be going to college and depending on where it is, you may find that there's already an interest group formed for WMA purposes.  You might even make that one of your hidden criteria as far as where to continue your education!  Just a thought.

That is the plan indeed, that is also how I got my start in my studies in German Longsword and now the Bolognese Swordsmanship tradition (focus on the sidesword itself with the buckler, but will get into sword and rotella shield, polearms and the Spadone).

Even better is if you can go to one or two HEMA/WMA events to let some people point out your rough spots and bad habits, then go back and put some of those corrections into your group of guys. But even if you can't do that, as long as you have a few enthusiastic people, you'll have a great time and learn a lot.

That is my intent in going to NHSC, since I have got a good start in Bolognese sidesword, I would love to refine and drill my basics which are always important. As the saying goes "Patient (or persistent) practice of the fundamentals will assure you victory, do not be impatient with the fight."

In regards to the SCA, i will consider giving it a go after college, what is great is that there is Cut and Thrust Fencing (steel weapons and bucklers are allowed!)  Which is more historically accurate than the familiar rattan combat and its Rapier Fencing (which prohibits percussive cuts).  Type in Cut and Thrust fencing on youtube and you will find some good stuff there.

[Sir James A]

Ivan, where are the WV guys located? I lean more towards WMA myself, but I've always wanted to give SCA a go.

I'm not sure if it's still active/popular, but there is/was weekend practice on Martinsburg, WV. That's the town near my house, but about 10-15 minutes closer. I've considered going up there to check it out once I've got my 'to do list' back down to reasonable and have the time to go check it out without feeling that I'm getting into more things when I'm already close to 100% capacity. Let me know if you check it out!