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Learning Styles for Martial Arts
Sir Percival:
--- Quote from: Hersir Thorsteinn on 2012-10-25, 05:51:00 ---Where are you located?
--- End quote ---
I'm in Vancouver, Canada.
Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'm thinking of seeing what I can do with private lessons for now, but I really do need to figure out some way of having written content to revise for myself. One of the things that I've encountered when I have actually sparred is an unsureness of sometimes how to respond to particular kinds of strokes. My tendency, like most analytical people, is to stop and think, not react, but that's exactly what I need to do with swordplay. When I do react, I tend to forget what I've learnt and just move the sword clumsily to stop an oncoming attack. Only in slow work have I thus far been able to execute sequences correctly, but again, I need a reference, as otherwise I'll quickly forget what I learn in a class or training session. In fact, I probably need a system where I can memorise and revise things regularly, given my experience with academic revision. My thought is that if I can memorise things verbally, they'll come into my mind more easily as I sword-fight.
This will be especially key when I can get back into horseback riding, as I find the minutiae of tacking up a horse, as well as even simple steering, quite difficult.
I know, too, there's some missing confidence on my part when it comes to sparring with others because I don't seem to pick things up as quickly as others do. While I've met many people who are honourable and encouraging, there have been some people, unfortunately, who are chauvinistic or otherwise unfriendly. Of course, to be chivalrous myself, I know that this involves shaking off such negativity and persisting, but I find it difficult. You're probably right that there are groups outside of the school who practise regularly, so I'll see what I can do get in contact with them, and do my best to choose and befriend other members who are respectful and patient.
Sir Edward:
Oh yes, give it time. It takes a long time for things to sink in for me as well. It just takes practice to get from having to stop and think, to being able to respond quickly. Not without thought, but quickly. From any given position that the opponent is in, there are only so many options he has with which to strike you. After a while, you can start making decisions more quickly as the subset of options available to you at any given moment become more intuitive, rather than requiring hard thought.
Lord Dane:
Good day Percival. I have been a Martial Arts instructor, weapons trainer, and SCA fighter for several years and can just offer some suggestions similar to what others have already to you. Find a group and/or person from your academy or local SCA group to train with to learn & practice. I'm sure there are several in your area. Although groups offer most in diversity, 'individuals' are more patient and easier to train with as a beginner. Privately w/ a more experienced trainer/person always works more conducive to your learning and skill level.
Once you are ready, I would suggest starting with basics (such as gripping/handling, stancing, balance, and forms) in stationary position (i.e. static) then progress onto blocks, parries, and strikes until eventually incorporating patterns of movement (i.e. dynamic) into your skills. Practice with bo-staff or wooden waster until you feel confident enough in your basics to advance to two-handed longsword. Remember to enhance in progression your mind, body, and skill in that order. Learn the needed knowledge (mind), apply the knowledge (body), and practice the skill set together (mind & body). If you take them out of sequence, it makes less sense in learning and mastering your skills.
Practice these skill sets with an individual at your pace. I use the "mirror image" when training individually because it works great with a single opponent and when training alone. Always face your opponent/trainer (as you would in a match or fighting) so you have a 'visual representation' to demonstrate in front of you and allows you to mimic his/her technique. Then when training alone, use a full length mirror to use yourself as the same visual representation and practice on yourself seeing where you can correct your mistakes and improve upon it. I hope this advice helps you in beginning your pursuits... :)
You have a wealth of knowledge in this forum. Use it often. God speed to your learning, and good luck with your training.
Jessica Finley:
Take this with a grain of salt, because it's just my opinion and one that might be vehemently disagreed with by others, but:
I began training Liechtenauer's art in 2003 all by myself. I didn't have anyone to train with. After a while I attracted some attention and got other people to train with. We had no masks, just wooden swords and a desire to learn. That's it. I kept on with this, clear through 2006. Sometime in 2006 or 2007, I got my first fencing mask, still working with wooden swords, daggers, poleaxes etc. Sometime in 2009 I got enough gear together to bout for the first time.
That's right, I had trained with solo drills and partnered drills for SIX YEARS before I felt a need to really start sparring to round out my art. Because of the way I trained, I don't have to think about what I do when I bout.
Sir Ed mentioned "Muscle Memory" but it's not really anything to do with muscles. It's getting to where you don't have to consciously command yourself to react. Imagine if, when you wanted to ride a bicycle, you had to think about how to balance. At one point you did, right? You had to think about it, and you fell frequently. Or you took a turn too sharply and wiped out. All of these things were learned by repetition in a relatively controlled environment. We don't take a 4-year old who hasn't learned to ride very well and drop him into a BMX track and push him down the first hill... that is what bouting is. Similarly, taking someone who hasn't internalized the rules of combat, and throwing him in a bout gives so many unknown scenarios (hills, jumps, dips) that he will react in an untrained and "wrong" way. Something that gets him hit and ruins his sense of confidence in his knowledge.
Now, with my students, I don't make them wait 6 years to bout. In fact, I'd not necessarily recommend ANYone learn the way I learned - ESPECIALLY if they have a school around to train at. But I do look for certain cues that my students have learned the "textbook" response to certain pressures and can react to that immediately and unthinkingly.
If you are the kind of learner who needs "words" to internalize something - that is fine. As your instructor to provide those words. For a German practitioner, it could be as simple as learning the verse. For a Fioreist, you too have shortened verse to go with each action. Pick up a copy of Tom Leoni's Fiore translation and learn those words. Chant them in your head *while* you do the action in solo drill. Then in class. Then, when you feel confident that you know basic responses to quite a few different kinds of attacks - you can use them in a bout.
Tom Leoni's Fiore Translation: http://www.freelanceacademypress.com/FiorDiBattaglia.aspx
Jess
Lord Dane:
--- Quote from: Jessica Finley on 2012-10-26, 12:04:44 ---Take this with a grain of salt, because it's just my opinion and one that might be vehemently disagreed with by others, but:
I began training Liechtenauer's art in 2003 all by myself. I didn't have anyone to train with. After a while I attracted some attention and got other people to train with. We had no masks, just wooden swords and a desire to learn. That's it. I kept on with this, clear through 2006. Sometime in 2006 or 2007, I got my first fencing mask, still working with wooden swords, daggers, poleaxes etc. Sometime in 2009 I got enough gear together to bout for the first time.
That's right, I had trained with solo drills and partnered drills for SIX YEARS before I felt a need to really start sparring to round out my art. Because of the way I trained, I don't have to think about what I do when I bout.
Sir Ed mentioned "Muscle Memory" but it's not really anything to do with muscles. It's getting to where you don't have to consciously command yourself to react. Imagine if, when you wanted to ride a bicycle, you had to think about how to balance. At one point you did, right? You had to think about it, and you fell frequently. Or you took a turn too sharply and wiped out. All of these things were learned by repetition in a relatively controlled environment. We don't take a 4-year old who hasn't learned to ride very well and drop him into a BMX track and push him down the first hill... that is what bouting is. Similarly, taking someone who hasn't internalized the rules of combat, and throwing him in a bout gives so many unknown scenarios (hills, jumps, dips) that he will react in an untrained and "wrong" way. Something that gets him hit and ruins his sense of confidence in his knowledge.
Now, with my students, I don't make them wait 6 years to bout. In fact, I'd not necessarily recommend ANYone learn the way I learned - ESPECIALLY if they have a school around to train at. But I do look for certain cues that my students have learned the "textbook" response to certain pressures and can react to that immediately and unthinkingly.
If you are the kind of learner who needs "words" to internalize something - that is fine. As your instructor to provide those words. For a German practitioner, it could be as simple as learning the verse. For a Fioreist, you too have shortened verse to go with each action. Pick up a copy of Tom Leoni's Fiore translation and learn those words. Chant them in your head *while* you do the action in solo drill. Then in class. Then, when you feel confident that you know basic responses to quite a few different kinds of attacks - you can use them in a bout.
Tom Leoni's Fiore Translation: http://www.freelanceacademypress.com/FiorDiBattaglia.aspx
Jess
--- End quote ---
"Repetition instills reaction" which means training methodically in the same way with consistency will eventually make it so your response to attack becomes innate or second-nature. Muscle-memory is a mind-set but nothing like repetition to make your skill set learned. I agree whole-heartedly Jessica. :) :) Good story.
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