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Author Topic: Learning Curve  (Read 8037 times)

Sir Ancelyn

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Learning Curve
« on: 2011-01-22, 19:53:13 »
Well, today I used a meat tenderizer on my right thumb for no reason.

Well, actually it was a shinai. This was the third class of the Historical Swordsmanship course at VAF. I learned a very useful lesson, if you cannot avoid their sword sliding along your blade then turn the sword so that the hilt/guard actually guards your fingers. This took me 3 sparring partners to figure out. (dunce!)

Sir Wolf

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Re: Learning Curve
« Reply #1 on: 2011-01-22, 19:56:46 »
ouch sorry man. dont give up though! you will learn :)

Sir Brian

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Re: Learning Curve
« Reply #2 on: 2011-01-22, 20:17:11 »
Me and my pinky sympathize with you!  ;)
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Re: Learning Curve
« Reply #3 on: 2011-01-24, 02:52:37 »

That's how I lost my thumb nail at WMAW. I raised my sword into an inbound zornhau, his blade slid down mine, and right into the front of the nail just as I was bringing it into the thumb grip (I believe I was going for the shielhau but ended up on the wrong side of his blade).
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Sir William

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Re: Learning Curve
« Reply #4 on: 2011-01-25, 15:05:46 »
Sounds like fun, Sir Ancelyn!  All part of the learning process.
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Re: Learning Curve
« Reply #5 on: 2011-01-25, 17:46:47 »
I had a very similar problem at the Longpoint beginner's longsword class. Apparently my brain is wired so that it thinks blocking with my knuckles is a good idea; I took 3 or 4 knuckle taps from a steel trainer sliding down my blade, doing drills, before someone pointed out that if I angled the sword better and was a bit closer, it wouldn't hit my fingers repeatedly.

I see why basket hilt swords became popular.
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Sir Ancelyn

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Re: Learning Curve
« Reply #6 on: 2011-01-26, 10:14:20 »
I definitely agree with you Sir James. My knuckles were indeed the first area to get hit . . . them and my left calf. Afterwards I moved my feet faster and just got hit on the thumb. Coach Pam, I swear I've learned that lesson.