Fighting Tutorials
Contents
Sword and Board
Colloquially, "sword and board" refers to the style in which a fighter uses a shield in one hand and a weapon in the other.
Stance
From either sword or shield foot forward stance, with a careful step a fighter can switch to the other. An effective stance is one in which you are stable and nimble, for most people this means the feet are about shoulder width apart and one foot is forward of your centerline and the other foot is just behind centerline.
Sword foot forward
A sword foot forward stance lends itself to a slightly more exposed fighting style and longer reach. A solid sword-side defense is beneficial, as using ones shield to intercept on-side attacks will close off lines of attack while exposing the off-side shield shoulder.
Shield foot forward
A shield foot forward stance allows for more defensive coverage at the expense of reach. This is an oldschool style that works well in formation, but can be static and vulnerable to shoulder snipes and deep wraps.
Upper Body
In the majority of situations shoulders squared to the opponent is preferred over presenting a more shield side angle. While traditional martial arts thought would lend to the idea keeping the body oblong to the opponent would be better, in sword shield fighting, if the sword hand is set back, it is less available for defensive actions as well as taking longer for offensive shots.
Shots
On-side/Off-side
On-sides or Off-sides refers to which side from centerline a blow is delivered on an opponent. A sword wielded in the right hand, swung into an opponents left side is an On-side strike. When swung into thier right side, it is an Off-side strike. It is helpful to differentiate between the two because the body mechanics necessary for delivering sufficient force from either side varries. It is also a useful tool when discussing specific strikes and thier anatomy. The following techniques are meant to be a general overview of the basic movements involved in fighting weapon & shield.
- On-side cut
- On-side stab
- On-side wrap
- Off-side cut
- Off-side stab
- Off-side wrap
- On-side moulinet
- Off-side moulinet
Footwork
Footwork covers how one closes distance or creates space between an opponent in an engagement.
Gathering/Passing Step
A gathering or passing step refers to a step in which the rear foot is lifted, landing forward of your centerline. This looks like a normal walking step and is a good way to advance on your opponent. Running obviously will get you there faster. This sort of straight forward motion opens angles of attack toward your leading leg and foot, but covers the most distance in the least amount of time.
Compass Step
A compass step refers to a step with the leading leg around a centerpoint that is your opponent. This sort of step opens oblique angles on your opponent that force them to adjust thier stance in response. This can be put to practice in order to bait and switch or snipe a loose defense.
External Links
Magnus' Fighting Tutorials 1: Equipment and Stance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqrdDeUzdu4
Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 2A: Attacking Shield Side - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e1_GrtVuo0
Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 2B: Attacking Shield Side - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58slu3BP8yU
Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 3: Attacking Sword Side - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdWHsYOH3NE
Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 4: Defensive Shieldwork - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhQIOyiP8MY
Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 5A: Fighting Lefties - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yqcy71h0EpM
Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 5B: Fighting Lefties - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwjWb8T-Em0
Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 6A: Aggressive Shieldwork - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FttIi47k7KE
Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 6B: Aggressive Shieldwork - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG3heIQtW6c
Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 7: Basic Footwork - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBVXs3aD1tk
Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 8: Shield Kicks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPJF17CClB8
Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 9: Ground Fighting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZirkxoMDxK0
Spear Fighting
Long Spear
Grumio's Spear Fighting 101 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwo2Qs8ZgKU
Grumio's Spear Fighting 102 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAaLq6huhcA
Grumio's Spear Fighting 103 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_-8DnKshqU
Grumio's Spear Fighting 104 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hejo06WjGoU
Grumio's Spear Fighting 105 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgaZjYbKxtU
Grumio's Spear Fighting 106 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5VwLWp0zok
Short Spear
Brett Down Spear Basics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j0mHzVf5BA
Repelling boardmen with downspear - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdMo7IyEQn8
