Fighter Practice Log (8/28)
A while ago, I told myself I would write comments about every fight I ever fight. I was doing it in a notebook, which fell apart. (Need to get a new one). Then I did it online on my personal site, but I fell out of the habit. So... I will try and start logging my fights here.

- Master Alan, single

I can't tell if Alan is in teaching mode or not. He can still whip up on me on demand, but at various points during the fight I feel I complete control, knowing where he is going to be going, how he is going to throw the next shot, and appropriately attack in his tempo. This might go on for two or three passes, then I get hit with something that I couldn't explain even if I wanted to. Then the next pass, I feel as if I am in control again.

It was as if he was guiding me to different attacks, and ever so often bringing out the "I'm still in control, even if I let you hit me, don't forget that." smacks to the head.

Things learned: I need to work on my point control more. My inside line is well defined, same with my right line. My left line needs more attention when I don't have a dagger in that hand. Fighting with something other than sword and dagger all the time might help there. :)


- Master Kit, sword & dagger

theblueleader is progressing by leaps and bounds. About 4 months ago, I could trap her sword with my dagger, stay at my desired range and take 4 or 5 shots at will until one connected. Now, she is very aggressive in closing. She is getting much better at taking my sword offline prior to coming in, but she's still vulnerable to letting me completely control her sword in the process.

Even her "practice garb" (except for the "normal" pants) is quite nice. One day... (yes I know, she's been doing this for quite a bit longer than I have, and isn't a Laurel for nothing, but that doesn't mean I can't be both envious and want to be dressed like that already... Yes, attack_laurel, I know ... small steps are good steps ... at least my shoes are OK now. :D )

Anyways, Kynny pointed out to her that my inside line is pretty much locked down, and that I have an opening that she should try for, throwing a shot at my left shoulder, extending and twisting towards the shot while doing it. We fought another 4 or 5 passes and I did notice the opening, and while I was able to defend her attacks, its because I knew she was throwing the shot well in advance (like, because it was what she was just told to do... duh) Yep. Big hole. Bladye (sp?) from the West Kingdom threw the same shot on me twice at Pennsic, killing me both times. Yep. Big hole. Need to work on that.

Things learned: Big hole pointed out by Kynny. Need to work on that one.


- Master Robert, single

We didn't do many passes, due to Robert's hand hurting from working at the farm. While I don't remember much of it, I do remember in-fighting and getting thunked when I didn't think it was possible. Robert explained it when it happened, and while I had been told before, it was another refresher since nobody else at the practice seems to do it.

Things learned: When in-fighting, and my opponent pulls his blade way behind him, MOVE. Get out of dodge. Fast, and throw something in the process. Life is gonna suck otherwise.


- Giacomo, my 40 vs his 30.

Ugh. Prior to Pennsic, Jimmy told me that I had the potential to be not just good, but great. However, it would take breaking me first. I made the mistake of saying "OK, its after Pennsic... so, you gonna break me now?"

Note to self, that was dumb.

He made me work, constantly. He never stopped moving, never letting me "know" his range, and never giving me an opportunity to get "set" like I have become accustomed to. Any shot I threw got pushed, beat, or parried and then Jimmy was face to face with me. I had previously thought my inside fighting tactics were not awful, but every time he came in, I couldn't help but hunch up, tighten my muscles and prepare for the worse. Yes, Jimmy is a swat cop, so he's got professional training at this sort of thing, but no I should be able to do *something*, even if that means run away and keep him at my range.

Of course, I did get "the worse", once. Jimmy had a rather stout draw cut under my left armpit which was followed by a thrust back into the armpit. It would have been alright, had the tip not come off during the draw cut. This is my second time being hit with an untipped sword, and I must say... I'm rather glad I was wearing armor at the time.

Things learned: I need to work on continuing with multiple intentions. I normally have 2 or 3 in my head at any given time that I'd like to continue through, but I need to be able to just not stop. Maybe I can find someone to do the parry-riposte drills I did as a kid. Parry, riposte, Parry, disengage, attack... over and over and over. Not a set order, but just simple basic techniques over and over. Never lunge, never actually hit your partner, just work on basic techniques for 10 to 15 minutes. When I was a kid, we did this without jackets or masks, it was part of our warmup drills. Freddy and I did this at my first university for 10 minutes, prior to the first rapier class, while we just talked.

I also need to work on keeping MY range. Jimmy kept moving around me, coming in and out and in and out, and ever so often would leap inside. Had I been more active with keeping MY desired range, I would have (in theory) been able to keep him away and controlled the fight more.