Wednesday 19/02 - Sword Fighting

Sword Fighting

We were shown the various types of swords that we could use when sword fighting.

The Épée and Foil swords are used in fighting and it is important that they are kept in their pair as the swords may be damamged if they are not used with their type.

Our first lesson in sword fighting was learning how to parry. A parry is a defence manoeuvre to block or deflect an attack. We were taught five parrys, which we would then put into use when choreographing a sword fight. To practise these parrys, we moved swiftly from one another as if we were defending ourselves in a fight.

1. Protects the lower left side of the body

2. You then move the sword across your body to protect the lower right side of the body

3. Protects the right side of your upper body

4. The sword then swipes across to protect the left side of your upper body

5. The sword comes up in front of your head to protect your head and shoulders.

 



 

Once we had learnt to parry we began to put them into use by taking swipes at our partner while they parried (deflected the stabs). Taking a swipe means to bring the sword around towards your partner. Once we had practised with swipes we then parried with stabs, which meant we took quick stabs directly to the five positions of the parrys.

We then began to move the fighting, using the advance and retreating steps we learnt during our unarmed combat. It was important that if the “attacker” advanced the “victim” must retreat to ensure that no injuries occurred. Before the fighting begins we had to make sure that we were at our safe distance, much the same as when doing unarmed combat. It is imperative in sword fighting that the safe distance is kept because although the swords are safe damage can still be caused if not careful.

Once we were comfortable with our sword technique we began to include lunges to attack and retreat as well as the molinero, which is a movement where the wrist twirls the sword around. It is a more intricate way to take a stab at your partner.

I struggled with the sword fighting slightly as I am left-handed and found it near, impossible to fight right-handed. This meant that I had to learn positions differently to my partner, who was right-handed, meaning we had to be more cautious when advancing towards one another.