Fighter practice Redux: St. Patrick's Bart

[learnteach]

Road trip to Berkeley Bart Bash

The hives aren't a big problem with the armor; just keep fighting, and the sword focuses you away from itching. Better itching than bruising, right?

Warmed up with Ascelin; long time! Worked on her shield positioning/blocking, and her stepping deep to slide under for the body/hip shots (moving on the diagonal). Worked on hitting down the center, with body turning.

Set with Vytas, working on being ready to throw mentally and physically. Twice caught him as he moved with a direct head shot on the first step, so that worked. Next time: welcome/visualize past/visualize win/still pond/ GO. He was working on stepping past the sword side, and was able to get through twice. We both need to work polka/waltz/boxstep to get the feet moving.

Set with RAT; he'd been in armor longer, and I was able to time him fairly well. Final bout he took advantage of the shield moving out and sunk a thrust, nicely done.

Set with Geoffrey Scot, who is much less driving in. It feels like he's dancing on the edge of my range, because he is...Discussed his level; much trickier fighting, physically not as strong. Encouraged him.

Fought Evander and Rurik, lost most bouts. Next time, fight them fresh. Did the watch and comment drill, encouraged them.

...
Sword hilt becoming loose. MUST find half gauntlet. New shield, too.

Polish and wax helm.

Comments

[noressa.livejournal.com]

Lather, rinse, repeat!

[ianhess.livejournal.com]

May I ask for more about "welcome/visualize past/visualize win/still pond/ GO"?

Sure.

[learnteach.livejournal.com]

Mental beginning to the bout. From Aikido: Expansively welcome your friend to your ground (so that you are ready to accept them with love and compassion, and assert ownership of the space, so you are positive.) From self confidence training: Remember briefly a bout where everything worked, where you created beauty, where you achieved your goals (terms differ/vizualisations differ, but a good memory. With a little practice this can be an iconic flash after a short while.) Visualize the perfect fight with this opponent, again iconically if possible, mindful of their strengths and weaknesses. Become the still pool that reflects all light; let the physical tension and emotional hold relax away. Then GO! (kiai mentally.)

Ok, so more words, but a set of visualizations/emotional tags to put you in the right mental/spiritual space for a good fight. One of many possibilities, but one that works for me and Vytas. A lot depends on your basic ego drive: where and why you fight, in your ego. That's a much longer discussion.

Re: Sure.

[ianhess.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Good stuff (for me) to think about.