Changes

[dominyk]

I find it amazing that SCA rapier has morphed so much in just the short time that I have been participating. "Short time" being a relative term, I started about 10ish years ago. And that is a long time to do anything, but a short time compared to how long some people have been playing.

The change from epee to heavy rapier has been the biggest and

Comments

My 2 cents

[gianetta]

My prediction is that you gradually will see more people spending time studying and drilling in a particular system in the next few years. Over time, I think you'll be seeing those people kicking butt on the field, but in a style that is more historically correct than what developed before people had ready access to good translations and explanations of the fighting systems and swords that were any good for them. You can't do Capo Ferro with a foil or old schlager blade, and not many people can make sense of it without the help of a good translation and explanation

Re: My 2 cents

[dominyk]

Studying a period style is great and wonderful. And many people could benefit from some hours of drilling. But what about studying all of the styles to learning concepts they teach? And then building your own style that fits your body, sword type and rules of our game. In other words, pretend like you actually had to apply your knowledge as a sword fighter(like they did in period

Re: My 2 cents

[dante_di_pietro]

"But I will point out that the last tournament he won was the C&T tournament at Pennsic where people spent a whole lot of time bragging about their period style

Re: My 2 cents

[dominyk]

"you literally could not risk a hit of any kind or you were done."

Good. I'm glad you had fun and that you triumphed so convincingly.

"The first type is vanishing. The cultural shift, as I see it, isn't about A&S vs. C&T vs. HR, but about what fencing means to people."

The focus on A&S and C&T has hastened this cultural shift.

"It has moved from a strictly competitive venue to one that is cooperative as well

This cooperative nature pervades the entire tournament environment at the expense of competition, even extending to the tournament fights themselves. Trust me on this, I actually ENTER the tournaments.

It seems to be what people want and enjoy, so I guess I have complained too much already.

Re: My 2 cents

[alricthemad]

I guess I remain firmly in the 'well this seems to work so I'll use it to win' column. Granted what worked well for me several years ago really did stop working several years ago and I am trying to redo my game to figure out what will work for me.
Based on this discussion I understand you question at practice last week. Currently I have no answer about the utility of Dante's teaching in my own fight. Honestly I don't think I ready to move much beyond very basic movement and attacks/parries. I expect I can use that information to get a proper lunge into my game and use it at the correct times, eventually.

Re: My 2 cents

[dante_di_pietro]

"This cooperative nature pervades the entire tournament environment at the expense of competition, even extending to the tournament fights themselves. Trust me on this, I actually ENTER the tournaments."

I guess I haven't felt that. Actual tournament bouts are the same for me as they ever were. Well, actually, they hurt more since cuts to bone can be ugly even by accident. I've come back from events with my skin sliced open, though that is thankfully rare.

I do think people are developing better now, though. Think about how much work we all did in the last year, just from a fitness standpoint. I don't think you can fairly claim that people are opposed to pain when half the world is doing P90X.