Basic Sword Skills [Thursday, Period Three]
Today was going to be a day full of innuendo whatever Max did, so he just dived straight in. "Today we're going to talk about sword lengths."
His eyes were narrow as he swept them across the room. First one to snicker or snort was going to get an angry Max in their face.
"A weapon's length, much like its curvature, can tell you a lot about how it will be used. But it turns out that length is even more important. While curvature creates a tendency to be used in certain ways, length is a physical thing. Longer weapons provide greater range, shorter weapons are easier to handle. If you hold the longer blade in a fight you want to keep your opponent outside of your range, moving just close enough to strike before backing away again. If your blade is shorter then you want to get inside your opponent's reach, continually pressing forward to keep them from holding that advantage."
"Simple physics means that a shorter blade moves faster, this makes it extremely good for quick maneuvers. But a longer blade requires less extension for the same strikes, and that keeps you out of harm's way. Each person's style is suited to some balance between the two, but there's always someone using a longer blade than you, and always someone using a shorter blade. Today you're going to learn how to fight in either situation."
"Each of you will pair up and select weapons. You'll spar until class is halfway over and then you'll switch weapons with your partner. Anyone who wants extra attention or pointers or can't find a suitable partner, come see me."
"Well... what are you waiting for?"
His eyes were narrow as he swept them across the room. First one to snicker or snort was going to get an angry Max in their face.
"A weapon's length, much like its curvature, can tell you a lot about how it will be used. But it turns out that length is even more important. While curvature creates a tendency to be used in certain ways, length is a physical thing. Longer weapons provide greater range, shorter weapons are easier to handle. If you hold the longer blade in a fight you want to keep your opponent outside of your range, moving just close enough to strike before backing away again. If your blade is shorter then you want to get inside your opponent's reach, continually pressing forward to keep them from holding that advantage."
"Simple physics means that a shorter blade moves faster, this makes it extremely good for quick maneuvers. But a longer blade requires less extension for the same strikes, and that keeps you out of harm's way. Each person's style is suited to some balance between the two, but there's always someone using a longer blade than you, and always someone using a shorter blade. Today you're going to learn how to fight in either situation."
"Each of you will pair up and select weapons. You'll spar until class is halfway over and then you'll switch weapons with your partner. Anyone who wants extra attention or pointers or can't find a suitable partner, come see me."
"Well... what are you waiting for?"