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fandomhigh2009-09-30 02:16 am
furious-maximus.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2009-09-30 02:16 am
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Infantry Tactics [Wednesday Second Period]
This week the run began without any ridiculously heavy equipment to put on first. "This week we're starting things off easy," Max explained. "You've learned how to move, and stay in formation, and carry a shield, and you've done well enough that today you're going to get to do something dangerous. Today I'm going to give you swords." Well, blunt training swords, but you could still hurt someone pretty badly with one if only by smacking them in the head.
"Various people have argued for various weapons to be issued to their troops for all sorts of reasons, but you will each be issued a training gladius because it is an extremely flexible weapon. It has been argued that the short length of the blade robs the gladius of the sort of elegance a longer weapon has, and that's true. But war isn't elegant. A longer blade is harder to control and more likely to get away from you. And since you should be standing in formation with your squad mates, that's a serious concern. Better a weapon you can control when loss of control can take out a friend."
"And lack of elegance is actually a good thing here. Remember that you're part of a unit. You work together and you keep each other alive by paying attention to your squad mates at all times. If you had some nobleman's dueling sword you'd be temped to try something fancy, and you'd step out of formation to do it, and then you'd get someone you were supposed to be watching out for killed."
He turned to glare back over his shoulder to drive home the importance of his next words. "I will be teaching you nine specific strikes. You will then practice these nine strikes until you know them by heart. And you will not use any other moves with a sword in this class unless I give you leave to do so." The nine legionary strikes had been developed over centuries to be efficient, easy to learn, hard to screw up, and, above all, effective.
Since they weren't carrying any extra weight Max pushed the run a little faster and a little farther than usual, but he figured no one should have a problem with that. Eventually he drew to a stop at a cleared practice area and picked up a training blade from the waiting pile.
"There are four diagonal strikes," he began. "Up and from the left," he intoned as he demonstrated the strike. "Up and from the right, down and from the left, and down and from the right." He exhibited each move in turn. "Notice that these are not sweeping gestures. They are short and controlled, involving minimal effort." Max began demonstrating the next set. "There are, as you've probably figured out, two horizontal strikes, one from each side, and two vertical ones, upward and downward. And finally there is the straight thrust."
Max's eyes narrowed suddenly. "The straight thrust should almost never be used. You are fighting in a formation, and that means that winning just means outlasting your opponent. Your strike just has to be enough to draw blood. Do that over and over and eventually your enemies fall down and you win. Nothing fancy. None of those whirling flourishes that are in the movies. A short, quick slash is all you need."
Stepping back, he waved at the pile of swords. "Grab your gear and find some space. Practice the strikes I've shown you, and I'll come around and correct your form." Because, yeah, he expected them to screw up.
"Various people have argued for various weapons to be issued to their troops for all sorts of reasons, but you will each be issued a training gladius because it is an extremely flexible weapon. It has been argued that the short length of the blade robs the gladius of the sort of elegance a longer weapon has, and that's true. But war isn't elegant. A longer blade is harder to control and more likely to get away from you. And since you should be standing in formation with your squad mates, that's a serious concern. Better a weapon you can control when loss of control can take out a friend."
"And lack of elegance is actually a good thing here. Remember that you're part of a unit. You work together and you keep each other alive by paying attention to your squad mates at all times. If you had some nobleman's dueling sword you'd be temped to try something fancy, and you'd step out of formation to do it, and then you'd get someone you were supposed to be watching out for killed."
He turned to glare back over his shoulder to drive home the importance of his next words. "I will be teaching you nine specific strikes. You will then practice these nine strikes until you know them by heart. And you will not use any other moves with a sword in this class unless I give you leave to do so." The nine legionary strikes had been developed over centuries to be efficient, easy to learn, hard to screw up, and, above all, effective.
Since they weren't carrying any extra weight Max pushed the run a little faster and a little farther than usual, but he figured no one should have a problem with that. Eventually he drew to a stop at a cleared practice area and picked up a training blade from the waiting pile.
"There are four diagonal strikes," he began. "Up and from the left," he intoned as he demonstrated the strike. "Up and from the right, down and from the left, and down and from the right." He exhibited each move in turn. "Notice that these are not sweeping gestures. They are short and controlled, involving minimal effort." Max began demonstrating the next set. "There are, as you've probably figured out, two horizontal strikes, one from each side, and two vertical ones, upward and downward. And finally there is the straight thrust."
Max's eyes narrowed suddenly. "The straight thrust should almost never be used. You are fighting in a formation, and that means that winning just means outlasting your opponent. Your strike just has to be enough to draw blood. Do that over and over and eventually your enemies fall down and you win. Nothing fancy. None of those whirling flourishes that are in the movies. A short, quick slash is all you need."
Stepping back, he waved at the pile of swords. "Grab your gear and find some space. Practice the strikes I've shown you, and I'll come around and correct your form." Because, yeah, he expected them to screw up.
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