sword_chocobro: ((older) lean back)
Gladiolus Amicitia ([personal profile] sword_chocobro) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2024-07-19 04:56 am
Entry tags:

Hitting Things With Big, Sharp Sticks; Friday, Third Period [07/19].

"Last week," Gladio said, "we talked about a lot of the basics of sword work, had some time to sort of play around with some different sizes and styles to get a feel for it, and also try a few standard moves and stances. Now, we're going to put some of that together with a few basic fighting techniques against each other.

"Now, we've got a really wide range of experience and skills in this class, so some of this is going to be really rudimentary for some of you guys, but I still want you to really focus on it and treat it like it's a new skill for the first time. A lot of times, when we're doing something often, we lose track of some of the mechanics on those little things that we believe to be second-nature by now. Really focusing on them is a good way to sharpen thing back up and fix any little bad habits that may have been developing in the meantime. And if you haven't done it in a while, it's a great way to bring those good habits back. And once I go over the instructions, I want you to find a partner and give it a try. We've an uneven number, so I'll be happy to jump in there myself. Try to find someone who matches closely to your own experience level, though. I've no doubt you more experienced swordsmen'll help out our newbies, but I don't want anyone feeling too overwhelmed, and I want this to be a collective learning experience, you know?

"So, today, we're going to learn about a simple overhead strike from above, the defensive tactic to counter it. Then, a counter to the counter, and then two different methods of a strike to perform if your opponent, instead of countering your initial attack, takes a defensive maneuver instead.

"We'll go over the techniques, practice some of the moves on your own as I lead you through them, and then partner up and try to recreate them, taking turns on who has the first attack. If you start to feel you've got it down pretty well, feel free to try other approaches if your sparring partner is comfortable with that, otherwise...practice makes perfect. It might be boring and repetitive, but it's helpful in building up muscles and muscle memory so that, in the moment of a real attack, you can think fast and let your body to most of the work on its own."
momslilassassin: ([neu] grown up ben)

Re: Class Activity: Basic Sparring - Big Sharp Sticks, 07/19.

[personal profile] momslilassassin 2024-07-19 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"Defend," Ben said with a little smile. "I have a lot of experience in dodging."
mylandmyrules: (Default)

Re: Class Activity: Basic Sparring - Big Sharp Sticks, 07/19.

[personal profile] mylandmyrules 2024-07-19 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"Good to know," Nell said with a smile of her own. "Okay..."

She began the overhead strike, keeping in mind the response to the counter that Gladio had showed them. She wasn't very good, but she'd clearly had at least a little practice with this.
momslilassassin: (Default)

Re: Class Activity: Basic Sparring - Big Sharp Sticks, 07/19.

[personal profile] momslilassassin 2024-07-19 08:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Ben, meanwhile, moved with the fluidity of someone who'd been working with a bladed weapon since he was old enough to carry one. He moved through the defensive maneuver Gladio had shown them.
mylandmyrules: (Hopeful)

Re: Class Activity: Basic Sparring - Big Sharp Sticks, 07/19.

[personal profile] mylandmyrules 2024-07-19 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Nell countered as she'd been shown and smiled at him. "You're very good!"
momslilassassin: (Default)

Re: Class Activity: Basic Sparring - Big Sharp Sticks, 07/19.

[personal profile] momslilassassin 2024-07-19 11:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"Thank you," Ben said with a grin. "My teachers would be pleased to hear I haven't lost too much of my touch." He struck back using the moves Gladio had shown at the end.
mylandmyrules: (Default)

Re: Class Activity: Basic Sparring - Big Sharp Sticks, 07/19.

[personal profile] mylandmyrules 2024-07-19 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Nell countered a little too slow and just barely ducked out of the way. "Whoops!"

She shook herself out. "Do you mind running that again? I'll get my sword up more quickly this time."
momslilassassin: ([neg] uncertain)

Re: Class Activity: Basic Sparring - Big Sharp Sticks, 07/19.

[personal profile] momslilassassin 2024-07-20 12:09 am (UTC)(link)
"Sure," Ben said. "Watch my wrists so you can see when to counter."
mylandmyrules: (Happy Y)

Re: Class Activity: Basic Sparring - Big Sharp Sticks, 07/19.

[personal profile] mylandmyrules 2024-07-20 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
Nell watched carefully and this time she met his attack with the counter and beamed at him. "Oh, I got it that time! Thank you!"