Upgrades and improvements

Angles from rapier applied to longsword.

A superb week this week, from an increased attendance to the much greater effort by the students.
On Monday getting hit off the bat with a feinted zwerch, it's been nice to see great improvement and commitment all round.
All the lessons this week have been multi system, longsword vs longsword, rapier vs longsword and sword and buckler vs sword and buckler. Again focusing on the approach against wards and guards held on the right shoulder. This week has been (just as last week was) very mentally exacting, the methods of approach very precise and I'm pleased with the patience that most of you have shown in practising.

Tuesday nights Burn night as well saw an exceptional amount of willpower, not only was there the usual bugee H.I.R.T.S training, there was hi rep drills of the ropes, bulgarian bags and once people reached the point of virtual collapse, SPARRING. One student coming out with the line on collapsing "I have nothing left to give" he was wrong, he was back on his feet in a moment, and back to earning stripes (the colourful term we give to the marks from sparring). Really well done guys, it will get harder next week.

And Wednesday, much the same as Mondays class, several beginners in the class showing great patience and commitment. The sparring at the end was great fun, very forceful and great confidence on entering. However, all of us were (in my opinion) shocking on dealing with the after-blow, great and spirited and a lot of fun, but little regard for what came after. Aside from that critique, very well done.

getting ready for more of the same tonight, keep it up...Dave

Thursday update: I've just returned from training, and as a result of the attitude at training tonight thought I'd update now rather than wait...
You stood out tonight chaps, you trained excellently together, there was a palpable air of cooperation between each pairing. No one rushed or tried to disguise their mistakes, and when it came to the sparring... again the same feeling, enthusiastic and energetic assaults, yet cautious and mindful (says the man who got hit with the most excellent spinal blow while posing after a gutter cut). It was a pleasure to watch you all developing not only your individual skills, but also working hard to help your partners develop theirs.