Napo 7 - 2021 - Swordplay
My Grandaughter is learning
'the way of the sword'.
Swordplay, not modern fencing.
with its rules, and limitations.
Foil, Epee, and Sabre
can come later if she wants.
We'll find her a teacher
if she chooses to 'go formal'.
We use safe swords,
made from heavy foam pipe lagging.
She works off surplus energy
after being 'good' at school,
and develops 'combat awareness'
without it being spelt out.
Quarterstaff lessons, with real sticks,
are a more measured practice.
Training rather than fighting.
I teach her Medieval swordplay,
a boisterous mix of hack
and thrust, and stamping
on any sword too close to the ground.
When short fights tall the ankle-hack,
so obvious, is tempting,
but a four-limbed defender
turns it against the attacker.
Whatever works.
Baron Sable's pragmatic schooling.
I taught her a selection of parries,
and, once she learned deflection,
I taught her avoidance.
How a side-step makes you safe,
and opens up the other's defence.
It's already like fighting myself,
she absorbs it like a sponge.
But I kept catching her out
with one sneaky combination move.
More go than show,
practical rather than theatrical.
"Teach me how you do that."
I could hear her frustration.
"No, not this time, Pet.
Work it out for yourself.
Do an action replay in your mind
every time I catch you with it."
It's almost Judo-esque,
using their own strength
to defeat them
Last week she escaped a sword-lock,
cut away and under, sidestepped,
and nailed me. Hoist with my own petard ;-)
A sharp blade would have sliced,
deep into my ribs.
She was so pleased with herself,
and so was I.
Now I'll teach her not to rely on it.
I'm having to dig deep, re-finding
old skills and reflexes.
My line of warrior women
continues unbroken.
Gyppo
