So the other day I posted a link to a group studying Silvers fencing system. I noted that he seemed very aggressive and intense. In thinking more about it, I came up with this: One of the most interesting thing in considering multiple interpretations of the same material is the perspective granted by a particular interpretations background. The video portrayed someone who has studied pugilism and grappling extensively, so it would follow that the sword work merely plays into this. I come from the fencing world of the SCA, where grappling is not used. There fore my stance is more upright and conservative. You can see it better by looking at one of the basic concepts of Silver/any fencer....closing. The grappler is always looking for the gryp, grapple, conclusion, whatever. Everything else is used to get to the clinch. In the video, the fencer had a boxers stance with very high impulse sword work, designed to distort the opponent just enough to make their shoot. Once in close, probably in the gardant fight, they can execute the fight as they know best. I will not be grappling anyone any time soon. I do not need to be so close as to manipulate their elbow or shoulder. I still must close to gain the place. I might do this using the slow hand, a sort of feint that is just real enough to draw them into a parry. I would step lightly into this motion and bring myself to a distance where I could strike without further footwork. I have found this works very well using blade contact. You can feel their motion and can enter during a shift in their movements. Nothing is ever absolute, and people using the same system may be attempting very different paths towards their goal.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 19:47:47 +0000
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