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It's funny that you call the last exchange entirely in the spirit of KdF fencing because when I, a Vadi exponent, look at it, I see it as very Vadi: your opponent assumes Vadi's posta di donna (13:12) and enters with a gathering step thereby keeping his legs close together under him (Chapter 10: "Also I advise you when you have entered, be with the legs not too far apart") and then cuts a mandritto fendente with footwork exactly in line with Vadi's advice in Chapter 10 (a demi-lunge basically). You wait in posta longa on the right and as your opponent starts his cut you cover the line ("When you wish to enter into half sword [krieg] / as the companion lifts his sword / then don’t hold back / Grab the tempo or it will cost you dear") using Vadi's version of posta frontale and throw your zwerch ("And if the companion strikes, and you all of a sudden / parry, making then to the head / a blow with the false edge carefully") as a single-time counter (Chapter 14: "Of all the art this is the jewel / because in one go it strikes and parries.") I guess it really is all the same thing in the end.
I absolutely agree that, as swordspeople, we should be able to both deal with and be aggressive fencers. However I do crave for less linear fencing, as there are a few clear opportunities where offline footwork might have save you both from doubles and afterblows.
It's something you see in a lot of martial arts-- people tend to think of it in terms of "self defense." But it's two halves of a whole. You have to be able to attack well, otherwise you're always responding, and a skillful attacker always has the advantage. Football players say, "the best defense is a strong offense." It's something that HEMA people would do well to learn from modern fencers.
Comment written while watching the video. TBH I believe the second exchange was the opponent going in with assumption that he would trigger your zwerch once more and him moving the blade to the right wasn't a feint, but prepared parry which you considered a feint. Kudos to the white fencer for recognizing that you took the bait but in different way and changing the plan on the fly. I think the main problem with the fight here is that your opponent is indeed agressive (and kudos to him, as I find myself often too afraid to commit so much or even close a distance in such a way), but his agressiveness is not in any way prepared, he just charges you without any scouting. bind work or fancy footwork. Then, in the exchange where you focused on your own application of zwerch, your opponnent was in fact doing more than just rushing in (even if what he did was similar to the first exchange). Your point about closing the distance and getting into other 50% of fencing is valid, however it's contingent on preparation. Final point one can make is importance of tactical flexibility. Your opponent was well prepared for your zwerch ripostes, but continued banking on them for way too long, well after you adapted. I think the most important lesson here is you won the fight before it started by giving the advice you gave (:P).
The simple way I'd define an aggressive style is one that, provides near constant pressure, and threat, while seeking the vor. While charging can employ these, it can also turn you into a buffalo, and balance is needed and as you say there are many ways to do this without being violent. Be more assertive, less charging/hyper aggressive. I agree a lot with your assessment of the use of the master strikes and many masters tell you to be aggressive/assertive. I think I disagree with white fencer not being a buffalo, plays using the master strikes are used regularly to defeat the buffalo, and you're utilization of them here, to great effectiveness, showcases there application of use against the buffalo.
I think there's an important distinction between aggression and force, though. Aggression is vital to strategy, but being "more aggressive" should not equal hitting harder; if someone is swinging full force at you, they're fencing sloppy.
Ok. Having sen would you call a "left Zwerch" at 2:30 I know why you said in the other video about sources that Zwerch as offensive counter strike against Oberhau does not work. This looks to me like a "high flying Mittelhau". A commited Oberhau will get through for several reasons.
Kunst Des Fechtens German for the art of fencing It's a common acronym used to refer to most German sources that share a rough connection to Lichtenauer over a 200 year or so period
Si offende qualcuno se scrivo che il tizio vestito di bianco fa una scherma che sarà pure aggressiva, ma tecnicamente penosa e con un passeggio pessimo?
When you don't actually die, aggressive fencing is better. When you die, affressive fencing is a suicide (you may win the exchange but your're very likely to die in the process). The choice depends on what is your personal idea of HEMA. If you want to be historically accurate, don't be aggressive. If you want to win tournaments, be aggressive as referees struggle to see hits that aren't very obvious and they will miss a lot of first intention hits (so you want to keep attacking until they see something regardless of whether you get hit or not).
Seems weird considering how many texts, very specifically, tell you to be aggressive. It's almost like there's a huge advantage to being trained AND aggressive, even I'm a dangerous duel
@@HEMA_Fight_Breakdowns Mostly German texts tend to have an aggressive mindset because they had even back then "recreational" duels with blunt swords. Other texts talk about proceeding with resolution but there's a difference between "resolution" and "zwercoptering with no regard for your own safety because you want to mark a hit". Being aggressive (in the modern HEMA sense) would result in you being dead or disabled with sharp swords or at the very least is a very very risky bet.
@robertoprestigiacomo253 the hell are you smoking Fiore tells you to be aggressive, even Fabris tells you to be aggressive. Enough with the sharp sword unarmored duel to the death bullshit excuse. These people are literally screaming at you to be aggressive and you somehow think it's more accurate to ignore them What a joke
@@HEMA_Fight_Breakdowns In the words of the great saber fencer Gen. George Patton: "I don't want any messages saying 'I'm holding my position.' We're not holding a goddamned thing. We're advancing constantly and we're not interested in holding anything except the enemy's balls. We're going to hold him by his balls and we're going to kick him in the ass; twist his balls and kick the living shit out of him all the time. Our plan of operation is to advance and keep on advancing. We're going to go through the enemy like shit through a tinhorn. "
@@HEMA_Fight_Breakdownshey, be polite. Nobody has attacked you, you can confront your opinions without being necessarily pissed (if my comment sounded passive aggressive, that wasn't the intent, I have never seen your videos before today). Having said that, Italians don't tell you that. I know because I am Italian and I can read the original texts in the specific case of Italian masters. Fiore is very based on counters, it's really his main thing to react to enemies actions. Though in some points he does comment in being aggressive, it's in specific plays. Overall, he likes to be attacked and that's the main difference between him and Meyer and his concept of keeping the initiative. Fabris talks about (literally translated) proceeding with resolution. As I mentioned, that's a bit different than fighting aggressively IN THE MODERN HEMA SENSE. My main point is that people have different views of what HEMA and in one case aggressiveness is good, in the other not as much. No looking down on anybody who choose one or the other, they are just different approaches to modern hema. You may disagree and that's ok, HEMA is full of debates like this one, it's literally what we talk all the time during gatherings and events, etc when we hang out without being triggered.
Wait people believe that throwing a right side zwerch as an opening action is really the correct interpretation??? Who thinks that!? I mean, go read the glosses - almost EVERY single Master Cut is presented as something you do IN RESPONSE to your opponent doing something.... these aren't "Opening Actions" They are all ways to Gain the Vor from the Nach.
I am surprised you don't wear shoulders and have minimal rigid forearm protection. HEMA is quite safe compared to say hockey, rugby, or even the knee injuries that are so common in tennis or ultimate frisbee. But it is also a game of numbers: if you spar/compete at higher/competition levels of intensity every once in a while you will get a wacky shot that can hurt you. Why not wear rigid protection over your surface bones? Nearly every place requires knees/elbows/hands/mask(duh) but fore arms and shoulders are relatively easy to damage by those freaky low probability but surprisingly common hits.
I do have rigid forearm protection, it's just under the jacket. As for shoulders, the natural padding is usually more than enough and this particular spot isn't usually covered by rigid stuff. You can't actually cover everywhere and past a certain point you are just adding more weight and limiting range of motion
I'm in a different position in my 70's. I need a bit more protection. An as for aggression most of my opponents can get retreat faster than I can run in.
@@HEMA_Fight_Breakdowns I agree that there is such thing as too much gear, but for me the boney points of the shoulders are worth covering. I think people should wear what they want, just don't whine is they get hurt due to choosing insufficient protection.
@@craigshukas9121 I am in my 50s, so knowing you are still active is an inspiration! There is a fellow in my club in his mid 60s, but you are the record holder AFAIK Do you still compete? Or are you more recreational? Do you do any specific exercises or use additional gear?
I gave up completion a year or a few ago. But there is a fellow 10 years my senior still active, though not in competitions in South FL. I hope to stay active at least that long but who knows.
