Hello and respect! In HEMA the rule is often declared that the arms are faster than the legs and precede them in action. But in exercises like the Meyer Square, it seems clear that changing stance dramatically slows down the movement of the four-cut sequence. The essence of any pair of diagonal cuts is that it is most difficult for the enemy to repel such a combination of attacks at maximum speed. Because you have to turn the sword over not only between the right and left sides, but also between the upper and lower levels. If the guard moved between the right and left sides, we only need to turn our body and move our hands without turning the tip of the blade up or down, this is very convenient. If you just need to parry a blow from below, take turns from above - we only turn the sword over in our hands without using a body rotation, and this is also convenient. But when AT THE SAME TIME we turn the body from right to left, and additionally turn the sword from top to bottom (or in the opposite direction), then the risk of awkward movement increases sharply! The person who is defending is late much more often when he parries a pair of diagonal cuts, along a trajectory between the right and left sides at the same time as the change from the upper level to the lower. Logically, it seems clear that at this point the change of stance slows down the series of two strikes, giving the opponent a chance to prepare for the complex movement of the sword both from right to left and between up and down. Do you think Meyer's exercise may have been based on a different leg movement technique that does not slow down the high-speed series of cuts? Otherwise, the idea of teaching a series of cuts turns into separate single strikes with too many intervals between them while we move our feet.
@@Grauenwolf Thank you for your thoughts on the role of exercise in understanding the amplitude of the technique. This is certainly one of the meanings of a wide swing, but perhaps not the only one. Considering that there are a lot of fighting techniques in medieval textbooks, it is logical to assume that the swing allows you to act not only from a long distance, but also helps to move your hands with the sword back when an obstacle appears in front of you in close combat. Accordingly, the positions of the legs in close interaction with swords can be lined up in opposition, in comparison with those that are used at maximum distance. This is because mechanically there are different types of forces that require different levels of stability. I'll attach a video of the reverse kick, it's very short. Please take a few seconds to watch it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DP698S7R-Mc.html
@@Grauenwolf For me the patterns look a little different. Of course, the role of the opponent is important in what kind of step you choose. But what is also important is what type of force you use in the attack movement. The cut can be similar to the movement of a whip and only accelerate the light part of the blade. Also, the force can be as heavy as possible and the center of gravity of the sword accelerates to strike with the strong part of the blade, literally like chopping wood with an ax. The type of force determines which leg is in front; stability should coincide with the direction of the cutting force vector. In Russia, there were a lot of disputes about this in the fencing community. Is it possible to put the opposite foot in front for stability? I believe that this debate is almost useless, for example, in Chinese sword techniques there are a lot of strikes with both the one-sided leg in front and the opposite leg position. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZjaoAm8skWM.htmlsi=SDCmYrcMUN-gup0i
Speed and strength are generally concepts that i dont think are what gives you the advantage. I prefer measure, tempo and leverage to be the determining factors of who is in control. I think footwork should be incorporated in every action you perform to persue gaining the upper hand in these three aspects. Also all too often we see peope standing in each others measure exchanging blows and not using their feet. So i would encourage someone to always move with the sword, body and feet.
@@KeomegaManAtArms Please take a look at my version of constructing a series of 4 cuts for a Meyer square. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KAHYfKF8Qgs.htmlsi=F3c9IMMTwdhrEg7B It will probably be unusual for you to see this approach, but this is just one of many options for combining different mechanics of making cuts. To make it easier for you to view, start at the 3:00 mark.
