I love how you included that interested bystander in the middle of your instruction, almost without a pause at all. You, Sir, are an example of what makes this society great. And thanks for the instruction videos in the first place! Having to re-learn some things myself after coming back from a hiatus, and these really help.
Absolutely, if people are interested, getting them involved is the best way to hook 'em! :) And you are very welcome, I am glad these are helpful for you. Let me know if there's anything specific I can do to help as you get back into it, and/or look me up for some pickups at Pennsic! :-)
As I make the delve from HEMA into the SCA side of things, I cannot help being drawn by the glamour of the gear used, and your beautiful tunic and shield are so wonderful to behold. I'm in envy at the elegance of it all, and seeing the way you move so fluidly is like a demonstration of performance art.
Thank you, I am honored! I admit I don't make any of it myself, but I am proud to be a 'patron of the arts' for some amazing talented people. They make me look good, I just swing a sword! :-)
@@DietrichvonStroheim I'm currently trying to put together 'baby's first kit', and I must say, I aspire to one day be as snazzy in garb as yourself. But more importantly, I should hope I get to encounter folk as welcoming as you seem in this video, as the details and welcoming behaviour really give hope on entering this hobby.
There are some guides out there for building a decent basic shield. But for something fancy, Nicholas is your man. You can reach him here on Facebook: facebook.com/ShieldsByNicholas/?fref=ts Good luck bud!
I love this society its perfect for people who have curious minds like me,most people are more than happen to talk about things with you and explain how it works...
As most the comments say, you're an amazing teacher. Your coverage of footwork in particular is an amazing bit, and one I'll be using on a regular basis. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you! It is just fun to help other fighters figure out what works for them...plus an investment in the art, to grow more good fighters to compete with! :)
Interesting seeing the differences between what you teach and what my class learns (George Silver). We learn among other things backsword (usually no shield) and are unarmoured. All the differences seem to make sense considering the equipment differences. Footwork is identical except we lead with the other foot. When blocking we aim to sweep the back foot around about 45 degrees to bring our bodies out of the attack's arc. Hanging guard for us is pretty much the finishing position for your moulinet block. We would also try to initiate strikes from the wrist then arm then body then feet as it's quicker whereas your method is more powerful and probably better suited to armoured combat.
Good observations. I agree; each combat sport has its differences. I fight and teach armored rattan combat, unarmored steel, and armored steel, and while each has differing rules and mechanics, I think about 95% of fighting is the same or easily translatable, across all rulesets of swordsmanship.
If I may, how does that last part of your technique work? I'm trying to envision how the strike goes from the wrist down into your body, but if you wouldn't mind elaborating a bit, that could help.
I am no longer a Scadian, but I grew up doing it. in the days of Duke Sir Talemar and Duke Sir Comar of the Midrealm. Since then I have moved on to other groups and games. But I have to say the basic instruction that you offer here has proved quite useful to me in getting back into practice. Plus you can add cross discipline to the feathers in your hat as I've been teaching my Amtgard fighting company to moulinet. :) ~ Brill Laaksonen
Marrowbourne Outstanding! I love helping folks improve their fighting prowess. And what can I say, I love feathers in my cap too ;-) Best of luck to you!
As someone thinking about getting back into the SCA after years of HEMA, it's good to see that sourcebook footwork has been incorporated in my absence. Not having to worry about edge alignment is going to be weird, but at least the feet will feel at home.
SCA novice here (Atlantia), Sir Deitrich you're whole kit is incredible.... I cant even watch the video. I'm completely distracted by you're beautiful but very agressive/rigid looking center grip shield. Center grips are my favorite kind of shield but have only used them in another full contact Medieval Combat game. Everything else looks fantastic leg harness, tabard, spurs, boots and white belt of course. Kudos on the German name as well. I couldn't date your kit. But I'm a 14th ct enthusiast, So that's probably why I really like your kit. ~Warwick
BrandonHeadley5 Well met Warwick. You honor me greatly. Center grips are a lot of fun, and allow a very different style of fighting than is commonly seen in our kingdom. I am aiming for a 1380 portrayal with my kit. You can't see the late 14c brigandine coat under my surcoat, but I am wearing it in a couple of my other videos too. What part of Atlantia are you in? Look me up at an event, and I'll offer you some fights, cold refreshment, and the shade of my field pavilion.
DietrichvonStroheim G'day guys, just starting out with my local SCA group in Australia. I've been thinking about what kind of shield I want to make. I do like the one you're using in this video considerably for the shape and the size. Do you have any advise as to how I could make one?
DietrichvonStroheim I'm glad to hear that, sorry for the delay. Thats great, I'll have to try a center grip for sca, especially if I get a chance to use one!! 1380 is a great year for a kit... I'm aiming for 1346 to 56 but I love it all man. I could honestly see myself having a kit from the 1340's to the 1390s. I have a specfic kit or a picture I'm working towards, I can show it sometime if youd like. Thanks a lot thats much appreciated. I'm just a little south of Baltimore, MD, So techincally Lochmere. But I usually practice at the Barony of Storvik and was thinking about Trying Roxbury Mill. Nice to meet you Dietrich.
Samuel Harrison I'm actually wondering what type of shield it is, pavise maybe? I', looking to fight with a center grip heater which is very similar imo. it might be your best bet.
are you serious?! THAT'S all a moulinet is? and here I was believing that is was some super secret mega advanced move that I just couldn't understand yet cause every time someone tried to explain it to me I just couldn't get it. so THANK YOU
You are welcome! Like many great fighting techniques, the moulinet is simple and you can learn it in a few minutes...and spend years and years mastering it! Good luck!
Compass step confused me for y ears. Till I realised it was. Compass Step is like the drawing tool with the point and pen that makes circles. Not the device for finding magnetic north used in navigation.
+Caerwen Cool. Footwork is one of the most under-taught aspects of armored sport combat in general. Learning or figuring out a good footwork system will pay big dividends.
There is youth combat, with different age brackets including yours. Generally most equipment for youth combat is either inexpensive, or you can make it yourself fairly cheaply or get it at a play it again sports store. You should look up your local group, I'm sure they could help you get started!
Hey! I wanted to say how awesome this video is, especially since I just getting into SCA and my local group only meets once a week! This series helps immensely with practicing at home. I was also wondering what your shield is made out of to achieve that shape and the thickness. I'm guessing Fiberglass?
+Alex VanSickle Excellent! I'm glad to hear this is helping you. I had lots of requests at Gulf Wars last week to do some more videos...I've just been really busy as of late! My shield is high grade aircraft aluminum.
+feldwebel999 Thank you! I fought with it in a tournament yesterday, and tried not to take advantage to one-shot people while they were staring at it! LOL
We all have our talents, but making epic-looking gear like that is definitely NOT one of mine! :-) The shield was made by Nicholas Cochiolo (Shields by Nicholas on facebook) and the tabard by Astrid, of Atlantia.
so I really want to use a sallet bevor combo but I don't want a bar grill and I know with a sallet looking up can show the face and cause safety issues. how can I fix this without making it so I can't turn my head .
Looking up shouldn't cause any safety problems. There are lots of sallet/bevor helms without bar grills out there. My own cut and thrust sallet uses perf plate
While there are a lot of differences in method and approach to swordsmanship, and study of historical techniques, ultimately both are combat sports that involve hitting people with swords, and thus quite fun!
Hello Sir Deitrich. I am thinking strongly about going to one of the weekly practices of combat/rapier/archery in my area to meet the people and get a taste of SCA. I am not a member, have no personae, its just me. For as long as I can remember, I have had a deep desire to learn the art of swordplay, but swordmasters are hard to come by. ;) Especially for girls back in the 70s!! I'm enjoying your videos and wishing I was there. I have a bit of experience but consider myself a beginner. My question; is there a teacher of the sword located in my area that you could recommend to me? I live in South Central WI. Thank you so much ahead of time.
Kiera Kilena Greetings Kiera! That sounds like a great plan. You don't need to bring anything but yourself, at first :-) Near Madison WI puts you in the Barony of Jararvellir: here is their website. www.jararvellir.org/newcomers/ I encourage you to reach out to their Chatelaine (welcome person), who will help you get connected with the local practices! Best of luck to you!
DietrichvonStroheim Thank you for your reply! Yes, I've been reading over their website but I really didn't know who to contact. Seems that when I initially tried to go to their "newcomer" page, I ended up at their history in error--hit the drop down menu instead of where I needed to go! In a word; oops. So, thank you for the link!! Is it a common thing to find someone willing to teach sword techniques or does it differ from one area to the next? Thanks again, I will do what you suggested.
Kiera Kilena You are most welcome! While I don't know anyone personally in that group, I am sure if you reach out to the Chatelaine you will be brought into the fold and make friends quickly. Making friends as a new fighter is the easiest thing in the world...fighters love fighters! :-) Most fighter practices will have experienced swordsmen who can teach you at least the basics. For more advanced training, you will travel to bigger practices, establish relationships with mentors, etc. Everyone tends to be glad to teach, or try to teach, what they know!
DietrichvonStroheim Sounds very encouraging, thank you. :) I took the plunge and wrote to the local Chatelaine this afternoon. This is a big deal for me in a lot of (complex) ways, so your willingness to respond is highly appreciated. Take care Sir Dietrich. Love the German name, btw. I have German roots on my Dad's side.
Kiera Kilena Excellent! Good for you, hopefully you will hear back soon. If you don't hear back, let me know and I will shake the trees a bit to make sure someone gets in touch with you and helps you get involved. My own roots are German as well, though I don't speak much of the language. Just enough to frighten the French if I speak it loud and commandingly! ;-)
A lot of people make their own, and almost every local group has someone who makes armor or can help you make armor if you are willing to put some sweat equity in. Realistically you can probably buy a $300 helm and make or get help making the rest. That said, if you want to buy, a decent, mid-grade armor kit will probably run you about $1500. If you are ultra pick like me and only want custom work, forged of titanium or high grade spring steel, it'll be more like $5000.
I think this guy has some good stuff. Id enjoy a good spar tho, because i dont fight like that, this all seems very 1 dimensional but i guess it is a beginners video.
curious why He is not teachign the basic fours of sword play before teachign the flat snap ...just somethign i noticed ...am a Trans female who when i was still my old male self was an SCA heavy fighter for Loc salon of Artimisia ...