Weekend Plans

[Melanas]

We don't actually use brooms at our uni, but it's still fun. Great chance to see a bunch of non-athletic nerds running about a field in primary colours!

 

And yes, medieval dagger fighting sounds interesting!

[Wren of the Brown]

We primarily studied a few of the German fencing school employed by Hans Talhoffer. You can read more about these techniques here. We practiced with padded daggers (because we're all friends and don't want to literally stab anyone) but a rondel was the prevalent dagger used at the time. Most of the techniques are still used today because knife fighting is still knife fighting.

 

At the time, they were much bigger on layering then we are today, and their daily outfits consisted of three layers: the undershirt, the shirt, and the cotte or jacket. At least two layers were linen and the cotte was often made out of wool or silk so the threat of a slashing cut wasn't as great as it is today to people who bare so much skin. Rondels were primarily meant for stabbing, jabbing, thrusting and poking. The rondel is also constructed in such a way to make it easier to hammer the point of the blade into an armored opponent, or, if you're looking to be punctual, through the eye slits of a helm. Some modern chisels still employ this flared handle design because it works.

 

Because these techniques were developed congruently with the Enlightenment, the fight books (fechtbuch) are big on "superior geometry." For instance, think of yourself as a three legged bar stool. Now, we don't all have three legs (I've seen a few pornos) so you have to conceptualize a third leg either to the front or rear of your body. You cannot be easily unbalanced from the side so all techniques have revolve around unbalancing to the rear or front. This is done by tripping the opponent (wrapping your leg behind his and pushing him backward, his knee will automatically unlock) and much of the fightbook material incorporates grappling.

 

Most of the technique we covered revolved around controlling an attacker's dagger and we addressed two basic attacks: the overhand/icepick/Psycho grip (vom Tag/"from the roof") and the underhand/shoveling grip (pflug/"plough.") Whenever controlling an opponent's attack, stop the blow at their wrist with the ball of your hand so that the thumb is pointed downward. The obverse with the thumb pointed upward is a weak grasp and your thumb will break, and you'll miss the opportunity to counter the attack because there's suddenly dagger sticking out of your face which was not previously there before. There are also three points in the grasp of a knife: the locked wrist and the knuckles are two strong points and the point where the clenched fingers connect with the palm is the weak point. Once the knife hand has been controlled, you can very easily push the knife out of their hand by pushing it backwards through their fingers. This is also a way to break a hold on your wrist: pull your arm down towards that connection between their fingertips and their palm. Or you could stomp on their toes. You have four limbs, use them!

 

Breaking the opponent's grasp upon the knife is done either by twisting the arm downward, causing the tendon to tighten along the forearm as well as bending the joint in the socket painfully. Most people will drop the knife but for the clever few who twist the knife and their arm to counter your counter, you need to be wary and also control the clutching hand. You've already bent their elbow and wrist awkwardly, now push the knifehand back into their center of gravity and into them, or take the knife.

 

Another lock we learned is in the overhand position. Because the rondel has three surfaces (a front cutting edge, the spine, and the rear cutting edge which extends a quarter length from the point) you can press your other palm against the flat of your blade and control their wrist with that lock. Alternatively, you can rotate the dagger over the top of their wrist, grasp the blade (yes, you will get cut but it's better than being stabbed) and pull the blade into their wrist.

 

One of the grappling moves we learned was a non-lethal fight ender: after you have countered and controlled the blade, move stupidly quickly to pull their knife arm in front while rotating your body so your back touches their chest and pull the arm downward opposite the elbow joints naturally position. The fight will end because you've shattered their elbow joint. Alternatively, if you cannot spin your body and break their arm over your shoulder, you can press up from the bottom of their elbow with your other hand and shatter the joint with a solid thrust through.

 

That's about all I can really relay through the Interwebz. I enjoyed myself even if I was thrown to the ground a few times.

 

Oh! And all of this was going on while most of us are in full medieval garb. >_>

[Ryrin]

Hiarthbeorn,

 

That is so great! Thanks for taking the time to explain.

[Wren of the Brown]

You're welcome! I ended my weekend with a migraine. Bah humbug.

[Ryrin]

You're welcome! I ended my weekend with a migraine. Bah humbug.

 

I had one on Saturday.

[Wren of the Brown]

I'm on my way home from fighter's practice. I'll probably do some drills this afternoon and catch up on some reading for class tonight. Tomorrow, I don't know yet. I've been sick all week so I want to take it easy but it's a beautiful late winter day and I'd hate to waste it indoors.

[Naked~Frog]

Have friends sleep over, then have one continue to sleep over. And force them to rejoin DM, bwahahahahaaa!

[Ryrin]

I love reading everyone's weekend plans. I went with the fam and doggies to the Santa Fe Trail and we walked for 2.6 miles! It was beautiful out. We rented a movie (J. Edgar Hoover) and I took a nap before we watched it. Nice dinner at home.

[Ryrin]

I'm on my way home from fighter's practice. I'll probably do some drills this afternoon and catch up on some reading for class tonight. Tomorrow, I don't know yet. I've been sick all week so I want to take it easy but it's a beautiful late winter day and I'd hate to waste it indoors.

 

Feel better soon. I didn't feel well last week either but I spent today outdoors.

[U4ea]

Ya know, I felt horrible yesterday, too.

 

Tadpole woke up at 6 this morning and Peanut right behind her. It was my husband's morning, so I helped get her settled, then went back to bed. Peanut tried to get some sleep, too, but was too wiggly. Tadpole had no intention of sleeping and was cooing at the top of her lungs.

 

So yeah, I gave up and took the baby to let my sleepy husband go to sleep. He slept for most of the morning.

 

Tomorrow is visiting groceries and grandma's . Hopefully some sleep, too...

[Ryrin]

Ya know, I felt horrible yesterday, too.

 

Tadpole woke up at 6 this morning and Peanut right behind her. It was my husband's morning, so I helped get her settled, then went back to bed. Peanut tried to get some sleep, too, but was too wiggly. Tadpole had no intention of sleeping and was cooing at the top of her lungs.

 

So yeah, I gave up and took the baby to let my sleepy husband go to sleep. He slept for most of the morning.

 

Tomorrow is visiting groceries and grandma's . Hopefully some sleep, too...

 

Taught religious school in the AM.

 

Chores today. I took the car to the car wash and vacuumed it out. Did the dishes, mopped the floor and did several loads of laundry. I kinda liked just nesting at home. My son rode bikes with his friends. I have a hard time getting used to the time change.

[Naked~Frog]

I have a friend sleeping over for the third night in a row :D

[Ryrin]

I have a friend sleeping over for the third night in a row :D

 

 

Should I ask more? NO. ;-)

[Wren of the Brown]

I have a friend sleeping over for the third night in a row :D

 

You just gave me my next entry "What You Should Never Say." :3

[Ryrin]

I have a friend sleeping over for the third night in a row :D

 

You just gave me my next entry "What You Should Never Say." :3

 

 

lol..lol..lol...

[Naked~Frog]

Hahah, that is something to not say on a first date isn't it? Haha

 

But nah, it isn't like that sillies. Just hanging out :)

[Wren of the Brown]

Today, I did some pell practice drills in the back yard. These are motions I try to learn slowly before using them at regular practice. I'm trying to develop a wider vocabulary of technique and I'm still learning shot placement but today and through out the week, I tried tightening up my defensive stance behind my shield. We'll see what I actually learned at next week's practice.

 

After that, I filed my state taxes and called a friend to check up on her. Tonight, I might watch some Star Wars fan films or get off the computer and read.

[Ryrin]

Lol, gonna try and get some Lab work done tomorrow. I think blood should stay inside but my doctors keep wanting it out.

[U4ea]

I call them vampires. Especially when you're pregnant. LOL They lost my lab work this last time and had to draw 8 vials twice!

 

I am avoiding the biggest party in the world today (seriously, I'll add links with details) and watch Savannah's St. Patty's Day parade from a friend's house. Thank heaven they televise it!

[Ryrin]

Ok, it's raining like heck here. Lab work is going to have to wait.

[U4ea]

So, my friend called me around 920 this morning and said that I couldn't bring the girls, so my plans got squashed. We decided to go shopping and play in the yard planting, instead.

 

My husband is racing RCcars today, so we are on our own all day. If Tadpole was older, we would go to the movies. :c I hate it when people screw up my plans.

[Ryrin]

Went grocery shopping.. needed fresh fruit and veggies. Went to the Clay Cafe and bought needed supplies to make Seder plates tomorrow during religious school. Then I will take them back to be fired. Son went to Fire Explorer training and husband is with a friend at the Irish Fest drinking beer. I'm going to read.

[Naked~Frog]

I might rake today..

[Ryrin]

I might rake today..

 

Lol, we lead exciting lives!

 

Hey, LOR, why couldn't you bring the girls?

[Naked~Frog]

I might rake today..

 

Lol, we lead exciting lives!

 

 

Yeah, we really do don't we? I think I had a wedgy this morning...