Sword Club Basic

Kawartha/Durham Sword Club Basics

Definitions: Weapon Side: This is the side that the weapon is on. Example if you are holding 

         the weapon in your right hand, your right side is your weapon side. This changes 

         when you switch hands. If using a two handed weapon the hand on top, closest to 

         the hilt, is considered the weapon side.

                     Guard side: Is the opposite side of the weapon side.

Stances:

Formal: Stand tall with shoulders in a relaxed posture. Head held in line with the    

              chest and hips. Look forward. Have your heels together and toes apart.

  Hold your weapon up at waist height towards the front. The other hand rests  

  on the side of the leg on the same side.

On Guard: Stand balanced on both feet at a comfortable width, with the weapon side forward. 

                  Weapon is held at mid section, approximately two fists width away from the ribs.  

                  The guard hand is held open at the chest.

Salute:

While in the formal stance bring the weapon hand to the centre of chest. You then bring your weapon hand away from your chest towards your training partner, blade remaining vertical. Symbolically taking respect from your heart and presenting to your fellow student. 

Body Movement:

We imitate the pine tree twisting in a strong wind, deflecting force away. Imagine the arms and weapon as the branches. Making initial contact with the opposing force, deflecting it away, then coming back like a spring. The trunk of the tree coming down the center of your body, starting at the top of the head, down the spin through to the ground. Keep the torso straight, strong and flexible. The legs and feet being like roots in the ground. Anchoring you, but having the flexibility to assist in keeping the center stable.

Footwork: 

Regardless of which foot is forward, you must be able to step out with either leg to accommodate movement anywhere within the 360 degree radius around your center. While in movement keep the torso straight and strong and moving along in a linear plain. In other words, don't allow the head to bob up and down. To allow for this keep the legs and feet relaxed, with soft knees and use fluidic motion.

Parries:

 

Used to deflect blows coming from the sides at varying levels and from straight in front   

These parries are classified into high, middle or low. High parries deflect cuts and thrusts aimed between the head and shoulders. Middle parries deflect cuts and thrusts coming to the midsection, between the shoulders and the hips. Low parries deflect cuts and thrusts to the legs and feet. Parries are brought out before moving away. If a miscalculation should happen, as often does, your weapon should be at the ready to protect your body from your opponent's cut.

Cuts: 

There are 10 basic cuts. 1. From right shoulder to left hip. 2. From left shoulder to right hip. 3. From right hip to left shoulder. 4. From left hip to right shoulder. 5. Right side of head. 6. Left side of head. 7. Right side of midsection. 8. Left side of midsection. 9. Right side legs. 10. Left side legs.

Thrusts:

Made by pushing the tip of your weapon forward. They can be made to the head, torso or legs. Thrusting to the torso presents an easier target as the head and legs are highly mobile and evade easier. An argument can be made for thrusting your weapon towards an opponent's legs to induce tripping, however, this could only occur successfully in particular circumstances.

Forms:

Four directions: This practices moving 90 degrees and 180 degrees. While you move you block 

                          then counter. You can apply any parry and cut to these movements.  With the  

                          sword in the right hand the form starts with the left leg moving towards the left   

                          at 9 o'clock, performing a parry and counter as if your opponent was at a 45 

                          degree angle to the front right quarter. With the right leg move 180 degrees 

                          towards 3 o'clock parrying and cutting to your front left quarter. Step out with 

                          the leg left 90 degrees towards 12 o'clock, parry and counter to the front right 

                          quarter. The last movement is moving 180 degrees right towards 6 o'clock, 

                          performing a parry and cut to your front left quarter. Return to facing 12 o'clock 

                          and back to your fight stance. When performing with the left side as the weapon 

                          side,  start the sequence with the right foot, moving to 3 o'clock, with left leg 

                          180 degrees towards 9 o'clock, with the right leg move towards 12 o'clock then 

                          with the left leg, move towards 6 o'clock. 

Eight directions: This form practices moving in a circle at 45 degree increments to the left then 

                           right with the right weapon side forward. The sequence is repeated with the left 

                           weapon side forward. As in the four directional form you can apply these 

                           movements to any parry and cut. It is important to reset into an on guard 

                           stance before moving on to the next set of movements, as if each 45 degree 

                           increment represents a new opponent.

Expanding On The Forms: 

As you continue in your practice you can apply these forms to practice different parry and cut combinations.