open sword tourny

[Tim Chan]

something from hk i found. seems pretty unserious and fun. and the winner was a taichi sword user who has a nice spinning tech. don't think i recall him parrying moves the way i was taught, just seemed to fake and strike with it. but i've never actually sparred with swords

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[philong]

Looked like fun. I don't want to sound condescending but those guys sucked. A fencer with minimal training would have torn them apart. I don't consider myself that good and I would have anihilated them in a matter of seconds. A simple 6 guard or 4 to 6 would have taken care of 99% of their attacks and left them open for the counter. The wild hacking and slashing was pretty useless. Most didn't want to commit to an attack, it's just like real sparring and you have to commit to & carry out an attack. I seriously hope that they don't believe they are actually capable of defending themselves with a sword. A couple of weeks of training in fencing would help them dramatically. But, as you said, it appeared to be all in fun and not too serious. My only concern is that people sometimes convince themselves that they are capable after doing something like that (remember all the people who thought they were MArtists after taking a couple of Billy Blanks Tae Bo classes?).
I have tried many times to get local MA swordsmen to fence with me and all have declined once they found out that I fenced. It would be interesting to fence someone who was actually skilled in another style. I am going to get the opportunity to fight the other students in my new school with stcks though, although after watching them train I don't think any of them will be much of a challenge.

 

[Tim Chan]

your only training is fencing? the rolling sword technique is actually made to deflect one of those stabs. basically parries while controlling your sword and moving into a downward strike

maybe with a little bit of slipping it would probably be one of the best counters to fencing techniques, which is limited to stabbing. but we have to experiment somehow. I know how you feel having trouble finding ppl to spar with even though i do more empty hand stuff.

 

[philong]

your only training is fencing? the rolling sword technique is actually made to deflect one of those stabs. basically parries while controlling your sword and moving into a downward strike

maybe with a little bit of slipping it would probably be one of the best counters to fencing techniques, which is limited to stabbing. but we have to experiment somehow. I know how you feel having trouble finding ppl to spar with even though i do more empty hand stuff.

No, my only training is not in fencing. I have a few black belts in Kung Fu & TKD as well. Fencing is NOT limited to stabbing, you are thinking of the Foil & Epee. The Sabre is stabbing & slashing. The Sabre blade is considered to have a point, a sharpened edge & 8" of the back of the tip sharpened as well so you can score with a reverse slash as well. I prefer the Sabre personally since I consider it more realistic as an actual weapon. My fencing instructor was constantly telling the other students to not do what I was doing because I don't follow the classic fencing style, you can see my Asian MA influence in my swordplay. It works for me though, probably something to do with having 20 years or so of training. Unfortunately, when I fence someone who is actually really good they tear me up since they use classic fencing technique that is designed to win under the fencing rules.

 

[Tim Chan]

i remember fencing in pe class which is my only exp. i ended up wacking the guy a few times just to find out it's illegal.