Post by Kanashimi on Jul 6, 2016 12:56:29 GMT -6
Basic Florentine
Instructor: Don Diego Velazquez
I. Introduction: everyone will introduce themselves, their kingdom, fighting
experience, and expectations of the class
II. Stance: definition
A. Drill: partner up and fight, instructor observes
B. Discussion of stances used: call 2 or 3 people with different stances, discuss
strengths/weaknesses
C. Basic strong traits of stance:
1. Body profiled, not square
2. Body/back straight, not hunched or leaning forward
3. Dominant hand forward
4. Knees bent, stand on ball of foot
D. Take Q and A
E. Drill: partner up and fight again, instructor observes, comments, spars a bit
III. Footwork: definition
A. Drill: Play Kill your Killer (about 10 man teams if possible)
B. Point out best “movers”: discuss why they were successful
C. Basic traits of good footwork:
1. Try not to break “profile” unless chasing someone
2. Shuffle feet instead of taking steps
3. Lateral movement and turning round should be observed
4. Speed as a natural advantage
D. Non-combat forms of improving footwork
1. Jumping rope, running, dance, Thor’s footwork class
IV. Controlling range
A. Know your effective striking range, also preference: long vs. short range
B. Estimate your opponent’s range
1. Can use safe shots to estimate this: a shot that will not endanger you
C. Keep out of opponent’s range by moving back or circling
D. Close to your effective range quickly, can be done unexpectedly by shifting from
backward to forward movement
E. Controlling range is especially important with multiple targets
F. Play 2 on 1’s or 3 on 1’s. Instructor observes. Comments.
G. Take Q and A
V. Shots: talk about single sword as basis for Florentine. Very important to develop off
hand dominance
A. Flat: A shot that comes down or across, usually parallel or perpendicular to the
ground
1. Flat cross: bringing down the sword with bent elbow to hit the cross shoulder
a. Define cross and same side
b. Very effective as an opening, can be used at range
2. Slot: shot that comes straight down either on shoulder or chest.
a. Also a good opening, can be used at range
B. Wrap: any shot that wraps the weapon around towards a target by bending elbow
or wrist
1. Shoulder wrap: cross and same side
2. Flat wrap: moves parallel to ground
a. Targets arm, body, or hip
3. Drill: plant legs, face 1 opponent at mid range. Aggressor throws shots with
dominant hand for set time, defender blocks and counters. Switch arms.
C. Hack/Chop: shorter range flat shot, usually a riposte
1. Usually targets arm, but can be used as killing blow
2. Important shot for Florentine fighters
D. Stab: most effective shot against Florentine
1. Hook stab: used primarily for shoulder, side hip
E. Drill: assume combat stance: for 30-60 seconds, aggressor only will attack with
any shot using only dominant hand, opponent blocks. Then, use weak hand as
dominant. Aggressor and opponent switch roles.
F. Non-combat ways to practice
1. Use a pell to practice shots
2. Tennis ball on a string suspended from ceiling: swing it, try to stab
VI. Attacking Theory: basic approach
A. Openings
1. Openings should either be quick kills, safe shots, feints, or shots that lead to
other shots
2. Classic openings with Florentine:
a. Right hand faking shield shoulder to open left hand on sword hip (opposite
side hi/lo)
b. Left hand faking sword hip to open right hand on shield shoulder
c. Left hand strikes opponent’s right hand to immobilize, step to right to use
right on shield hip/back
d. Left hand outside wrap to opponent’s right arm to open for right hand
chop to right arm
B. Be aggressive when attacking
C. Keep battlefield awareness
VII. Conclusion
A. Open fighting
Link to Source
Instructor: Don Diego Velazquez
I. Introduction: everyone will introduce themselves, their kingdom, fighting
experience, and expectations of the class
II. Stance: definition
A. Drill: partner up and fight, instructor observes
B. Discussion of stances used: call 2 or 3 people with different stances, discuss
strengths/weaknesses
C. Basic strong traits of stance:
1. Body profiled, not square
2. Body/back straight, not hunched or leaning forward
3. Dominant hand forward
4. Knees bent, stand on ball of foot
D. Take Q and A
E. Drill: partner up and fight again, instructor observes, comments, spars a bit
III. Footwork: definition
A. Drill: Play Kill your Killer (about 10 man teams if possible)
B. Point out best “movers”: discuss why they were successful
C. Basic traits of good footwork:
1. Try not to break “profile” unless chasing someone
2. Shuffle feet instead of taking steps
3. Lateral movement and turning round should be observed
4. Speed as a natural advantage
D. Non-combat forms of improving footwork
1. Jumping rope, running, dance, Thor’s footwork class
IV. Controlling range
A. Know your effective striking range, also preference: long vs. short range
B. Estimate your opponent’s range
1. Can use safe shots to estimate this: a shot that will not endanger you
C. Keep out of opponent’s range by moving back or circling
D. Close to your effective range quickly, can be done unexpectedly by shifting from
backward to forward movement
E. Controlling range is especially important with multiple targets
F. Play 2 on 1’s or 3 on 1’s. Instructor observes. Comments.
G. Take Q and A
V. Shots: talk about single sword as basis for Florentine. Very important to develop off
hand dominance
A. Flat: A shot that comes down or across, usually parallel or perpendicular to the
ground
1. Flat cross: bringing down the sword with bent elbow to hit the cross shoulder
a. Define cross and same side
b. Very effective as an opening, can be used at range
2. Slot: shot that comes straight down either on shoulder or chest.
a. Also a good opening, can be used at range
B. Wrap: any shot that wraps the weapon around towards a target by bending elbow
or wrist
1. Shoulder wrap: cross and same side
2. Flat wrap: moves parallel to ground
a. Targets arm, body, or hip
3. Drill: plant legs, face 1 opponent at mid range. Aggressor throws shots with
dominant hand for set time, defender blocks and counters. Switch arms.
C. Hack/Chop: shorter range flat shot, usually a riposte
1. Usually targets arm, but can be used as killing blow
2. Important shot for Florentine fighters
D. Stab: most effective shot against Florentine
1. Hook stab: used primarily for shoulder, side hip
E. Drill: assume combat stance: for 30-60 seconds, aggressor only will attack with
any shot using only dominant hand, opponent blocks. Then, use weak hand as
dominant. Aggressor and opponent switch roles.
F. Non-combat ways to practice
1. Use a pell to practice shots
2. Tennis ball on a string suspended from ceiling: swing it, try to stab
VI. Attacking Theory: basic approach
A. Openings
1. Openings should either be quick kills, safe shots, feints, or shots that lead to
other shots
2. Classic openings with Florentine:
a. Right hand faking shield shoulder to open left hand on sword hip (opposite
side hi/lo)
b. Left hand faking sword hip to open right hand on shield shoulder
c. Left hand strikes opponent’s right hand to immobilize, step to right to use
right on shield hip/back
d. Left hand outside wrap to opponent’s right arm to open for right hand
chop to right arm
B. Be aggressive when attacking
C. Keep battlefield awareness
VII. Conclusion
A. Open fighting
Link to Source