This is really really helpful. I do wander even into wide measure without thinking I'm there yet, and get hit by what I thought was "a shot from nowhere" but only because I wasn't mentally prepared yet.
Do you recommend people use the same weapon when learning measure, to remove a variable, or do you recommend changing between ones with different blade lengths, so as not to get used to a particular piece?
I know that rapiers are supposed to have an ideal length accounting for the size of the fencer, so maybe this question is more relevant for sideswords. I'm asking because I found myself missing a cut by an inch when I cycle through my sideswords, and I wonder if I should stop doing that and stick to a piece.
It's a really good question. Ideally I'd want a student to get well acquainted with their measure as it applies to one sword. Then let them play with other lengths and figure out how to readjust. The transition is something you have to learn to adapt to.
When I first started using a sidesword - approx 38" blade - I had been fencing for years with a 42" rapier. At first I had to decide to choose one or the other for the day and not switch back and forth. Either I was hitting too hard with the rapier after starting with the sidesword, or I was always just a few inches away in my attacks with the sidesword after starting with the rapier.
But now when I switch to a new sword, I can just take 5 minutes to recalibrate my lunges and attacks and I'm good to go. But it took a little while to gain that confidence/experience.
This is really really helpful. I do wander even into wide measure without thinking I'm there yet, and get hit by what I thought was "a shot from nowhere" but only because I wasn't mentally prepared yet.
Do you recommend people use the same weapon when learning measure, to remove a variable, or do you recommend changing between ones with different blade lengths, so as not to get used to a particular piece?
I know that rapiers are supposed to have an ideal length accounting for the size of the fencer, so maybe this question is more relevant for sideswords. I'm asking because I found myself missing a cut by an inch when I cycle through my sideswords, and I wonder if I should stop doing that and stick to a piece.
It's a really good question. Ideally I'd want a student to get well acquainted with their measure as it applies to one sword. Then let them play with other lengths and figure out how to readjust. The transition is something you have to learn to adapt to.
When I first started using a sidesword - approx 38" blade - I had been fencing for years with a 42" rapier. At first I had to decide to choose one or the other for the day and not switch back and forth. Either I was hitting too hard with the rapier after starting with the sidesword, or I was always just a few inches away in my attacks with the sidesword after starting with the rapier.
But now when I switch to a new sword, I can just take 5 minutes to recalibrate my lunges and attacks and I'm good to go. But it took a little while to gain that confidence/experience.
"I can just take 5 minutes to recalibrate..."
Good to know that it will get better. But yeah, for now, I'll stick to one blade's length.