I’ve been trying to find a framework into which I can fit the various techniques Joachim Meyer discusses in his chapter on rapier combat in his The Art of Combat. The chapter is filled with individual techniques and plays and it’s only at the very end of the chapter that he talks about rapier fencing in general.
On Defense:
“From whichever side he sends in his cut, catch and parry his cut, and cut or thrust in at him to the same side from which he has sent his cut, before he has entirely finished it, or at least before he has recovered from it again.” (2.98v)
On Attack:
“If you will cut against him the the Before, then you must use the first cut more to provoke and goad him than to hit, so that when he cuts at the opening that you have offered with his cutting, you are positioned to strike and take it out; at once after you have weakened him and made him open, you will thirdly rush to the opening actually completing the attack this time.” (2.98v-2.99r)
Meyer lists four different types of opponent with a different way of method of approaching each.
Against the opponent who always presses forward with violent attacks (“somewhat stupid”):
Counter-thrust into Long Point against all cuts keeping the long edge of your weapon turned against his attack. Do not move far out of Long Point. Retreat until he over-commits then counter-cut/-thrust before he can recover.
Against the opponent who only attacks when an opportunity arises (“artful and sharp”):
Change through the four guards before him, always keeping the point online, until he sees his advantage and attacks. As soon as he does, “fall on it with setting off and suppressing and rush at once to the opening he has presented.” (2.99v)
Against the opponent who only attacks when he sees he can attack and withdraw safely (“judicious and deceitful”):
Stand in Side Guard or the Low Left Guard (? the Change). Feint up into High Guard but turn it quickly into a Wrath Cut to provoke him. If he does nothing, thrust in at him. If he counters or attacks, “set him off and work forth to the opening.” (2.100r)
Against the opponent who does nothing waiting for you to act first (“they must either be fools or especially sharp”):
No specific advice is given here other than to use the guard breaking techniques outlined in the chapter on rapier plays and devices – which basically means pick a technique and go for it.
Hello Chris,
Trying to track down an email address for you has proven a difficult task, hopefully you’ll get this message.
My name is Alan McFarlane, I recently attended the 2010 swordplay event and you generously allowed me to use your armor.
I thought you and your associates might be interested in the following Knife seminar that is going to be held in Brisbane.
Krishna is not based in Australia and the last time he was out here was in 2005, so this is a unique opportunity to experience one of the worlds elite Phillipino Martial Art systems.
If you could please also pass the information onto any other Western Martial arts groups that you think might be interested.
Cheers,
Al
alan.mcfarlane.beae@hotmail.com
Please advise if interested asap as we are trying to establish numbers for the weekend.
SAYOC KALI SEMINAR
WHEN: Friday 14 Jan 2011 (6pm – 9pm) & Saturday 15 Jan 2011 (11am – 2pm; 3pm – 6pm)
WHERE: University of Queensland (St Lucia Campus) Martial Arts Gym, Building 25
COST: $50 for 1 session; $95 for 2 sessions; $140 for all 3 sessions
CONTACTS: Ming – 0434 28 18 18; Lynchy – 0400 701 212; Al – 0466 442 913; Elwyn – 0413 046 671
Krishna Godhania: is a student of Grandmaster Abner Pasa, the Chief Instructor of Warriors Eskrima in Cebu City and founder of the Institute of Filipino Martial Arts. The Institute analyzes and documents the lesser-known Escrima/Arnis systems of various masters and grandmasters, preserving them to be taught to future generations.
Krishna, whilst based in the UK, teaches seminars throughout Europe & Russia. While mainly focused on Filipino Martial Arts involving stick, knife, sword & dagger & “empty hand” – Filipino panantukan (boxing) and dumog (wrestling), he also has a strong background in MMA and the interface between weapon & and grappling arts. Krishna was one of the first BJJ purple belts in the UK under Mauricio Gomes (Helio Gracie’s son-in-law) & later Roger Gracie at Gracie Barra London. He also trains at Gracie Barra Birmingham with Braulio Estima (2009 ADCC 88kg & Absolute Champion); trained Vale Tudo with Marco Ruas; stickgrappling with Marc McFann (JKD); Marc Denny (of the Dog Brothers); & stickgrappling/stick/sayoc knife with Chris Sayoc & Tom Kier of Sayoc Kali. Krishna also trained extensively with Paul Vunak, who taught & assisted with the development of aspects of US Navy SEAL Close Quarter Battle training for many years, before Chris Sayoc & Tom Kier took over.
Krishna is the European Sayoc Kali Representative has been in great demand in recent years throughout Europe and Russia teaching the Sayoc Tactical Group aspects of Sayoc Kali to various law enforcement, military & special forces personnel.
Content: The seminars will focus on edged weapons from a functional perspective. As well as knife, traditional aspects of sword & dagger (from Spanish & Italian sword arts) & the kerambit (a traditional weapon of Indonesian) will be covered, along with modern combat & law enforcement applications. Sessions will build from the historical foundation provided by Filipino edged weapons. It will benefit people with a Kali/Eskrima/Arnis or classical western sword arts background, as well as people with a JKD/MMA/grappling who want to know how to adapt their system against weaponry. Relevant techniques & principles will then be extended into contemporary combat applications & the needs of law enforcement & security/crowd control personnel, as they are often in grappling range & emphasize control & restraint.
Empty hand v Blade
Drills incorporating a knife and focus pad, allowing the defender to tap & strike with progressive resistance added by the armed aggressor. Good progressions from Sayoc Kali that focus on how to effectively close range with knife tapping, establish & maintain positive control whilst striking will be covered along with techniques to stop the armed aggressor from switching hands (receiver grips), & effective set ups for percussive striking disarms etc.
Knife grappling
Including both standing & ground grappling, the seminar will cover how to “search” for holstered blades when in the clinch & on the ground, which develops the skill sets required to stop the aggressor from drawing & deploying the blade. Learn which techniques from grappling become obsolete against the knife and which ones remain relevant.
Sayoc Panantukan
Learn interesting progressions between the movements of the blade & corresponding empty hand translations, along with an introduction to stickgrappling from various systems.
Warriors Eskrima: Emphasizes the development of good basics – focusing on two areas – effective striking and defense. The sword & dagger (espada y daga) techniques are based on swordplay. Therefore the techniques are designed for a longer range, with an emphasis on zoning, accurate parrying or deflecting with the sword and using the dagger for controlling. With edged weapons, the margin for error becomes minimal & precision of movement becomes vital.
SAYOC Kali: Krishna is also an Associate Instructor and European Representative of Sayoc Kali. Sayoc Kali has been referred to as an advanced, further evolution of traditional Filipino Martial Arts & emphasizes the use of the blade (“All blade, all the time”).
Sayoc Kali is taught as part of the more general Sayoc Fighting System, which includes sword, stick, kerambit, tomahawk & whip. It includes techniques for single knife, multiple knives, projectiles, & secondary support to firearms.
The Sayoc Tactical Group (STG) is Sayoc Kali’s military & law enforcement division. STG is dedicated to teaching modern, effective tactical training. The emphasis is on being proactive rather than reactive with practitioners taught how to resolve possible situations before they begin or escalate. STG’s professionals retain particular aptitude in edged weapons tactics, training individuals ranging from the US Navy SEALS to Federal Air Marshal’s.
Thanks, Al. Much appreciated.
Sounds like fun. Roll up, everyone.