Hi guys,

A while ago I posted here a clip, I got several nice constructive comments. Yesterday I made a new one, a very short clip. I am not very happy with the result, (e.g. missing some basic cuts, bad blade alignment and no side stepping) but I posted it anyway. Any comments are welcome. Keep in mind that I am a total beginner and that I only have Tobler's book "Fighting with the German Longsword" and the DVD from "Ochs". Thank you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n3OffS_O-U

Hi Van,

It's hard to do this from watching a video, but the biggie here is that you cock the sword back before striking. Practice striking with from Vom Tag with the sword resting on your shoulder rather than held near it so that you have less of a temptation to cock the sword before striking.

The first thing that should happen in a cut is that the tip of the sword should move towards your opponent. Your body shouldn't so much as twitch before that happens.

Also, from what I can see, you need to work on stopping your cuts in a specific guard and relaxing...you seem too tense, though that could just be a misperception.

Your footwork needs work, as you know, and the best way to do that is to isolate it and work on that slope step...that is the most difficult footwork element in the system.

If I were you I'd work on the first guard transition drill (pflug to ochs) from Fighting extensively until the slope step is second nature.

If I can just add to what Michael said before me, footwork aside, the timing is off. I notice your feet moving before the cut, rather than having the hands move first. This is something that is completely natural, and many beginners do this, but the sooner you kill the habit, the better. It gets difficult to stamp out after time. Other than that, keep up the good work.

Thanks for both comments, the cocking of the sword... I even didn't realise this, good for pointing it out. I am aware of the "sword moves first" concept, I will work on that too, but its hard though :P. I will try to post another clip in the near future. Stay tuned :)

Well thats a coincidence, was just surfing on youtube 5 min. ago and encountered this movie.

I have to second Michael's advice: one cut at a time. In the beginning, you are creating a foundation that will become (ideally) an instinctive way of moving. By working on one cut over and over, you have fewer things to worry about and you'll be able to focus on making each cut the same way. Do this until you're sick of it, then do it some more (there is a reason why such repetitive exercises are used so much in living arts--they work). However, I have to say that the fact that you are putting this much importance into solo drills (and posting them for instructive comments) is very positive. I see so many problems in the community that could be solved with exactly this type of drilling. Keep it up!

Steve

The guy with the shield needs to keep it in front of him. It does no good behind him when he attacks.

Otherwise, it looks good.