Practice: May 05, 2011

Pratice consisted of:
Warm-up
Slow work
First blood
Drill work
Bear pit.

It was ok.  I had a good time, thought some things through.  I had an idea about it in my head watching one of the fights.  It has been rattling around in there for a bit and now it comes out as the following.

Range.
I have an excellent range advantage against some people.  Some people haven't figured that out.  Some have.  Which isn't what this is about exactly.  More I need to recognize when I am getting closed on.  My long range abilities combined with how I fight, means I am not as effective toe to toe.  It is not my forte.

I never shy away from it though.  I will wade in, and do ok.  I will get locked up and feel in control, feel like I can counterpunch if they throw.  Feel like my speed will save me.  The fallacy of this was shown to me again at the tournament in Bitter end.  I was fighting my knight.  We got ties up.  We stood toe to toe, shields on shield, swords up high in guard.  Looking straight into each other's eyes, waiting for the move.

Albrecht moved first.  I reacted, after he wrapped me in the head and the ass.  Two shots he got off before I moved.  He solidly defeated me.  I had no chance to counter punch.

No. I am most effective at mid and long range.  At long range I can throw and be fairly safe if they don't move, simply because I will outrange them.  My sword is usually 3 inches into their head at my maximum range, when they are JUST touching my face at their maximum range.  This is not my issue.  I have a decent flat snap I use to decent effect at this range.

Medium range is my issue.  I have the most power here I think.  The most room to maneuver.  The ability to have them at their long range while I can throw medium.  I have trouble KEEPING this range.  Especially if I am throwing a series of blows.  I often advance faster than they retreat and end up toe to toe.

I need to work on keeping that range and utilizing it more to my advantage.  I still think about lateral movement when I use it when throwing combinations.  I would like to just throw and not worry about if I stepped.