Results and comments from the Aug/Sep 2003 survey.

	Ýves’ big SCA rapier survey #1 ~ Typical practices: Personal observations
	Updated: May 24, 2005

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Policy blurb

By default, authors of comments sent in response to this survey are named only by their permission. Usually, other people mentioned in a comment are named only with their permission as well. Each comment represents only what the author typed in for the survey at the time.

» This survey was conducted during August-September 2003. Things change over time. «

Some comments were edited for content. Certain harsh words have been changed for your amusement. Opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect those of the surveyor.

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# of Responses
by Kingdom
 
AEth.  = 34/235
Anst.  = 36/240
An Tir = 56/347
Art.   = 12/124
Aten.  = 27/460
Atl.   = 60/425
Caid   = 49/400
Drach. = 21/76
Eald.  = 12/77
East   = 46/480
Loch.  = 22/120
Mer.   = 27/140
Mid.   = 52/640
Nor.   = 25/164
Out.   = 26/214
Tri.   = 46/237
West   = 14/70
Unk.   = 2

The gist

The comments below were sent in response to Question 26.

Respondents share their input on their typical local fencing practices (past and present). The theme here is personal observations ("this is what it's like for me", rather than "this is what it's like for everyone there").

This is also where I put the comments that don't mention a specific activity in the practice.

The comments

Note: Any remarks in the comments below from Yves look like this.

More comments on this topic are on separate pages.
See the links at the bottom of this page.

Choice picks

Φ AEth. ~ Badger people about footwork drills, politic about something non-related, badger people about wall drills, fence, politic about something non-related, teach young-un something new, fence (if I'm lucky), politic about something fencing related (if I'm unlucky), fence (if I'm really really lucky).  ``Ivan

Φ AEth. ~ Most practices in the SCA focuses on sparring. The attitude is "let's have fun." This works to a degree, but my experience in development has demonstrated that drill work is pre-eminent over sparring. Sparring lets you see where your holes are. Drill work gives you the ability to close those holes.  ``Corwin

Φ Art. ~ Schmooze, kisses and hugs from all the ladies, BS a little, start gearing up, warm up fights, schmooze more, fight more, talk a little business, teach a little, waatch a little, fight a little more, schmooze and collect farewell hugs and kisses.  ``Sionainn

Φ West ~ Our last Lord Guildmaster teaches and coaches and gives us specific things to work on at practice and between practices.

Æthelmearc

Φ No such animal as a 'typical' practice.

Φ Most places, it's just sparing as soon as you get there.  ``Illadore

Φ Lately - mostly paperwork. Frequently about 70% teaching and 30% fencing.

Φ In my home practice (where I'm the deputy marshall,) we've tried very hard to get more drill work to start the practice.  ``Illadore

Φ Group marshal so much of my time was spent in teaching. Occasional practices had no instruction so at those times I fenced as many people as I could just for practice.

Φ Usually fight 5 to 10 minutes then take 30 to45 mninute break then fight 1 more time for 10 minutes. That is what other people practice like in general not my locals at all . they are die hards.  ``Lodovick

Φ Not a lot of drilling. Most of the drilling & classes came because I insisted on them (although I was not the MIC). I mostly teach since there are far more beginning/mid level fencers than people at my level.

Φ Show up, wait for marshal to show up. gear up, wait for inspection. wait for other people. fence. remeber to warm up. find another fencer. fence. rest. fence someone else. get caught in discussion about fencing. clean up site.

Φ When I run it, a few minutes of streching, a few drills, answer any questions, explain what I'm looking for in the practice (depends on what stdents are looking for) then have at it. I watch the bouts and talk after to individual fencers.

Φ The only practices i have attended are ones that i held to teach or was invited to teach at. i attend when time permits. i always try to convince people at practices that slow work and drills are more important than sparring. that's why we call it practice!!!  ``Parion

Φ [This refers to two regular practices.] 1st, Small gathering of no more than five fencers. Two main teachers, alot of one on one work, and alot of sparring between students. 2nd, Medium gatehring of usually more than 10 fencers. Many teachers, drill work included, alot of melee and group activities.

An Tir

Φ VERY unorganized.

Φ Teaching for about 50% of the practice, and working on my skills the other 50%.  ``Dormouse

Φ Lot of guys out sparring without goals. Very few people willing to do partner drills.  ``Gabrielle

Φ Personally - I warm up, do my drills, work on some specific thing. Afer about 90 minutes, I'll spar at speed.

Φ 15 min warm up. 30 min to 1 hour teaching/30 min to 1 hour in private lessons with my Don/30 min to 1 hour in lecture from guest instructors. After that, fence until everyone begs to stop and collapses in exhaustion. I often times am the last one out of armor, about 1 to 2 hours.  ``Samuale

Φ Arrive, chat, suit up, stretch, solo drill a little bit, find a partner, do a few slow bouts, switch to full-speed bouts, get some water, chat, find another partner for more full-speed bouts, get some water, chat, find another partner... Sometimes get distracted and talk costuming and persona with the A&S ladies in the gallery...  ``Ruaidhri

Such ladies are also known as "rapier widows" or "fencing widows"...

Φ Kent, WA - Boeing Rec Center - 3 hr total. 15-30 min meet/greet/stretching is typical. Approx 1-2x month has been a structured 20-30min optional class. If class is avail, I participate and/or assist. Otherwise I typically do 15-20 min slow sparring, and 3-4 sessions of 10-15 minutes fast sparring. Rough attendance is 12-18 people. ratio (ish) 25% beginners, 65% intermediate, 20% advanced.  ``Mughain

Φ Terra Pomaria-- some drill work, footwork, slow blade work, then all out bouts with another fencer, sometimes followed by melees. I was a very new fencer when I lived in Terra Pomaria, and did about 70% drills with another 20% watching more experienced fencers and 10% fighting on my own.

Wastekeep-- I've been desperately trying to get someone to drill with me here, but no one seems to want to do the basics. Lately I've had more success, and I can usually get about 30% drill and slow blade work in. Mostly we just warm up (stretch) and then start fighting. There is another fencer here (young man) who will sit down with me at the beginning of each practice and we decide together what we are going to work on that night (open hand, not getting hit, how to fight from the knees, etc.), and then we pretty much exclusively work with each other. When our Don is at practice he makes an effort to get some personal time in with each fighter there, but our practices really are sporadic and random in form. I'd love to get them more streamlined and uniform, but I don't have that kind of "clout" yet.  ``Luaithrenn

Φ [Response below was formatted for your convenience. ]

Ansteorra

Φ Fight, recover, fight, recover, ...

Φ Trelac: Lots of fast sparring. My sparring partner didn't enjoy drills. Stargate: Lots of fast sparring with comments and instruction from my teachers.  ``Muirghein

Φ Private practices that I have attended were all heavily slanted towards drill, with some sparring at the end.  ``Henri

Φ Come, drop stuff, chat, armor up, chat, teach someone, chat, spar some more, chat, more training, do some focus fighting, chat, go home.

Φ I have done all sorts of practices but most have just been free free sparring. Now it is generally up to me to add anything beyond free sparring.  ``Doré

Φ I give 30 min lessons to everyone that asks then send them off to fight. I watch the fighting and interject things they could do better or advise them when they do well.  ``Pieter

Φ Don Aeron is very committed though to the drill concept and ANY practice he runs will have a good bit of this compared to other practices I have seen in the public venue. [FYI, this wasn't from Aeron.]

Φ Stretch. Find a fighter, have some bouts, talk and drink some water, move on to the next person, make sure I fight a mix of people I can learn from and people who can learn from me. Teach what I know, learn what I can.

Φ Warm up, if just myself and students, we go into old lessons at full speed, We stop to discuss and walk through movements. Full speed sparring, thought sessions. Lots more sparring, interrupted by impromptu lessons.

Φ I begin with an hour or two of drills and footwork then evolving into speed and point control practices mixed with all footwork and stances. I practice (solo) the different masters styles without mixing into other forms. After that, I will then mix all styles to better mold MY own style of fence.

Φ Suit up, stretch, find someone for a quick speed spar set of bouts to warm up, get water, catch breath, look to see who needs or wants drill, group instruction or individual work, do what's needed, get water, marshal and observe sparring bouts, comment, perhaps step in for a bout or two to set more data, supply hopefully constructive commentary, finally try to run the field in speed sparring bouts against any and all comers.  ``David

Φ Stretch some, dress and then stretch some. Spar with someone, take a break, spar and break. Maybe setle with someone for a lesson or slow work on a topic or form, then spar, then try to remember to stretch to cool down. There is often a long break in there for announcements and we eat dinner afterwards. That is when I have a successful pratice, I spar with at least 3 or 4 other fencers. On a bad night I only spar once if I am hurting toomuch.  ``Claire

Φ I held practice at my home. We would average 20 fighters with drills, for all then broken into level groups and work on drills for each at that level, then on new moves or specific masters drills, usually for the more serious there would be reading or research homework for my buddy and i when others had left [...] we would work on specific moves, then spar fast and then work on specific from the sparring. would end the evening with Schlagger at the speed of Epee. This was perhaps the most fun. You had to go more quickly than regular schlagger and you had to call your shots and be precise.  ``Lann-Valdis

Artemisia

Φ Loch Salann: Gossip open sparring for an 1hr, or one on one instruction for 2 hrs.

Φ I don't really go. If I do, and my students are there, we drill a lot and they go play. If I am there with others students, I mostly just play.

Φ Talk some, fight some, maybe do a bear-pit, or if a war is coming up and there are enough people practice melee maneuvers -- at small practices I have spent a lot of time teaching, doing slow work with new people, then spending the last bit doing full speed sparring with other's. At a few practices I've been at, they did a video of the fights then analyzed them. This was helpful. There seems to be several versions of practices, those who come to drill and/or teach, those who are there to fight anyone and everyone, and those in the middle who do some of both.  ``KyneWynn

Atenveldt

Φ Helpful people.
Φ Not long enough.
Φ Overwhelming, fun, almost scary.

Φ Lots of talking, then some fencing, and a lot of bitching. Then better- more fencing, mroe practice, less talking.  ``Senan

Φ Show up. Fight anybody who feels like it. Work with any newbies if asked. Do/encourage melee work if close to Estrella War time.  ``Wallace

Φ I enjoy the slow drill workout with the expericenced fencers. In this way I can see and learn from what my moves are to thiers and vic the same.

Φ I end up teaching at almost every out of Kingdom practice I have been to. The level of teaching depends on the level of the students at the practice.  ``Sebastiana

Φ I attend the practices of another shire near me because there is no one in my area who can teach fencing. The practices I do attend though are usually fun, without formal drilling, which I prefer.  ``Isabella

Φ Warm up - usually by beating the crap out of someone. Jump in to drill work with my student(s). Drill and work technique for most of the evening, get killed a bunch to improve their skills, and then get some fights in with comparable fighters.  ``Rurik

Φ Armor up and ask someone to warm up with me, Sparring at 3/4 speed. After watering up take aside any who wish me to work with them, including personal students, and work with them for at least fifteen minutes. Pick someone out for my students to freefence and observe and comment. Last 30-45minutes is my one free fencing time.  ``Ryan

Atlantia

Φ Stretch on my own. Maybe some drills. Pick-ups. Melee's.

Φ Show up, armor up, spar with peeps, get some advice, slow work, spar some more, get more advice, spar some more... repeat as necessary. Go home.

Φ Practices I've attended have not included much skill work in the form of drills, foot work etc. This is an important aspect of what we do to become stronger fencers. I lead these whenever there is interest.

Φ Typicall there are only two fighters, me and the rapier marshal. We work some slow stuff, then spar up to speed. During the fast sparring as we discover problem arease we go back to slow work for a bit to work the problem.

Φ Talk a bit, stretch & warm up. Spar. Work with folks that want me to. Then spar as long as I can, break, talk a bit, spar some more. Work with folks that want it. Stretch & talk some more. (Talk means everything from being social to bringing up period ideas, methods & techniques, to philosphical concepts.)  ``Duncan

Φ In Black Diamond, when I started, we had drills for about 15-30 minutes. One of my favorite was a race in stance. Then I practiced with the teacher for a while. Then I sparred with other people at the practice. Depending on who was there, I could be learning or teaching.

In Caer Mear, it depended who was at the practice. I had several students that I worked with. And I was continuing to train with my teacher. We usually had a group session at one point, where some of us would be watching a bout and an improptu lesson would happen.

In Lochmere, the practices I happen to go to were very large. I usually fought about 5 people. I tried to start with single rapier, then pick up dagger, then if I had time and someone who wanted to fight me with it, I would play with case.  ``Briana

Caid

Φ Fun, lots of learning.

Φ Good never had much of any problems except perhaps on turnout.

Φ I spend most of my time teaching. When I'm lucky I get to get in a little sparring.  ``Kelan

Φ A typical practice, is usually 10 % drills, 10% critique, 30% fighting, and 50% socializing.

Φ 5-6 people, 2 WS, 2-3 experienced and 1-2 beginners. Usally just practice fighting with 4-8 others - sometimes real instruction.  ``Alexander K

Φ Recently in Calafia - Train students for one hour. Drill students for one hour. watch students spar for one hour. Pick a fight with someone for 15 minutes.  ``Curteis

Φ Fight with 4-8 different fighters. Occassionally focus on a new technique or weapon combo.
Teach by fighting and discussion (more than 50% of my time).  ``Arabella

Φ Stretches. point control warm-up on a target. drills. slow sparring with an experienced person. work with students on specific problems. free-sparring. warm-down.

Φ Show up, talk awhile. Get armed up, warm up by fencing acouple newbies, move on to more challenging fencers. Then go out to dinner with everyone... fun stuff.

Φ Show up. BS for 20-30 minutes. Stretching. Armor up. Movement and point control. Couple of warm-up fights. Start working with newer fighters. Pick-ups with anyone I can.

Φ For me, the practice is in the execution. I learn by doing. If something doesn't work then the guy's blade sticking out of your chest will tell you soon enough. Make the correction and go again.  ``Tora

Φ Usually, I spend 30-60' teaching or drilling new students, then spar with each of the people at practice. I try to incorporate a drill or two into the sparring, and work on things that they or I need.  ``Todde

Φ I'm so spoiled. My shire seems to be a hotbed of rapier activity, and my two current instructors are both Dons. The other fighters vary in skill, but for the most part, are intermediate/advanced. I'm pretty much the only beginner.  ``Iliana

Φ Fighting..fighting...more fighting....if fighting someone better than I am, going over what happened in particular fights slowly, l0oking at the moves, analyzing, and learning new ones...then try to fight using the new move; if fighting someone not quite as good as I am, same thing....

Φ I practice a couple of different practices a week (at least on a good week I try to depending on work). I find that my Tues night pratice is better for melee style fighting and lots fighting with different people. The Wed. night prctice is better for more individual teaching ( 3 Dons, no waiting).  ``Colwyn

Φ Stretch out, find the person I want to teach that evening, train them for a while, find the next person, train them for a while, and if there is enough time (and the right people there) actually get in a good sparring match with an equal or better partner.  ``Grainne

Φ Stand around and talk, get armoured, talk some more, work with new fighters or pick a sparring partner, stand around and talk, greet fighters who arrive late, pick a new sparing partner, maybe initiate a "king or the hill" or the rare melee, Water break and talk, say goodnight to those who leave early spar with one or two more partners, talk to new fencers about their practise experience, Remove armour as you talk some more, go to pub.  ``Meala

Φ ... At my local Baronial practice, I try to do a lot more teaching with indiviuals. When newbies show up, one of the up and coming fencers will teach them some of the basics, enough to get them comfrotable fighting and learning from others. I like to spend my time fighting people, learning what they are doing, working around what they are doing, then taking them aside and working through what I was doing (the "how'd you do that? or What am I doing wrong? questions).  ``Lot

Drachenwald

Φ Only practiced at official events so far.

Ealdormere

Φ Two hours with occasional breaks.  ``Gerrard

Φ Generally, I gear up when I know there are at least 3 or more people there who will fence. I then pair up with people as they are available. I will generally spar with that person (barring equipment failure) until they get to tired to continue (it's usually them), and then we retire to relax. I will usually stay off the field from some time (10 minutes, maybe 20) before getting around to going back on.

Φ I'm totally undisciplined and utterly _hate_ drills. I much prefer a one-on-one slow-to-full speed bout with an opponent who can show me what I'm doing wrong in situ. Part of my problem with drills is that I can never remember my right or my left or what's a number X parry or what-have-you. I get flustered, I get angry, I lose any possible benefit of the drill in my all-consuming embarassment at being unable to follow simple instructions. Once I figured this out, I started to enjoy fencing a lot more...  ``Nicholas

East

Φ Social and playful with occasional formal structure.
Φ ... just my partner and I trying to muddle stuff out for ourselves.  ``Robert

Φ I would do some streching, some floor work & theh go pick a fight.
Φ Some teching, some talking, some fighting, and some real learning.

Φ In general its always a learning experience whether its how my students react to something or how I learn the newest move or technique.  ``Santiago

Φ Warm up at 3/4 to full speed, bouts with at least 5 other fencers--all with 100 speed. Practice with my teacher both slow and normal to fast.

Φ I show up, chat a bit, stretch out armour up and call out someone. rest a bit chat some more teach some if anyone wants lessons if not play more.  ``Griffith

Φ I get there, BS with people. Stretch a little. Get dressed. Do drill work solo if no one is around to fence yet. Fence/teach whoever interests me.  ``Brokk

Φ Thankfully we get lots of fencers at our practices so there is always someone to play with, floorspace to play may be lacking at times with so many people.

Φ Get there, stretch, gear up, warm up, analyse when not fencing, try new tricks/ideas. Have at least one or two 'serious' combats, cool down, gear down, get in car, discuss analysis of practice (with whoever drove with me, even if it's only myself) and go home.  ``Jane

Φ Pretty much get your gear on and go. Find a partner and fence. I WOULD like to have some regular slow sparring and drillwork (first I've heard of it here) to learn more, and to have something to practice in solo, because honestly, I don't do much solo practicing because I wouldn't really know WHAT to practice.

Φ A teaching practice means that I'll spend 50% or so of my time running drills, providing instruction, bouting with intent to comment and so on, and the rest free sparring. A typical non-teaching practice will have me fighting as many people as I can with little or no break for the duration of the practice. (Helps with stamina, doncha know ...)

Lochac

Φ It was ok, but the instructor had a tendency to talk too much.
Φ Tiring, I find myself running sessions rather than training myself.  ``Dameon

Φ Turn up, fence a bit, train a bit, do some footwork, watch some guys, go home.

Φ Terrilbe, of no use and generally confusing. The teacher had no goal other than their own glory.

Φ [Response is below.]

• College - Gather around. Think about doing some practice. Do some footwork or parrying drills badly and then chuck it in for a meatgrinder.
• Private - Try out stuff without armour. Put on armour and try it on full speed. Work out why it doesn't work. Try it again with adjustments. Get it right and beat the snot out of my Don. Don't get it right and beat him only half the time.
• Baronial - Gather wondering what to do. I have to think of something. Do developing drills (footwork, then footwork with blade work, then add hand work, then add armour and try it at full speed) or give fencers a parameter to play in slowly for about 15 minutes and then come back for a discussion on how that technique can be used and how it can't be used.  ``Gregory

Meridies

Φ The more the merrier.

Φ Visit, warm up, visit, drill, fight, teach some, visit.

Φ Infrequent. I would just be happy to have a training partner, SCA or other, close by.

Φ Usually I like a warm-up fight or two, but I go out mostly just to have fun and enjoy fencing other folks.

Φ Get there, see if there is another marshall. If not, don't dress out, if so swap out with the other marshall.

Midrealm

Φ Warm ups/Streching. Short Drill. Free Sparring or teaching.
Φ Warmup drill. Work on a move I am trying to perfect. Sparring.

Φ Stand around, wait for an armored combatant to get done and decide to fence.

Φ If I am practicing, its like a long bear pit tourney. If I am teaching/training it is like an explained solo workout.  ``Gilebert

Φ Warmups followed by round-robin bouts with the fencers present (usually 6-10), working on various styles and techniques.

Φ A lot less teaching. Still try to fence as many people as possible and try to seek out more experienced fencers to better challenge my abilities.

Φ Inconsistent. I've rarely been at a place with more than 5 fencers at a practice and usually not the same 5. I can count on 1 or 2 fencers that will be there regulary.  ``Maximilian

Φ My teacher teaches by doing, so we just got in there and fenced. Thankfully that worked great for me. But I can see how it might not be good for others so I try to be more organized and teach better.  ``Zygmunt

Φ Typically, I show up, the fun begins. Most of the places I practice are great for learning or teaching. One shire I play with has only five fencers, so I work on stuff with them. The two baronies I play with teach me and I learn. But mainly there seems to be much more time schmoozing with friends which is a nice break too. Melee practices and scenarios are usually par for the course as well.  ``Molly

Φ Usually spar with whoever is available, usually only 5 fencers at the most are present. They seldom try anything new or different, unless I suggest it. I need to borrow another sword or dagger to practice that way, since I only own a buckler and sword. Our rapier marshall seldom (to me anyway) points out what I should or shouldn't be doing, I don't really have a "teacher" I just do my own thing.

Φ Somewhat frustrating - I learn best (based on past experience in other combat forms) with drills and slow work. The other fencers in my shire are either very skilled and/or not drill-oriented or complete novices and not interested in period techniques. I compensate by trying to observe other skilled fighters at any event I'm around and hope some of it seeps in by osmosis. My warder and I are in the process of trying to find a happy medium.  ``Kyrstyan

Φ ... the official Windhaven practice at Memorial Park in Appleton [is] nice because it gives me a chance at practicing on unlevel ground, grass, sun glare, stuff like that. My primary practice is ... unofficial ... where we practice in the commons (yay, free drinks! ^_^ ) on regular flat stone flooring. This is where the bulk of practice and training takes place with my teachers and just for fun fights with other fencers who show up. We usually fight at my full speed, their half or so.

Φ There are 4 of us and we all.... streach out, go over footwork, seperately, warm-up. Then pair off, I work footwork w/ newbie, Other teacher drills bladwork w/ authorized fighther. Switch other insturctor works bladwork w/ newbie, authorized fighter and I drill bladwork w/each other. Switch. Newbie writes out drills, new moves learned that day. The three of us switch off sparing in various forms. The newbie started to spar lightly a couple of weeks ago (has been with us since mid-Spring. [Note: survey was answered in Aug 2003.]

Φ When we practiced it was just full speed practice bouts, but when one of your practice partners is Duke _____ you pick up come good moves in a hurry. I don't actually have any real period and/or strip fencing moves nor do I have any real footwork. Just what I figured out works for me. I have a bad taste in my mouth about "fencing schools" and "cadets" from an early tourney I witnessed with _____ and _____ and how they acted and how _____ treated one of his "students" I decided if that is how that works I'd just do my own thing.

Φ This is when I go to practice once per quarter at the nearest Barony, because I'm the only authorized & active fencer in my group: Arrive late because of the long drive after getting out of work. Maybe up to four people there, one Warder of the Bronze Ring; he's the reason I go there. If I'm lucky, I have only one other person there, we switch opponents. Our Warder will do slow sparring with me and show me moves/correct me, besides fight full speed. Not nearly enough time, nor frequently enough. My typical "practice" has been fighting in tournaments elsewhere the best I could, trying to learn by doing and watching others.  ``Kriemhilt

Northshield

Φ Fight visit fight visit sweat,drink water fight go home and wish I was still fighting and think of all the things that I wanted to work on.

Φ I've only fenced in one place, we have 3 practices every two weeks, one of which is devoted to drillwork and slow sparring and the other two are slow and fast sparring.

Φ It varies. Some began with warm-iups and slow work/drills, others jumper right into fighting. Around here currently (central Northshield), the local practice is pretty much free-sparring with little to no instruction. When I work with my students or at a household practice, we start with drills and then progress to slow work and finish with open fighting.  ``Simon

Outlands

Φ Warm-up, then look for fights. Sometimes do drill, sometimes do slow work, sometimes teach, but all preferably one-on-one.  ``Carrick

Φ Caerthe: Have not attended many practices, but when I have there were not many fighters in attendance and I was not up to par on fighting constantly, so it was more social.

Φ al-Barran: Showed up early, generally stayed late. During my peak times, I'd fight pretty constantly for 3 hours with little rest. During non-peak times, it was more a social event where I would catch up with friends.

Φ Depends on whether or not I have authorizations to do. If I have a person or people who need to be authorized, my entire practice is taken up with that. If there is drill, I participate in it. (Prior to last summer, I regularly *ran* drill, and didn't get to fence more than one or two people.) If there is no drill, I try to find the folks who will push my skills as much as possible. Failing that, I just fill the dance card and either just play, or work on something I feel the need to improve upon.  ``Rivka

Trimaris

Φ Its been too long since I went to a practice that I didnt run!  ``Coinneach

Φ For me this is a bit different, I started out on the strip close to 30 years ago. I think that I am a bit different than your general fencer.  ``Mikael

Φ Thursday practice: Show up. Armor up. Fight until everyone else quits. Sunday practice: Show up. armor up heavy, fight until every heavy quits. Then armor up light, fight until everyone quits.

Φ I fight, try out new moves with as many people as possible, and get better with every practice. If it's an official practice, I tolerate the marshall, and put up with his blather as best I can. I learn a lot more at unofficail practices, though.

Φ A typical practice usually involves my Don giving me some 1 on 1 (about 20 minutes)time, with the other Dons and experienced fencers adding comments as they see fit. The rest of the practice is involved with sparring with the others, usually at half-speed about half the time.  ``Melangell

Φ A typical practice for me is to do some warm ups and stretching, then go to sparring. I have trouble watching a student fence someone else to see what they are doing so I have to be in the mix and fighting them. I am a hands on type of teacher. So I am constantly fighting.  ``Seamus

Φ We have a number of Dons and experienced fencers and a number of relatively new fencers (been fencing less than 2 years) who all attend the same weekly practice. Generally we pair up and spar and/or drill, and then my Don will introduce a new technique or skill or review something I still haven't mastered. I end up fighting with at least 3-4 Dons/experienced fighters at every practice. I usually also end up practicing with one or two less skilled fighters as well and help coach them. Our biggest problem is that we don't have enough space for everyone to fight all the time - our practices are indoors, and we have a lot of people who show up because they want to be "hangers on" but do not fight themselves. Personally, I have problems with other Dons wanting to coach me, even when I'm working with someone else, rather than letting me work with my own Don or the person I'm sparring with. It's very frustrating to have a literal gallery watching every move! and insisting on giving you conflicting information and thinking that you should do everything each one of them say. But that's just my personal situation.  ``Dulcia

Φ [Response is below.]

• dress and inspect
• discuss briefly what went on at the last practice
• discuss needs of individuals re: techniques, rules questions, armour/clothe tests,coming events and happenings, check for injuries or changes. Check new students for things or motions which they cannot do because of injury or chronic illness. Stress the need for fluids before beginning and during work. Stress the need of each rapierist to observe the appearance of others to avoid injury or heat related problems
• warm-ups and stretching
• appointing teaching responsibilities to cadets/assistant marshals, marshals in training.
• foot work-hand work, measure, positive critique of form correction where needed. I like the tem, "Try this and see if it works for you." Try to explain why it might work better.
• demonstration/explanation of new techniques
• drill of new techniques/half speed work
• questions and more hydration(not just here but continually)
• free play, rotating marshals
• melee work if six or more are willing, although one on two or three, or other uneven sides are also used as variety
• cool down, stretch, further question period
• private time with cadets/ marshals regarding problems, needs of individuals and the like

West

Φ I try to pick up at least one thing that I can work on.

Φ I have lessons with my Master Monday nights, we have regular recap practices every tuesday night. Then if we choose a local baronial practice on Sunday.

Φ Usually they are only about 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours in length. Some review of what has already been covered, the rest on making those current skills better and learning something new. It would be great if practices could be either in the same place and location as the heavy fighter practice at Mission College or close by. All the practices are too far away from San Jose to do after a long day at work, not to mention the traffic.  ``Alessandra

Observations on multiple kingdoms

The authors of these comments generally have been residents of each of the places they mention.

Φ AEthelmearc and Atenveldt: 1/3 practice devoted to drills or class; 1/3 single sparring; 1/3 melee practice.  ``Sasha

Φ Practices in Atenveldt and Aethelmearc are really pretty similar, at least in my local groups. Once a week for an hour or two, at the regularly scheduled fighter practice. We get a reasonable amount of individual practice against the instructor, but then certain things that he wants to teach us, all the novices (usually 2 or 3) get shown at the same time, and then we practice it. My instructor here in Atenveldt is a better teacher in general, but overall the practices run similarly. There aren't very many rapier fighters here ... nor were there in ... Aethelmearc, so individual instruction's pretty easy to get.  ``Reina

Φ AEthelmearc, Atenveldt, and East: It's varied wildly. Mostly people show up, mill around, and eventually start to fence but the details vary.  ``John Patrick

Φ An Tir, Ansteorra, and Drachenwald: It's been the same everywhere. Everyone warms up and then starts either doing slow or fast sparring. There are instances where people voluntarily split off to learn footwork and other subjects, but it stays the same everywhere I have been.  ``Caiaphas

Φ An Tir, Atenveldt, Drachenwald, and West: Everywhere I have been it's always, show up, gear up, a few people stretch, and then everyone starts full speed fighting.  ``Crispy

Φ Mostly, in both An Tir and Drachenwald, the practices may involve slow sparring (to try out moves, assist in warming up muscles, etc), but mostly involves a series of sparring bouts interspersed with suggestions from the more experienced fencer(s) as to where the problems lie and how to avoid errors.  ``Acarin

Φ Ansteorra, Caid, and Outlands: Almost all sparring and very little drills in most places. Drills were more common in Caid.

Φ Caid and Northshield: Most places I've been it's fight, fight, fight.  ``Lot

Φ Drachenwald and Outlands: Most if not all "Fencing Practice" has been show up and spar with as many people as possible. I have only seen one practice location that does spend some time on truly working with their fencers.

It varies . . .

Φ An Tir ~ Anything from good drill/slow work to let's have fun.

Φ Atl. ~ Varies.

Φ Caid ~ Too varied to give an accurate response.

Φ Caid ~ Varies depending on the number of people involved and their experience.

Φ East ~ It all depends ... it can go: footwork, paired drills, free sparring, melee game/s; it can go: stretches, free sparring; it can go: "it's the monday after pennsic, nobody feels like fencing, let's go to the diner."  ``Richild

Φ Mid. ~ Sometimes we just spar. Sometimes its all learning/slow-work. Sometimes its a mix...  ``Alexander

Φ Nor. ~ It varies depending on time of year/location. Normally here in Nordskogen (Northshield) in the summer we fence outside, so in poor weather we cancel practice. But in the winter more show up. We've had set nights for different types of practice (such as melee night) and also do bear pits periodically. Even though some groups have many marshals it can be a problem getting a marshal to practice. We've been having this problem this summer so we temp. moved the rapier practice to Tues (normally on Weds) with the armoured fighters.  ``Faelan

[end]

Up to index	Main page - typical practices Other practice formats: • Prep first • Drill first • Most or all sparring Typical = Ideal
Questions 22-25 Slow work		Question 27 Ideal Practices

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Original page posted: October 18, 2004. Last tweaked: July 1, 2006.

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