Results and comments from the Aug/Sep 2003 survey.

	Ýves’ big SCA rapier survey #1 ~ Ideal Practices: Period moves/technique/style
	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 27.

Only a few people mentioned anything like period moves, style, or technique in their response regarding their Ideal Practice.

The "Ideal Practice"

Note that people differ in their standards. Note also that the responses regarding actual practices/training reflect one person's impression of what it was like. This may have been long before this survey (Aug-Sep 2003).

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.
 

An Tir

Φ Start. Stretch/warmup. Verbal lesson (period style, going over previous practice, basic instruction, rules etc.)  Drills. Practical aplication (super slow). Slow work. Sparing. End.  ``Tomas

Φ Something that would cover each weapon combination teaching more period styles and techniques, and build up to a period fencer. A combination of drills, slow work, and fast work, mixxed with fun.  ``Tristan

Ansteorra

Φ My ideal pactice is formed entirely around the historical texts and is a year+-long continuous practice that picks up right where it left off the week before.  ``Aeron

Atenveldt

Φ I would like to be able to attend practices taught by someone with extensive period rapier combat knowledge. There would be some drilling involved, but more full speed sparring than drilling.  ``Isabella

Φ Erud Sul practice, Flagstaff,AZ. Practice always begins with ten minutes of warm up drills. Then a lesson is given usually covering one or two new guards/moves from a period manual, this takes about 15 minutes. Then pair up and drill the new information for about 20 minutes. After drilling is finished free fencing is aloud and instructers may spend individual time with students.  ``Ryan

Atlantia

Φ Hm. It would include a lesson on period fencing, some strength / conditioning / flexibility drills, slow work, some theory. Most importantly, it would be fun. This is one I'd have to think about more.  ``Alejandro

Drachenwald

Φ Study of period manuals, drills, lots of bouts.

Φ [My ideal practice is]

• 5-10min fencing to get warmed up and in the mood. (Some folks will have a horror of fighting without stretching, but over the past few years, several sports fitness studies have shown no measurable benefit to stretching before performance, but that it weakens the muscles. I stretch in the mornings. After practice is also a good time).
• 5-10min review previous weeks techniques (drills)
• 30 min Basic drills, fundamentals. Start slow, build up, as far as full speed if it stays smooth.
• 30 min advanced/period technique. Typical work from a particular manual (applicable to sidesword or rapier)
• 30 min practice fighting, slow sparring / or 75% to full speed but aiming to use the techniques just learned.
• 30 min free sparring (sometime sidesword also, if so 'cool-down' discussion).
• Brief review discussion, plans for following week.  ``Cernac

Ealdormere

Φ I would like to have a person who has a greater knowledge and experience of period technique running the practice so I could learn more. I spend a lot of time teaching, and I'd like to spend more time practicing. Lots of drill to build up things like muscle memory and improve style.  ``Albrecht

Midrealm

Φ A mix of drills, normal sparring, melee tactics and period styles ... [with]instruction and pointers.

Φ Drills and Period study for 2 hrs or so, and then a 1/2 hour of sparring to try out what you have learned that day.

Northshield

Φ Time set aside every practice for footwork, drills, period technics, sparing.

Outlands

Φ One that incorporates period moves with solid fundamentals. And it HAS to be fun.  ``Zygmunt

West

Φ ... drill work, period fighting techniques, fast pace, melees.  ``Etain

Φ Class consist of period techniques disscussed and practical aplication throgh drills and sparring.

Up to index	Main page - Ideal Practices Prep first Drills More (something) Typical = Ideal
Question 26 Typical practices		Question 28 Skill rank

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

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