Instructor: Jaye Brooks Sr

In the martial discipline of armored combat, swordsmanship skills are of paramount importance. The ability to wield a sword with precision, agility, and strength can mean the difference between victory and defeat. The sword, a weapon of both offense and defense, requires a deep understanding of its weight, balance, and edge alignment. The first skill to master in armored combat is the basic stance. The fighter must maintain a balanced and flexible posture, ready to strike, parry, or move at a moment’s notice. The sword should be held firmly but not rigidly, allowing for swift and fluid movements. Next, the fighter must learn the various strikes and combinations . Each of these attacks targets a different part of the opponent’s body and requires a different movement of the sword and the body. In addition to offensive moves, a skilled swordsman must also master defensive techniques. This includes parrying, which is the act of deflecting an opponent’s attack with one’s own sword, and blocking, which involves using the sword to stop an attack. Footwork is another crucial aspect of swordsmanship in armored combat. The fighter must be able to move quickly and nimbly, changing direction and position to evade attacks and launch their own. Finally, a good swordsman must have a keen sense of timing and distance “measure”. They must know when to attack, when to defend, and when to retreat. They must also be able to judge the distance between themselves and their opponent accurately, to ensure that their attacks hit their mark and their defenses are effective. In armored combat, swordsmanship is not just about physical skill. It also requires mental acuity, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the principles of combat. It is a discipline that demands constant practice and refinement, and those who master it are truly formidable fighters.