Here are all the notes that I've gone over so far in class. They are written for me as quick references, so they may feel scattered.
Week 1 - movement with the buckler
Figure 8 cutting drill with out the buckler
Figure 8 cutting drill with the buckler
Sticky swords without buckler focus of binding
Sticky swords with the buckler working on keeping the hands together and moving buckler around the
Hello fellow Swordfighters!
As some of you are well aware, Bucklerfest was last weekend, an epic weekend full of sparring, instruction, and demonstration. It was geared towards the use of the buckler across different cultures, regions, and time periods. Given the fact that this weekend was the first time I had ever used a buckler, I think it gives me a unique perspective to write about.
The first night was a meet and greet, that, like all good meet and greets, was centered around fighting. Specifically with the use of a buckler, and in my case, a bastard sword. After picking up the small shield I quickly realized I had no idea how to use it, I copied some stances I saw others use while fighting, and entered the ring. I quickly dropped the facade that I was holding up and opted to use a lighter, more aggressive boxer style…
Which style with sword and shield did you prefer?
This is the oldest manuscript describing how to fight with a sword. Specifically it is using a sword with the Buckler. It is the basis of much of our sword and buckler work and a root for the viking sword and shield as well.
http://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Walpurgis_Fechtbuch_(MS_I.33)
Week Four
3rd ward vs half shield,
If third ward does nothing, attack, stepping off to half shield's left
Third ward should fall under, bind off line to the right and step and attack to his left
Half shield then counterbinds, enters with a shield strike and attacks
Third ward then has the options of the first ward vs half shield (Counterbind into step through, change of the swords, or wrap)
3rd ward Vs Krucke ish
Krucke-ish sword is extended out to the right, buckler drops under and protects the hand from the downward cut from the left
KISH - Roll and strike if 3rd ward does nothing
3rd should bind over the top clearing to his left and entering with a protected thrust
KISH if 3nd does bind should be prepared to enter with a wrap with the buckler arm
5th VS halpschilt
Halpschilt if he does nothing strike, but make sure to move to 5th ward's left side avoiding the danger and line of attack (rolling the sword to enter)
( If coming up to a lefty - play as if he is in a right 1st ward )
5th will come up to 6 and thrust behind the buckler, protecting the head with the buckler well forward and more of a hip hinge
Halpschilt will gum things up with a shield strike (true edges meet) attack to the head
Can go back to 1st ward vs halpschilt counters
5th ward has the option of cutting through the sword and buckler from above cutting between the sword and buckler
Half shielder will turn his buckler 90 degrees and into a long point
Sword grab counter
When an opponent grabs your blade, pull sword back out of their hand while sliding buckler along your blade to push their hand off