GFFG Basic Meyer Quarterstaff Series 01: Body & weapon mechanics Pt 1
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- Опубликовано: 11 мар 2016
- While the handling of lighter weapons like rapier or longsword can be reminiscent of solo dancing, handling heavier weapons like the quarterstaff, halberd or Zweihänder is more like partnered dancing or figure skating, where your weapon is your partner, both moving in perfect synchronicity. The need for proper mechanics and timing is greatly emphasized with these heavy and powerful weapons and with good mechanics you more guide your weapon, following it with your body and often just nudging it into a new trajectory, as a dancing partner.
Unfortunately not many practice Meyer's polearms although every Meyer student should. For that reason I have decided to start recording a very informal series of videos showing some of the core principles of the mechanics and footwork involved, to help get people started, possibly digging deeper into techniques and more advanced concepts in an extended series.
So get yourself a staff, either a regular bo, or an ash or oak staff of about 180-22cm x 3cm in size. Oak is more fun as it is heavier, but ash safer for later sparring.
NOTE: One small comment on an artefact in the movement:
When I twist the staff down towards my left I wrongly move the leading foot back while it should be planted on the ground, with the weight at the balls of my feet so the foot can twist with the movement. This is how I teach it.
I am not sure why this artefact came up here, but I hurt my knee quite badly a couple of weeks ago, making it unstable and painful, for which reason I had wrapped it up tightly when we shot the video. Too tightly, even.
So, when you practice this, try to keep the lead foot in position, not pulling it back as you twist. 
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i appreciate you showing the fundamentals (chest/hips/feet positions). this is very valuable to me, thank you!
excellent video, i hope you keep the series going, i will be watching in that case. The quarterstaff is a beautifull and understimated weapon, keep teaching us how to prove them all that they are wrong!
One small comment on an artefact in the movement:
When I twist the staff down towards my left I wrongly move the leading foot back while it should be planted on the ground, with the weight at the balls of my feet so the foot can twist with the movement. This is how I teach it.
I am not sure why this artefact came up here, but I hurt my knee quite badly a couple of weeks ago, making it unstable and painful, for which reason I had wrapped it up tightly when we shot the video. Too tightly, even.
So, when you practice this, try to keep the lead foot in position, not pulling it back as you twist.
OMG; this body movement is so amazingly similar to some of the classical Japanese schools (koryu) I have trained!! Sorry if I kind of curse in the church but the similarities are striking. Down to the stance where the feet and knee point to the side and the heel is of the ground, to the angles of the hips in the other stances, as well as to where the front hand shall fall on the inside of the knee if you let go of the staff. Exactly the same!
Far from every detail is the same ofc but the similarities outnumber the differences by far.
woah, opposite sides of the world ended up use similar styles because they independently concluded it was best. that's fascinating and somewhat validating of it's effectiveness. thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for this. Its great to have some exercise, when you have noone to practice with.
cool vid i hope you make more soon :D
I want anyone who says big people are weak to fight this man. You are an amazing person. Thank you.
Nicely done, I've learned Bo staff before and found Meyer's staff is impressive. Could you refer the book or document about it?
You need to turn up the volume in these vids, they're informative but it's hard to hear you at times.
Yeah, I need to make it more professional, using a proper camera instead my phone. However, as I am kept incredibly busy, the idea was to just do things simple and quick, mostly improvising and shooting it right after regular practice, recording a few minutes at a time. Making it too demanding in resources and time just means it gets more difficult to actually do it.
But, I will see what I can do. Thank you for commenting!
Hroarr Plppppvwiwf
@@Hroarr Things: One does them right or not at all... No excuses.
Yeah, right. :)
There's also the saying "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." You are complaining about something given to you for free, from someone who dedicates a lot of his time to teaching, worldwide, for free. Want something better? Simple. Do it yourself.
Friendly suggestions are cool Whining, less so.
Are there any videos or a place that shows the basic ways to parry with the quarterstaff in the guards?
Not really, no, but basically you parry from different directions by striking with the "long" or "short" edge from the different guards. You can either strike short, to Mittelhut/Gerader Versatzung, or through into another guard or attack. You can see this done in various videos
As someone new to Meyer, does he use these same body mechanics for longsword and/or other weapons? I like how you show they can be used for longsword, just wondering if that is what is also shown in the treatises. Thanks for the video.
Yes, absolutely. There are some differences of course, but this is at the core of all of Meyer's fencing and needs to be understood. Without it, it just isn't proper Meyer fencing as it affects footwork, balance, structure and power generation
whats the ideal lenght of a quarterstaff? I got one 1,67m long, wonder if I'll have any problem practicing with this one
Depends a bit on your length. For most people about 210cm is a decent length, although around 185cm is also workable. Look at the first longsword image of Joachim Meyer's fencing treatise and how the fencing master holds his staff. From there you can get an idea how you should be able to hold yours.
Thnx for the answer!
How does the system handle up close fighting? Do you grab the staff more towards the center like in eastern styles? Seems a bit unwieldy to hit things standing only a few feet away with such a long staff when you hold it at one end.
Naturally, there's very little cqc with polearms as they are designed specifically for longest possible distance. There are a couple of second intent actions at closer distance, after the first strike, where you close in with a centre grip, but only a couple. And there is also a disarm taken from from older technique with longsword in e.g. "Ringeck".
In close quarters you generally wanna thrust anyways. Don't underestimate a thrust from a staff, that shit will knock you tf out
Are you left handed?
No, right-handed. You want to keep the strong, dominant hand at the back end so you have better control, especially with single-hand strikes.
Very interesting! thanks for the great video
Terminology sounds Dutch.
German, in fact, unless translated to English.
The older german language from the the times of lichtenaur and Meyer are actually closer to the dutch language. The old texts can be read very well if you master dutch. However the cryptic alliterations used can make it difficult to understand the point
Good video but sound very poor. Viewer spends too much time trying to understand what is said than just absorbing the lesson. Consider overdubbing the video or re-shooting it.
Can't hear shit, captain
Then wash your ears, son.