A few small comments. As always I would like to correct my stances now and then, but at the same time I don¨t believe in perfect stances, but good natural movement. There is one slight oddity in the clip though and that is the fact that I commonly aim at the face of the camera man, while he is holding the camera a bit lower, making it seem as if I aim too high. Now and then I remember to aim for the camera though. I also held back the strikes a bit, for fear of hitting either the vulnerable gym hall floor, or the camera man. That makes some strikes a bit slower. Finally, these big sweeps are also meant to defend against incoming thrusts from pikes and halberds and can then be modified a bit in angle to better counter those.
I have to say my Friend and I have been sparing with spears and shields for a long time. We prefer our reach with our weapons and for sometime we were looking for quality videos to help us learn pole-arms and quarter staffs and you are by far the best We have found. So Thank you for the videos
Thank you so much for the kind words. I really, really appreciate that. Sucks that there is so little material out there though, but we are working to remedy that. Also check out the polearms clips of my club. ruclips.net/p/PLwTpeBFSU6MSufNqvYxAhcm0Nhz35oMDQ
+Knucker Hi Al! This is just a crude reenactment halberd that a friend modified and gave a new longer ash shaft. Very nice and not far off some of the real 16th century halberds I have been fortunate enough to swing around. Still dreaming of my own antique halberd...
A little off subject, but you look metal as hell with that black headed halberd. Anyway, such big movements required by this size of a weapon also require the proper grounding, hence the wide stance, correct? Or is there something I'm missing?
+Matthew Brown I think there are more things than that going on with the mechanics but wide stances are certainly required if you are to be able to shift weight back and forth and twist your hips and shoulders properly. It just doesn't work well with tight stances and as you note not at all with heavy weapons. While it might not show in the video, there is an incredible amount of power involved here. Just imagine swinging 3/4 of a pound on a two meter string, which is essentially what you are doing here. And then focus that power onto a pointy hook or sharp edge...
+Hroarr The savate "pivot" shows how it's done with a more narrow stance - it's the same basic action, but you have to allow more rotation through the chest.
+Russ Mitchell Can we really compare the two? One with heavy arms and one unarmed? The rotation may be similar, but using the narrow savate rotation with heavy polearms and with stable footwork seems tricky.
+Hroarr Savateurs don't *want* stable footwork in the sense you may be implying, but rather dynamic. . But otherwise, yes, it absolutely works and works well. I have done it for years without issue and I am no gift to either discipline! (Loving this series btw)
+Russ Mitchell Hey Russ! Thanks for taking the time to discuss this! Just to be clear, are you doing narrow stances with crosscutting and halberds/heavy staves, combined with footwork and in sparring too? What I found is that this mechanics more importantly sets up the whole body for movement, preparing the feet, and shifting the body weight to movement, even before you actually step. This is often combined with double thrusts/strikes in combination, either as feint/attack, parry/attack, attack/parry or broken attack/2nd attack. Small note about Meyer's footwork. I believe he is in constant movement too, with pretty dynamic footwork, but there is a certain stability there that I think connects to the power and weight of the weapons. Large 360 degree strikes with staves & halberds, and working with the heavy pike requires some solid mechanics and stances.
Unfortunately these were custom tailored to my measurements and requests and the tailor isn't taking any orders. Possibly she can refer to someone else. I can ask her.
There will be later this term. I am just off to Germany to teach, but when I get back and as the regular teaching season with Gothenburg Free Fencers Guild, my club, is rolling again, I will make sure to shoot some new ones.
Awesome! Looking forward to it. I'd be especially interested in techniques used against folks using a sword and shield. I was also wondering if you could explain the reasoning behind the ending position of the lead leg. In everything I've ever practiced, I've been told to point my toes towards the opponent so this is a totally new style for me and I'm having a lot of trouble with balancing.
If you are thinking about how the leading foot twists out to rougly 10-11 o'clock, then it has three reasons: First, it opens up the torso and hips so you can let the weapon fly by your left side easier, extending the right side further forwards as you do so. Second' it also provides a bit of stability compared to forcing it forward. Third, it prepares for a passing step. All of it with nuances depending on the actions of your opponent and your own intentions. Generally speaking though, you should strive to keep the leading foot aimed at the opponent, but that is more for when you actually come into contact with the opponent's body or weapon, or if wish to threaten the opponent. Neither are true for when your weapon flies by your left side.
Awesome! Thank you so much, that makes a lot of sense and I really appreciate the response. The other thing I'm wondering about is the front heavy stance. Is there a specific reason they taught leaning so far forward?
Actually, it is not really front heavy all the time. You keep shifting between leaning back, to centre, to forward-leaning stance. That way you can both move in balance, keep your upper body safe, confuse the opponent concerning your distance and reach, as well as bait him to attack your back.
![BRASIL vs. PERÚ [4-0] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 10](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tbyOJKXfQnI/mqdefault.jpg)
A few small comments. As always I would like to correct my stances now and then, but at the same time I don¨t believe in perfect stances, but good natural movement.
There is one slight oddity in the clip though and that is the fact that I commonly aim at the face of the camera man, while he is holding the camera a bit lower, making it seem as if I aim too high. Now and then I remember to aim for the camera though. I also held back the strikes a bit, for fear of hitting either the vulnerable gym hall floor, or the camera man. That makes some strikes a bit slower.
Finally, these big sweeps are also meant to defend against incoming thrusts from pikes and halberds and can then be modified a bit in angle to better counter those.
Thank you Roger another excellent video, made more excellent by fancy-pants!
"you use it to kill rich people" i laughed out loud for real
I would love to see Meyer's Polearms applied to zweihander. Would you change the lead hand and not cross your arms?
I really would like to see more videos on the techniques of Meyer.
Thank you! There will be eventually and I apologize for the delays. Very busy rebuilding the site right now. :)
I have to say my Friend and I have been sparing with spears and shields for a long time. We prefer our reach with our weapons and for sometime we were looking for quality videos to help us learn pole-arms and quarter staffs and you are by far the best We have found. So Thank you for the videos
Thank you so much for the kind words. I really, really appreciate that. Sucks that there is so little material out there though, but we are working to remedy that. Also check out the polearms clips of my club. ruclips.net/p/PLwTpeBFSU6MSufNqvYxAhcm0Nhz35oMDQ
Awesome stuff. Thank you
Excellent
this is just amazing.
Very nice Roger! Is that Halbard head a custom reproduction or a genuine piece from your collection?
Cheers, Al
+Knucker
Hi Al!
This is just a crude reenactment halberd that a friend modified and gave a new longer ash shaft. Very nice and not far off some of the real 16th century halberds I have been fortunate enough to swing around. Still dreaming of my own antique halberd...
A little off subject, but you look metal as hell with that black headed halberd.
Anyway, such big movements required by this size of a weapon also require the proper grounding, hence the wide stance, correct? Or is there something I'm missing?
+Matthew Brown
I think there are more things than that going on with the mechanics but wide stances are certainly required if you are to be able to shift weight back and forth and twist your hips and shoulders properly. It just doesn't work well with tight stances and as you note not at all with heavy weapons.
While it might not show in the video, there is an incredible amount of power involved here. Just imagine swinging 3/4 of a pound on a two meter string, which is essentially what you are doing here. And then focus that power onto a pointy hook or sharp edge...
+Hroarr The savate "pivot" shows how it's done with a more narrow stance - it's the same basic action, but you have to allow more rotation through the chest.
+Russ Mitchell
Can we really compare the two? One with heavy arms and one unarmed? The rotation may be similar, but using the narrow savate rotation with heavy polearms and with stable footwork seems tricky.
+Hroarr Savateurs don't *want* stable footwork in the sense you may be implying, but rather dynamic. . But otherwise, yes, it absolutely works and works well. I have done it for years without issue and I am no gift to either discipline! (Loving this series btw)
+Russ Mitchell
Hey Russ!
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this! Just to be clear, are you doing narrow stances with crosscutting and halberds/heavy staves, combined with footwork and in sparring too? What I found is that this mechanics more importantly sets up the whole body for movement, preparing the feet, and shifting the body weight to movement, even before you actually step. This is often combined with double thrusts/strikes in combination, either as feint/attack, parry/attack, attack/parry or broken attack/2nd attack.
Small note about Meyer's footwork. I believe he is in constant movement too, with pretty dynamic footwork, but there is a certain stability there that I think connects to the power and weight of the weapons. Large 360 degree strikes with staves & halberds, and working with the heavy pike requires some solid mechanics and stances.
good The video
can you link the page for the pants please
Unfortunately these were custom tailored to my measurements and requests and the tailor isn't taking any orders. Possibly she can refer to someone else. I can ask her.
Any updates on this series?
There will be later this term. I am just off to Germany to teach, but when I get back and as the regular teaching season with Gothenburg Free Fencers Guild, my club, is rolling again, I will make sure to shoot some new ones.
Awesome! Looking forward to it. I'd be especially interested in techniques used against folks using a sword and shield. I was also wondering if you could explain the reasoning behind the ending position of the lead leg. In everything I've ever practiced, I've been told to point my toes towards the opponent so this is a totally new style for me and I'm having a lot of trouble with balancing.
If you are thinking about how the leading foot twists out to rougly 10-11 o'clock, then it has three reasons: First, it opens up the torso and hips so you can let the weapon fly by your left side easier, extending the right side further forwards as you do so. Second' it also provides a bit of stability compared to forcing it forward. Third, it prepares for a passing step. All of it with nuances depending on the actions of your opponent and your own intentions. Generally speaking though, you should strive to keep the leading foot aimed at the opponent, but that is more for when you actually come into contact with the opponent's body or weapon, or if wish to threaten the opponent. Neither are true for when your weapon flies by your left side.
Awesome! Thank you so much, that makes a lot of sense and I really appreciate the response. The other thing I'm wondering about is the front heavy stance. Is there a specific reason they taught leaning so far forward?
Actually, it is not really front heavy all the time. You keep shifting between leaning back, to centre, to forward-leaning stance. That way you can both move in balance, keep your upper body safe, confuse the opponent concerning your distance and reach, as well as bait him to attack your back.