Lauren's Personal Progress Page

 

 

Next time we'll be in helms....

 

You always seem to find the most flattering pictures of the two of us!  --Kat

 

 

 

Novicius Concepts: The Seven Deadly Virtues, Integrated Fighting Framework

 

 

Class One: Breathing, Stance, Movement

 

The breathing is really helpful to get the class focused and on task... And i've actually been doing our breathing exercises before I start my work day!

 

6/25/08 The more you practice the breathing/centering exercise, and the longer you practice it; the more you will be able to handle stress and the more relaxed and centered you will find yourself overall -- and the more capable you will become at becoming mindless and capable of centering instantly for fighting.  Keep practicing the breathing exercise!  It's meditation/mindfulness!  Max

 

 

Class Two: Zero Stem, Rotation Blocks

 

Class Three: Short-Stem

 

 

Class Four: Long-Stem

 

 

Class Five: Striking Blows

 

I was told more practice is needed.  My gratitude to anyone who volunteers to work with me in the upcoming weeks!

 

I've had to miss a few practices lately due to obscene work schedules... if our free time matches up and doesnt conflict with bar time

I'll grab a second bat and work with you if you want cause I want some more practice myself

-Chris (the bad one of course)

 

Class Six: Baselines, Evade, Legs

 

 

Class Seven: Leg Combo, Inside Angle Change, Unit Maneuvers

 

 

Class Eight: Onside Wraparound, Offside Jam, Uppercut Thrust

 

I missed this class so if we could go over it again in a future class, I would appreciate it.

 

0602 1726 -- OK, regular six step drill start, the third blow, you compass step to place your right foot either besides or behind the opponent's left foot (assuming they are right handed).  Place your arm in a lock, with the elbow in the ribcage, with you forearm positioned such that the sword is pointing forward and level (sort of) to the ground, after you step, do the turn, rotation and a little lean, this should allow the sword to hit the opponent's lower target and the side or rear with the false (back) edge.  Next step, compass the left foot forward, and the right foot back so that you are standing in the opponents sword side, lined up in a fighter's stance, and bring your sword back to hanging guard at the same time as you step, turn and rotate.  You should have the sword and your shoulders more or less in a line with the opponent's face, and close enough that the point of your sword is inches before them.  Then with a slight lean, and no arm movement, thrust it into their face. -- Steve

 

0602 1950 -- My bad, I was trying to do this in one drill, I checked the class, its 3 separate drills.  Yeah, remind me, these are things we have done in other six step drills, but we can isolate on each one independently. -- Steve

 

Owen worked with me today with instruction from Strikar and Ru and I think I have a better understanding of how to do the onside wraparound -- now it's just a matter of practicing with the pell at home and continuing at practices.  Getting better with jams too.

 

6/25/08 Compass-step Deep-wrap-around (aka Zero-pressure) and the Jam (which can also be the Traverse/Offside we worked on) are unbelievably powerful shots that are integrated Offense/Defense/Maneuver that change Range, Zone, and Angle (you should know what this means, and if you don't go to the Novicius Training page) -- Max

 

 

Class Nine: Offside Jam, Zero-Stem Swordblock, Thumb-Turn Wraparound

 

 

Class Ten: Melee Concepts, Melee Drills, and Unit Scenarios

 

 

Class Eleven: Shield Blocks -- Flat Blocks and Corner Blocks

 

I'm noticing that my arm is tired by the end of most practices.  Any exercises I can do at home with shield or in the gym to work on strength?

 

0602 1715 -- small weights, use both hands, practice raising them up from the lock position to do the rotation of the forearms around the elbow fixed into the ribcage, for the corner block.  For the flt block, practice raising the arm from the lock upwards from the elbow 12" - 18". Do them alternately, left up, right down, left up, etc., for both drills.  You might include some stepping, e.g., advance forward in fighter stance, retreat, etc. for a full work out. Start with almost nothing, 1 -2 lbs, and do these for about 5 minutes at a pop.  Essentially you are doing a limited set of "Heavyhands". Check this out on the web or on books, to get the idea, or ask at the gym. 

 

The rotation block is preferable, but not indicated for all situations, as it requires no movement from the lesser muscle groups of the arm and shoulder. But ..... = Steve

 

Will buy weights ASAP.  Correus showed me some additional exercises using small lifting and rotation of the sword which i think will do a lot to help too.  Owen has lent me one of his swords so that I can practice during the week.

 

0609 0945 - Lauren, could you record what Correus gave you as exercises, we, the lanistae, want to formally have a set of recommended exercises for the novicius and legionarius levels- and will have a formal class for the latter level, starting in the fall.  Or dats dah plan. - Steve (Strykar or Stricarius appelatu spatha) 

 

6/25/08 With small dumbells you can also hold them in lock (like you're holding the sword for the original zero-stem drill) and do quick up-downs as if you are lifting the shield for a flat block.  Do this as much as you can until your arm is exhausted -- Max

 

 

Class Twelve: Hanging-Guard Drop-Shot, Hanging-Guard Moulinet

 

I could use some practice with the "jab" we've been doing in the second 6-step combo.  I would also benefit from going over the technique behind the moulinet some more.

 

0602 1721 -- the Jab is not strictly in the syllabus for the Novicius course.  It is done with a more linear pass, as the hip and leg come forward, you extend into a long stem and finish with a small wrist rotation. --Steve

 

6/25/08 -- Do you mean the hanging-guard thrust?  I don't believe we have a "jab" per se in the second combo, but we do have a thrust.  Max

 

 

Novicius 101,102,103: Beginner Basics (101), Continuing Refresh (102), Advanced Practicum (103)

 

Main things I'd like to work on personally are ...

1. More force (hoo-ah!)

2. Commit everything we've been learning to muscle memory

3. Get some basic armor together

 

0602 1723 --- More cowbell. Work on the pell as we discussed at class yesterday, and do it with six step drills, step in and hit, step across and hit, step to the other side and hit, go out and hit.  Even throw in the outermost beginning and end blows, even if you are not close enough to the pell, or make your steps smaller.  Drills are all over the different classes.  And then, make up your own....-- Steve

 

 

More cowbell :) !! I feel pretty good about my onsides now.  Could use more on my offsides, but I can tell when I am doing something wrong and am sure I'll get it down with more practice and doing more exercises at home.  Need to remember to a) lock and b) get myself in a position where i can "explode" the shot before I throw it.  Can't stress enough how much slow work and practicing with the more experienced fighters has helped me this week.

 

0609 0945 - It was really good to see you whaling on Owen, yes that feedback is good, we need to have you continue, and wear some armor.  When Cunian (or kat) aren't using it..... - Steve

 

With Max's gentle urging, I've practiced my off-sides a lot this week and finally think i'm getting the hang of it.  Thank you virtuous lean.  I need to continue to work on aim.

 

L,  I went through my armour trying to figure out how to make a new set of leg armour for myself, and I found my backup elbow I bought 5 years ago. I got them to eventually replace my elbows... But then I switched over to Leather Bazubands for my arms. Anyhow, These things would make perfect knee protection for you. Eldrid or Aethelgar can help you build matching cuisses. I'll show them to you sometime.  -Jurgen    

 

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

 

 

I'll be happy when I can get in armour soon!  Where is the best place/who is the best person to talk to about leather armour?  I'd like to make leather cuisses to go with the knees Jurgen kindly gave me.  Would like something similar for my arms too.  Christian "Bad Chris" Hershey is helping with lamalar (sp?) for my torso and Sir Guy mentioned something about a helm that may fit me.  Will start looking for hockey pads with help from Kat this week.

 

I'm a huge fan of leather, but I would recommend something other than leather for cuisses. I built a pair of leather cuisses for my legs, and over time, they stretched and just had to be rebuilt. Looking over the others, I think Corey deserves the award for the coolest/most functional cuisses. Monday evenings, Sir Eldrid is helping people out by building them plastic cuisses that are pretty nice. -Jurgen

 

Jurgen, thanks for help with armour ideas!

 

Still need:

Arm armour

Kidney belt (unless Bad Chris' idea works)

Gorget

Sword - I'm missing sword-making day today, so if anyone wants to help later I would appreciate it.  Can wait until after the Pennsic-rush.

 

 

I hope I'll have full armour in the next couple of weeks so I see if I can apply everything without "flailing."

 

06/25/08 The best source to discuss armor sufficient for women in Atlantia is Mistress Cunian (who is also very good at leather-work).  She can point you also to her website where you can discuss ideas with a large group of fighting women.  I would also recommend that you might want to check-out the Armour Archive (www.armourarchive.com) where you can post questions to the classified list if you want to buy something, troll through all the other forum or post questions on them.  I'm about to beef-up the list of merchants on the armour section of the Wiki.  Also, Sir Tascius (the Roman guy who shows-up at our practices) is very good at making armour and does leather stuff, and Sir Eldrid is an excellent armourer (mostly metal) -- Max.