Sword Slash Saturday: The three fundamentals of what a sword fight involves
In this SSS I will explain each of the three fundamental concepts that make up sword fighting (this applies to all types of sword fights not just Longswords), what they are, how they're used, and examples. These fundamentals are distance, timing, and tempo.
These fundamental concepts are used to describe how to execute moves and how to strategize against your opponent.
Distance
Distance is self explanatory when it comes to the definition, but let’s use it in an example. Range distance is when you step forward and extend your sword out and a couple inches from the tip rests on your opponents shoulder. However the problem with this range is if you and your opponent are both within a single strike range you both could lop through each other’s head off. Which is an uncomfortable distance. The typical distance for longsword is a two to three step distance where the ends are just able to cross and touch each other to make an X. You or your opponent have to take a couple of steps to strike but depending on your reaction ability can defend your/opponents self. The tough part is keeping track of distance as you and your opponent move around each other. Sometimes your opponent can move in or back so you have to keep a comfortable distance so you don’t get hit but you are still able to hit back
Time
Time is also self explanatory, but in the context of sword fighting, directly relates to both distance and tempo. Increasing distance between you and the opponent will increase the time it takes to attack or react. Closing in the distance will decrease the time you have to react or attack your opponent, which can be a dangerous position especially if you are slow. Practicing to reduce your timing will put you at a greater advantage against your opponent. Just think of it as trying to react to a bullet versus trying to react to idk a book being thrown. Speed is a key skill to have in sword fighting. Distance and Timing are the basic needs for learning sword fighting and nailing down these parts will make you a better sword fighter
Tempo
Tempo is a bit tricky. Tempo is the the feel of how the fight goes. Tempo describes how you and your opponent react back and forth from each other. Tempo is described by attacks, defends, and counter attacks. For example, I can do a basic cut attack. If I hit my opponent and end them, the tempo is one attack. If I do a basic cut and my opponent blocks with a guard, the tempo is two: an attack and defend. If my cut is blocked and I do a triangle cut to push the sword out of the way and cut at my opponent the tempo is three: attack, defend, counter attack. There are several combinations and tempos so it’s like so on and so forth, but most tempo numbers are at the highest of 3. Understanding tempo is a way to figure out how to react to your opponent. If you see them react to a fake cut, then it’s likely they’ll defend creating a two tempo. So keeping that in mind, you can have a way to land a hit without creating a two tempo like cutting from the side or increasing your speed to prevent reaction (reducing tempo to one attack).
And that concludes the fundamentals of sword fighting. Happy sword slash Saturday!