I came cause my moms ex boyfriend left a cheap sword at our house, it’s not sharp and it’s kinda bent, but it’s pretty cool and I usually play with it to relieve stress. I came because I was sick of just mindless tosses and dances and decided why not do something productive
thank you for the videos. I'm in the U.S. and around where I'm at there are no schools or clubs for this, but it's something I have always wanted to learn.
Clear. Direct. Simple. Something that someone who knows nothing about this art can start with to get the right muscles trained to do the right thing. I can't imagine a more useful video on this subject. Outstanding job. Thank you.
My honor got gravely insulted the other day, so I wonder, how does one go about challenging people to a duel these days? Are there any formalities one has to consider? Is it even leagal to fight a duel, possibly resulting in the death of one of the participants? Both parties would agree to the terms of the duel, of course. Swords are not as common as they used to be. Thank you.
RottenRroses I'm sincerely not sure if that's just sarcasm or if you need to work on those temperament issues. I doubt nothing from internet nowadays...
Well first, I'd imagine in our litigious society today, you'd want to get the insulting party to sign a release so they can't sue you in the event they are permanently disabled, debilitated, disfigured, maimed, etc. and manage to survive the duel(one good reason to use swords and not single-shot dueling pistols that I can think of). Then, if they agree and sign, you'd want to mark the occasion with a ceremonial slap to the face with your riding gloves, spit on his shoes, insult his mother, or whathave you. I would also set the date of said duel, specified in the paperwork at least a month from the current date to give the attorneys general of the states, provinces, territories, etc. time to respond to your letter informing him of your intentions, with accompanying copies of your signed affidavits of release and waver.(Don't forget to have the release nnotarized!) It sometimes helps to address the attorney general(or cheif law enforcement agent in your district) by his or her first name and explain that your honor can only be satisfied by the letting of blood. This will likely accomplish one of three things:1) He will understand completely and will make known to you any further provisions you must meet to insure the public safety and release him from any liability. 2) He will send sheriffs deputies to bring you in so that a mental evaluation can be done on you for your own good. Or 3) He will spend most of the day wondering what "honour" is, and failing to find mention of the word anywhere in his collection of law books, he completely ignore your letter and either throw it away or pass it on to homeland security, fbi, mi 6, etc. and you won't know which until you attempt to board an airline. Hope that helps. : )
When I was studying blacksmithing, my instructor told us to do this with the larges hammer we could, but down at our sides and with both hands. He also told us to rotate back and forth to work our collateral tendons so as to give more control over the direction of the hammer. I find it interesting that there's a crossover here. By the way, if you get yourself a 5lb sledge (mostly used with a pritchel to place nail holes in shoes) and do this, you'll be surprised at how light your swords feel in hand.
Been needing this. Have a growing collection of Katana's, Wakizashi's, (both training and stainless steel) and few daggers + 4-5 finger pocketknives laying around (excluding num-chuks. Hit myself too many times.) Big help on how I'm supposed to swing half of these beasts
You mention the sabre grip and the hammer grip, could you possibly make a video about the so called "handshake" grip? I've read quite a few differing and conflicting things about it and I'd like to hear your opinion.
Kisk79 handshake grip is similar to the way you hold your phone on one hand when using it. Or, as the name implies, grip the way you grip other's hand when handshaking
Thanks for that, Matt. It's just what many people like myself need since there are no schools close enough to enable regular training. The only alternatives would be intensive private lessons with someone like yourself or some good video tuition to school us in the basics. Love to see more of these and even a comprehensive DVD for sale if you had the time and the will.
I really appreciate this video. Having one hour single trip to the fencing school and me being focused on one-handed fencing. This gives my ridonkilously heavy french cavalry sabre replica a proper purpose too. Thanks!
I found this video agajn in on my youtubepage... I just want to say thankyou for this drill and the other solotraining videos that followed it. I don't have acces to a hemaclubb but these videos have helped me to at least get a basic grip on historical fencing an that have been very helpful for me when I have had the oppurtunitie to attend hemaseminars. Please do more off these and thanks again
Thank you ;) I reaanact medieval knight for few years, I was even fighting on tournaments but last time I sit in home because of exams and I was wondering how can I keep forearm in good shape.... so it helped me a lot! :) I might use it on castle to train some of novice guys ;)
Strange.. I was just thinking of this.. how to learn to do solo training. If there are solo training dvds on this, I'd buy them. I'll be on the lookout for more of your solo videos. Thanks!
Well... it's not really about weight (as that remains constant), but high reps and speed. So the muscles will not necessarily get very big, but they will get strong and tight. Very few other sports of activities use the forearms in this way.
KomatikSRK Similar, but the sword having more inertia and having to move it with force in more directions, it tends to be a much harder workout for the forearms than tennis.
well met. i just purchased my first sword. 1845 infantry officer... im adding forearm training at the gym and am getting out my old juggling clubs to strengthen my arms. this is just what I was looking for! many thanks
I think a large hammer of similar (or more) weight would allow indoor practice without smashing the furniture if space is limited, while still working the same muscles..
Great video much appreciated. I used to use the slats of wood that were left over from our renovation. The neighbors already think I'm nutty so whatever. It helps to have a solo routine and a bit of advice. TY.
I like to hang a string from my ceiling with a knot or something light tied to the end, and you just bop it around with a stick. Not really swinging hard, just bopping. You can tie heavier weights if you want it to go faster. I have found a pvc pipe with caps on the ends a great sword substitute too. You can fill it with sand or stone and mix in sections of stuffing like foam or cloth to disperse weight differently.
Another good exercise (this is something I'm doing right now actually) is just to hold your sword/whatever-long-heavy-object horizontally with an outstretched arm, preferably still in its scabbard if you're doing this with a sword. I do this quite a lot when sitting at the computer or doing other stationary tasks and it develops the strength in your sword arm quite dramatically.
This was very useful and practical, I liked your explanation, and it helps me a lot, as it points a place to start, specially to condition one´s muscles for it.
Working on building a modern version of one handed sword style, as well as single hand sword and shield. Specifically upgrading to fighting katana wielding opponents or opponents with bats and such.
its strange how you just happen to make a video about this when just yesterday i found some very sturdy foam swords at walmart and decided it was time to start teaching my kid. i started him on the exact thing your talking bout here, its actually quite fun running him around the backyard blocking and parrying his attacks :)
I came back to this looking to advise some training to someone who typically does rapier but wants to improve other facets of their swordplay. I was in the office and trying to watch this with the captions and no audio. Oh my goodness, my sides. IT'S HILARIOUS.
That's a great video, I'm waiting for more on one handed swords. I'm particularly interested with viking combat. Unfortunatelly, there's little written about it. I'm certainly going to do more waggling with my axe.
You may talk about this in a future video, but it's also important to work on strengthening the muscles in and around the shoulder (e.g. rotator cuff), at least partially because these are very easy muscles to injure otherwise, but it will also give you greater control and endurance.
Thanks for this..I'm one of those that can not get to a club to train. I used to chop firewood and that gave me alot of strength in the shoulders and forearms..but sadly I had to move to a city (job related) and lost all of that strength...this will help. Thanks again.
I'm here because I bought a Cane Sword for self defense. I'm doing the motions just fine. I keep the curved part of the cane grip facing outward so it don't bump my wrist. It's good exercise too. I feel the burn and my hand smells like leather and grease (like a home depot). lol
closer to a male /female gymnastic build except they still got the chest.. point all the muscles have a point to them "balanced"... lots of good info good job
Could you do a video about warfare in medieval south-east asia, if you can, it just seems odd that the don't have a protective armor, shield and mostly used short ranged weapons like one handed sword/ dagger correct me if I'm wrong, must I say I'm embarrassed to ask this because I'm from south east asia yet I don't these things, blame my high school history teachers for never getting into details like this.
For a long time I have been wanting to learn/train in sword fighting. I recently (Christmas last year) got training swords and was very eager to start training, but when I thought about what I'd do I drew a blank. So I play around with them every so often but never really train with them. I also don't work out (like ever). This video has sparked my interest and drive to watch more as well as getting me on the right path. I didn't even know solo training was a thing. So now I'm going to watch as many of your videos as I can, learn new techniques, and maybe in the process get a bit more badass. Thanks for the starting tip. I'm going to keep up with your videos.
Love your videos! Can you do one where you demonstrate all of the sabre numbered cuts and related info? I have a long-sword and am learning on my own time but I am interested in adapting sabre techniques as well. Thanks!
I am complete noob at fencing, did this with a Condor naval cutlass ( cant afford a proper sword just yet), and after 30 sec was dead.. But i will be keep doing this as often as i can every day from now on. Feel the burn ;) Thank you for a awesome channel Matt.
Haven t found a place to learn in my location, and tried to follow the three training videos I've found on the channel, unfortunately I've been practicing with a display set of katanas, mostly I am just trying to get the wrist strength and see if I can maintain a routine. I didn't think that it would be as hard as it is to maintain. Would love to move to longsword or rapier, but if given the opportunity to learn, I'd rather have enough strength to do proper practice. Thank you for posting this, and I hope you would continue with this series. (And you're right, bringing back the weapon with the same speed and bringing it out is difficult, definitely feel a bit of a burn doing this for prolonged periods of time).
As a guy that once tried SCA fighting and never got beyond beginner stage, thanks for this simple basic exercise. I think a main reason I never got beyond dabbling was because I was forever too stubborn and impatient to mind the basics. I'm getting back into the SCA after years away and if I get into any of the fighting it will likely be the fencing or the "cut and thrust" style that looks a lot like the HEMA style from my novice perspective. So this will be very welcome!
If you want to fight in full armored combat with steel weapons, you can look at the Adrian Empire. We have rapier and cut and thrust like the SCA, with slightly different rules. Also our armored combat, we use steel stage swords like BKS, Fabri Armorum, and Hanwei! It's about as recognized as the SCA and there are chapters all across the USA and Canada.
Ultimately if you want to do HEMA, find a HEMA school. The SCA is not bad, but my experience is they don't necessarily care about authenticity in their techniques (depending on location etc. etc.).
Can you show us more attack angles ( we got 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7, so missing at least 5 and 6). Parries would be great as well ( the only routines I've actually practiced are parries with their accompanying step backs. Counter strikes off parries would probably be next. And then we could probably get specific instructions for some more unique moves based on fighting style. Yes, I am that guy who will do these at home and in the park.
If you don't have a sword or lack room enough or just wanna train hard, maybe handles of dumbbells, used unloaded and at the right point of balance, could be really useful, especially for twisting movements.
My god. I've always had massive forearms next to my bacon strip biceps and finally I've found it actually a GOOD thing. Thank you Matt, you've made my day!
After getting the single heaviest saber in my collection (surprise surprise, a cold steel light cavalry saber) once called the "wrist breaker" I realized how badly I needed to start strengh training my forearms. I started with a 3lb sledge and now I'm up to 16lbs.
One of these days i need to get a dedicated training room as every time i get the random urge to practice a certain technique i realize it's either night time or the weather is entirely too awful for me to bother.
One should remember that doing this will make your forearms hurt, so prepare to self massage your forearm muscles regularly. I've found that really digging your thumb into the hurting bit and holding helps a lot.
Incidentally, I have an old bokken that's been lying around for several years. It's light (and I doubt its authenticity) but it should be good enough to start with as I save for an actual sword.
Hi, Love your videos, was wondering if you could do more saber solo training advice? Also if at all possible some tips when fighting against opponents who are using two swords or a sword and shield. Any resources you could provide would be much appreciated.
The high ceilings thing really does matter. One of the most shameful moments of my adult life. I got a new hanwei practical 37-inch rapier, was doing what I thought were a few safe little exercises with it, smacked a light on the ceiling and it shattered everywhere. I'm normally a really careful person, but getting a sword in your hands...you want to swing it.
Ok, I'm in. All I've got is a Starfire 24" Light Sword, so called. 24" blade, 30" overall length, 2.25 lbs. I bought it probably 20 years ago and it sat unused since, but I found it and now I'm gonna use it :) Not a particularly great sword, but good enough to get started on this training. I'm looking forward to this way more than my daily weight training. And even though my weight routine includes forearm exercises, apparently this "wiggle" exercise must use the forearms in a bit of a different way, because they get fatigued quickly. "They" because when one arm gets tired I switch to the other arm. I may not do the more advance sword training with my left arm, but I can at least do these basic strengthening exercises on both arms! Gotta resist the temptation to skip ahead to the other training videos until I've done this one for at least two weeks :)
It obviously won't develop any skills specific to swordsmanship, but a sledgehammer is a great tool for training those muscle groups. Plenty of videos up on how to use one for that purpose.
Hey Matt, I have a question about turning your back towards your opponent/spinning attacks. Everybody I know says that it is a stupid idea, especially in a sword fight. For unarmed combat I disagree with the notion that you should never do it, pointing towards some MMA fights were spinning kicks/backfists are use to great effect. Now I was flipping through "De arte athletica I" from Paul Hector Mair and on several pages one can see combatants turning their back towards their opponents for an attack. I only have the pictures as a reference point because my latin is not good enough to translate the text, so I was wondering if their is a point in which a spinning attack or a turned back is not an immediate death sentence in a sword fight.
I always hear stuff in RPG's and movies about the local blacksmith always being the first pick when quickly grabbing men to fight off attackers, while I don't doubt he would make for a strong fighter, would his line of work be useful in improving the muscles needed for combat?
Question for anyone with experience: I've just started practicing with a sword I bought quite a few years ago (when I had money for such things). The sword I am practicing with is an arming sword (medieval style single handed sword) with a circular pommel. Every time I do the cut forward (and when I do a moulinette, as described in Matt's other training video), the pommel digs into the "bottom" (assuming the thumb is top) of my hand, right where the palm and my wrist meet. Is this a common issue, and if so, is there anything I can do differently to avoid it? I guess if I continue this long enough, I'll build up calluses there, but it doesn't seem right that that particular part of my hand would be taking more abuse than the rest of my hand.
its fairly common, and nothing you have to worry about. Because the pommel is round is that even if that happens it's not a problem. At first you may think its in the way, but you'll learn that it won't matter alot. However if it is annoying, try angling your hand outwards more, where your thumb your facing further out from your body, not inwards. This should fix the problem, but like I said, won't be a problem. Only time this will be a problem is if you're using a Viking sword (Where the pommel is like a upside hill) or a Tulwar (where the pommel is a flat disk that kinda rubs against your entire bottom part of the hand). These weapons pretty much stops you from doing a simple forwards strike, and instead encourages you to do strike where the sword is more angled with your arm (roughly a 120 degree with the sword and your arm) rather than the sword striking out in a flat line with your arm.
The opening of this made me think of a term coined around my sword school - "Sword Ass." As much as you pull from your stance and the ground, your lower body and particularly your glutes tone up like nobody's business the better you get at swordsmanship. When we've done practice blows, it always comes with a recovery motion - taking the force of the impact and turning it round to get back to normal position. It seems like you're not doing a particular recovery with your wrist or fingers in the exercise there - just using your arm muscles to stop the blade's momentum and then pull it back to position. Doesn't that carry a risk of injury, pulled tendons and the like?
Anybody should start light and build up, but yes it is important to be able to change direction with your sword and that requires your forearm muscles. If you only ever move the sword circularly then you can't change direction quickly, which is an important thing.
I’m here cause I literally found a sword in an abandoned house and decided to keep it
Is it any good ? Also it's been a year
You are the chosen one
Dead from a curse or...?
I came cause my moms ex boyfriend left a cheap sword at our house, it’s not sharp and it’s kinda bent, but it’s pretty cool and I usually play with it to relieve stress. I came because I was sick of just mindless tosses and dances and decided why not do something productive
You are the main character
I have been exercising my forearm since I was 13, I am ready!
Marc Ritz ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
+Marc Ritz *is still 13*
I've been exercising my fore skin since I was 13, I am ready!
😏
on wat website do u take your forearm trainijg
thank you for the videos. I'm in the U.S. and around where I'm at there are no schools or clubs for this, but it's something I have always wanted to learn.
gus green yay! Fellow lonely 😅
check your local larps or foam combat groups such as belegarth or dagohir
good place to start if theres no schools near
I too am known to every so often sit on the couch and waggle my sword.
What?
May I join please.
............okay..............sounds fun.
Watching some cute anime or something-
Doesn't have to be a sword... Finally, a few of them wall hangers will be of some use!
I've had a crappy wallhanger almost fall apart from the sheer acceleration. Be careful with that, you don't want stainless steel blades flying around.
Clear. Direct. Simple. Something that someone who knows nothing about this art can start with to get the right muscles trained to do the right thing. I can't imagine a more useful video on this subject. Outstanding job. Thank you.
My honor got gravely insulted the other day, so I wonder, how does one go about challenging people to a duel these days? Are there any formalities one has to consider? Is it even leagal to fight a duel, possibly resulting in the death of one of the participants? Both parties would agree to the terms of the duel, of course. Swords are not as common as they used to be. Thank you.
Duelling is illegal in most developed countries, so you should discuss this with your lawyer.
RottenRroses I'm sincerely not sure if that's just sarcasm or if you need to work on those temperament issues. I doubt nothing from internet nowadays...
Gabriel Oliveira The Joke --->
Your head --->
Parks Parks Oh the irony...
Well first, I'd imagine in our litigious society today, you'd want to get the insulting party to sign a release so they can't sue you in the event they are permanently disabled, debilitated, disfigured, maimed, etc. and manage to survive the duel(one good reason to use swords and not single-shot dueling pistols that I can think of). Then, if they agree and sign, you'd want to mark the occasion with a ceremonial slap to the face with your riding gloves, spit on his shoes, insult his mother, or whathave you. I would also set the date of said duel, specified in the paperwork at least a month from the current date to give the attorneys general of the states, provinces, territories, etc. time to respond to your letter informing him of your intentions, with accompanying copies of your signed affidavits of release and waver.(Don't forget to have the release nnotarized!) It sometimes helps to address the attorney general(or cheif law enforcement agent in your district) by his or her first name and explain that your honor can only be satisfied by the letting of blood. This will likely accomplish one of three things:1) He will understand completely and will make known to you any further provisions you must meet to insure the public safety and release him from any liability. 2) He will send sheriffs deputies to bring you in so that a mental evaluation can be done on you for your own good. Or 3) He will spend most of the day wondering what "honour" is, and failing to find mention of the word anywhere in his collection of law books, he completely ignore your letter and either throw it away or pass it on to homeland security, fbi, mi 6, etc. and you won't know which until you attempt to board an airline. Hope that helps. : )
When I was studying blacksmithing, my instructor told us to do this with the larges hammer we could, but down at our sides and with both hands. He also told us to rotate back and forth to work our collateral tendons so as to give more control over the direction of the hammer. I find it interesting that there's a crossover here. By the way, if you get yourself a 5lb sledge (mostly used with a pritchel to place nail holes in shoes) and do this, you'll be surprised at how light your swords feel in hand.
I'll be using a machete, bc i'm mexican... and because i don't have money for a sword.
Ulises. I am with you with that
Probably stole that too.
An appropriately sized and weighted stick serves nicely for solo training too, if money is a problem.
Well, that'll do
Still better than me. I use a broom stick.
Been needing this. Have a growing collection of Katana's, Wakizashi's, (both training and stainless steel) and few daggers + 4-5 finger pocketknives laying around (excluding num-chuks. Hit myself too many times.)
Big help on how I'm supposed to swing half of these beasts
so agree with this - swordsmen need bloody great forearms! thanks for these helpful vids
Finally a channel that provides very interesting knowledge!
Every time i watch one of your videos i learn something new.
Thank you very much.
You mention the sabre grip and the hammer grip, could you possibly make a video about the so called "handshake" grip? I've read quite a few differing and conflicting things about it and I'd like to hear your opinion.
Kisk79 handshake grip is similar to the way you hold your phone on one hand when using it. Or, as the name implies, grip the way you grip other's hand when handshaking
I just get them with the pointy end
Thanks for that, Matt. It's just what many people like myself need since there are no schools close enough to enable regular training. The only alternatives would be intensive private lessons with someone like yourself or some good video tuition to school us in the basics. Love to see more of these and even a comprehensive DVD for sale if you had the time and the will.
thank you for making this, I've just gotten my first sword and I can't join a club yet, but I want to start training
That's the saddest cactus I've ever seen....
best comment so far =)
@King of the Chair swords
And the plants look shabby too
Lol
They've been subject to bit of stray swordsmanship I suspect
I really appreciate this video. Having one hour single trip to the fencing school and me being focused on one-handed fencing. This gives my ridonkilously heavy french cavalry sabre replica a proper purpose too. Thanks!
Im just here so i can get better at hitting my friends with a foam sword.
lol same
@@aozzya1563 same
Same but I’m also self taught with a one handed sword
Same
Almost same, we use steel/bronze ones... or wood if we're half naked
Thank you Schola. I've been looking for advice like this since there isn't a group where I'm located.
I found this video agajn in on my youtubepage... I just want to say thankyou for this drill and the other solotraining videos that followed it. I don't have acces to a hemaclubb but these videos have helped me to at least get a basic grip on historical fencing an that have been very helpful for me when I have had the oppurtunitie to attend hemaseminars. Please do more off these and thanks again
Thank you ;) I reaanact medieval knight for few years, I was even fighting on tournaments but last time I sit in home because of exams and I was wondering how can I keep forearm in good shape.... so it helped me a lot! :) I might use it on castle to train some of novice guys ;)
Thank you! Excellent! Please keep them coming!
Thank you for these wonderful lessons kind sir
Thanks for this. Whether you see this or not, you now have another subscriber. I am looking forward to seeing more swordsmanship content.
This explains why people I know use/used swords wave things around like that so much.
Great advise. Video's are very informative and fun.
Top marks.
Strange.. I was just thinking of this.. how to learn to do solo training. If there are solo training dvds on this, I'd buy them. I'll be on the lookout for more of your solo videos. Thanks!
Thanks for the lesson! More of these kinds of videos please!!!!!
Well... it's not really about weight (as that remains constant), but high reps and speed. So the muscles will not necessarily get very big, but they will get strong and tight. Very few other sports of activities use the forearms in this way.
scholagladiatoria Tennis or badminton, perhaps?
KomatikSRK Similar, but the sword having more inertia and having to move it with force in more directions, it tends to be a much harder workout for the forearms than tennis.
well met. i just purchased my first sword. 1845 infantry officer... im adding forearm training at the gym and am getting out my old juggling clubs to strengthen my arms. this is just what I was looking for! many thanks
I think a large hammer of similar (or more) weight would allow indoor practice without smashing the furniture if space is limited, while still working the same muscles..
I hope you will do more of these solo training advice vids. They help a lot.
And forearms look good! xD
Great video much appreciated. I used to use the slats of wood that were left over from our renovation. The neighbors already think I'm nutty so whatever. It helps to have a solo routine and a bit of advice. TY.
I like to hang a string from my ceiling with a knot or something light tied to the end, and you just bop it around with a stick. Not really swinging hard, just bopping. You can tie heavier weights if you want it to go faster. I have found a pvc pipe with caps on the ends a great sword substitute too. You can fill it with sand or stone and mix in sections of stuffing like foam or cloth to disperse weight differently.
Another good exercise (this is something I'm doing right now actually) is just to hold your sword/whatever-long-heavy-object horizontally with an outstretched arm, preferably still in its scabbard if you're doing this with a sword. I do this quite a lot when sitting at the computer or doing other stationary tasks and it develops the strength in your sword arm quite dramatically.
omg this was so helpful and easy. all the other videos ive watched just arent what i was look for but this was! thank you sooooo much :)
This was very useful and practical, I liked your explanation, and it helps me a lot, as it points a place to start, specially to condition one´s muscles for it.
Working on building a modern version of one handed sword style, as well as single hand sword and shield. Specifically upgrading to fighting katana wielding opponents or opponents with bats and such.
I need more arming sword techniques and drills! (I would love to start training with swords, but I'm writing a story and need the information.)
its strange how you just happen to make a video about this when just yesterday i found some very sturdy foam swords at walmart and decided it was time to start teaching my kid. i started him on the exact thing your talking bout here, its actually quite fun running him around the backyard blocking and parrying his attacks :)
I came back to this looking to advise some training to someone who typically does rapier but wants to improve other facets of their swordplay. I was in the office and trying to watch this with the captions and no audio.
Oh my goodness, my sides. IT'S HILARIOUS.
Thanks for the advice, let’s try it out!
That's a great video, I'm waiting for more on one handed swords. I'm particularly interested with viking combat. Unfortunatelly, there's little written about it. I'm certainly going to do more waggling with my axe.
You may talk about this in a future video, but it's also important to work on strengthening the muscles in and around the shoulder (e.g. rotator cuff), at least partially because these are very easy muscles to injure otherwise, but it will also give you greater control and endurance.
Thanks for this..I'm one of those that can not get to a club to train. I used to chop firewood and that gave me alot of strength in the shoulders and forearms..but sadly I had to move to a city (job related) and lost all of that strength...this will help. Thanks again.
Very informative as always. Thank you!
I'm here because I bought a Cane Sword for self defense. I'm doing the motions just fine. I keep the curved part of the cane grip facing outward so it don't bump my wrist. It's good exercise too. I feel the burn and my hand smells like leather and grease (like a home depot). lol
Thanx for a good lesson:)
closer to a male /female gymnastic build except they still got the chest.. point all the muscles have a point to them "balanced"... lots of good info good job
thank you sir
its was great learning video
Could you do a video about warfare in medieval south-east asia, if you can, it just seems odd that the don't have a protective armor, shield and mostly used short ranged weapons like one handed sword/ dagger correct me if I'm wrong, must I say I'm embarrassed to ask this because I'm from south east asia yet I don't these things, blame my high school history teachers for never getting into details like this.
For a long time I have been wanting to learn/train in sword fighting. I recently (Christmas last year) got training swords and was very eager to start training, but when I thought about what I'd do I drew a blank. So I play around with them every so often but never really train with them. I also don't work out (like ever). This video has sparked my interest and drive to watch more as well as getting me on the right path. I didn't even know solo training was a thing. So now I'm going to watch as many of your videos as I can, learn new techniques, and maybe in the process get a bit more badass. Thanks for the starting tip. I'm going to keep up with your videos.
Just recently interested in this. If you're keeping track. Thanks 👍😊
Love your videos! Can you do one where you demonstrate all of the sabre numbered cuts and related info? I have a long-sword and am learning on my own time but I am interested in adapting sabre techniques as well. Thanks!
I am complete noob at fencing, did this with a Condor naval cutlass ( cant afford a proper sword just yet), and after 30 sec was dead.. But i will be keep doing this as often as i can every day from now on. Feel the burn ;)
Thank you for a awesome channel Matt.
Muscles build strength during rest, not the workout itself. 48-72 hours between workouts for a muscle group will maximize your gains.
Haven t found a place to learn in my location, and tried to follow the three training videos I've found on the channel, unfortunately I've been practicing with a display set of katanas, mostly I am just trying to get the wrist strength and see if I can maintain a routine. I didn't think that it would be as hard as it is to maintain. Would love to move to longsword or rapier, but if given the opportunity to learn, I'd rather have enough strength to do proper practice. Thank you for posting this, and I hope you would continue with this series. (And you're right, bringing back the weapon with the same speed and bringing it out is difficult, definitely feel a bit of a burn doing this for prolonged periods of time).
As a guy that once tried SCA fighting and never got beyond beginner stage, thanks for this simple basic exercise. I think a main reason I never got beyond dabbling was because I was forever too stubborn and impatient to mind the basics. I'm getting back into the SCA after years away and if I get into any of the fighting it will likely be the fencing or the "cut and thrust" style that looks a lot like the HEMA style from my novice perspective. So this will be very welcome!
If you want to fight in full armored combat with steel weapons, you can look at the Adrian Empire. We have rapier and cut and thrust like the SCA, with slightly different rules. Also our armored combat, we use steel stage swords like BKS, Fabri Armorum, and Hanwei! It's about as recognized as the SCA and there are chapters all across the USA and Canada.
Ultimately if you want to do HEMA, find a HEMA school. The SCA is not bad, but my experience is they don't necessarily care about authenticity in their techniques (depending on location etc. etc.).
This guy is the man lol
Can you made more solo training advice for one handed swords?
Can you show us more attack angles ( we got 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7, so missing at least 5 and 6). Parries would be great as well ( the only routines I've actually practiced are parries with their accompanying step backs. Counter strikes off parries would probably be next. And then we could probably get specific instructions for some more unique moves based on fighting style.
Yes, I am that guy who will do these at home and in the park.
great videos! this is very helpful thank you for the videos on youtube!
If you don't have a sword or lack room enough or just wanna train hard, maybe handles of dumbbells, used unloaded and at the right point of balance, could be really useful, especially for twisting movements.
Im starting my own club 😆 this video is very informative, thank you
My god. I've always had massive forearms next to my bacon strip biceps and finally I've found it actually a GOOD thing. Thank you Matt, you've made my day!
Great vid! Thank you!
Do you have to switch arms if you want to get both arms into shape, though it wouldn't really be necessary to?
After getting the single heaviest saber in my collection (surprise surprise, a cold steel light cavalry saber) once called the "wrist breaker" I realized how badly I needed to start strengh training my forearms. I started with a 3lb sledge and now I'm up to 16lbs.
Holy fuck! That is one badass sword man.
just wanting to learn to use a shortsword, specifically a kopis or xiphos, with staff for a character
One of these days i need to get a dedicated training room as every time i get the random urge to practice a certain technique i realize it's either night time or the weather is entirely too awful for me to bother.
One should remember that doing this will make your forearms hurt, so prepare to self massage your forearm muscles regularly. I've found that really digging your thumb into the hurting bit and holding helps a lot.
Yeah, the pressure seems to help release muscles that are kinda stuck. I've found the trick effective.
Incidentally, I have an old bokken that's been lying around for several years. It's light (and I doubt its authenticity) but it should be good enough to start with as I save for an actual sword.
A bokken is perfect for this to start with.
Wiggling the sword while talking on the phone , neighbours looking through the window thinking ,i will not disturb him for petty things.
2:26 What, you mean like this?
static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/2806/2182492-150px_cloud_strife_field_model.jpg
Hang a washer on a string for a small target. Practice with a slightly heavier sword shaped object like a piece of rebar.
Hi, Love your videos, was wondering if you could do more saber solo training advice? Also if at all possible some tips when fighting against opponents who are using two swords or a sword and shield. Any resources you could provide would be much appreciated.
You just go straight into it nice
"Most people tend to not have very strong forearms"
Well, I play guitar so I'm not really worried about that part at least
Sams here
Then he wasn't referring to you, bud.
La Nausée This comment was made several weeks ago, and I have since found out that my forearm strength was not adequate. It certainly is now, though
wow, thanx!
Hope to see more of it!
The high ceilings thing really does matter. One of the most shameful moments of my adult life. I got a new hanwei practical 37-inch rapier, was doing what I thought were a few safe little exercises with it, smacked a light on the ceiling and it shattered everywhere. I'm normally a really careful person, but getting a sword in your hands...you want to swing it.
I think everybody who trains with swords has hit either their light or their ceiling at some time! :-)
Maybe not the best idea to do the repeated "waggly" with a nice antique, unless you want to wear out the shagreen on the grip?
Ok, I'm in. All I've got is a Starfire 24" Light Sword, so called. 24" blade, 30" overall length, 2.25 lbs. I bought it probably 20 years ago and it sat unused since, but I found it and now I'm gonna use it :) Not a particularly great sword, but good enough to get started on this training.
I'm looking forward to this way more than my daily weight training. And even though my weight routine includes forearm exercises, apparently this "wiggle" exercise must use the forearms in a bit of a different way, because they get fatigued quickly. "They" because when one arm gets tired I switch to the other arm. I may not do the more advance sword training with my left arm, but I can at least do these basic strengthening exercises on both arms!
Gotta resist the temptation to skip ahead to the other training videos until I've done this one for at least two weeks :)
Radial Flexion FTW! (For The Waggle)
Do you have a video like this on two handed swords?
how to get blisters 101, slowly conditioning my pristine medieval fair lady hands
This helps with modern sport fancing too.
It obviously won't develop any skills specific to swordsmanship, but a sledgehammer is a great tool for training those muscle groups. Plenty of videos up on how to use one for that purpose.
I'd train outside my house, like in my backyard or in my front yard. That's more than enough space for anybody training himself in any martial arts.
I made a wooden sword when i was 13 but never thought of learning how to fight with it.
Hey Matt,
I have a question about turning your back towards your opponent/spinning attacks. Everybody I know says that it is a stupid idea, especially in a sword fight. For unarmed combat I disagree with the notion that you should never do it, pointing towards some MMA fights were spinning kicks/backfists are use to great effect.
Now I was flipping through "De arte athletica I" from Paul Hector Mair and on several pages one can see combatants turning their back towards their opponents for an attack. I only have the pictures as a reference point because my latin is not good enough to translate the text, so I was wondering if their is a point in which a spinning attack or a turned back is not an immediate death sentence in a sword fight.
Good training advice: watch these vids while standing at en garde. I do.
thanks for this verry nice video,
could you please post videos of buckler fighting later on???
I always hear stuff in RPG's and movies about the local blacksmith always being the first pick when quickly grabbing men to fight off attackers, while I don't doubt he would make for a strong fighter, would his line of work be useful in improving the muscles needed for combat?
My family has a 2000 year military history dating back to the age of Rome and I thought it would be best I learn the weapons my ancestors used.
Question for anyone with experience: I've just started practicing with a sword I bought quite a few years ago (when I had money for such things). The sword I am practicing with is an arming sword (medieval style single handed sword) with a circular pommel. Every time I do the cut forward (and when I do a moulinette, as described in Matt's other training video), the pommel digs into the "bottom" (assuming the thumb is top) of my hand, right where the palm and my wrist meet. Is this a common issue, and if so, is there anything I can do differently to avoid it? I guess if I continue this long enough, I'll build up calluses there, but it doesn't seem right that that particular part of my hand would be taking more abuse than the rest of my hand.
its fairly common, and nothing you have to worry about. Because the pommel is round is that even if that happens it's not a problem. At first you may think its in the way, but you'll learn that it won't matter alot.
However if it is annoying, try angling your hand outwards more, where your thumb your facing further out from your body, not inwards. This should fix the problem, but like I said, won't be a problem.
Only time this will be a problem is if you're using a Viking sword (Where the pommel is like a upside hill) or a Tulwar (where the pommel is a flat disk that kinda rubs against your entire bottom part of the hand). These weapons pretty much stops you from doing a simple forwards strike, and instead encourages you to do strike where the sword is more angled with your arm (roughly a 120 degree with the sword and your arm) rather than the sword striking out in a flat line with your arm.
You could also just try wearing a glove
The opening of this made me think of a term coined around my sword school - "Sword Ass." As much as you pull from your stance and the ground, your lower body and particularly your glutes tone up like nobody's business the better you get at swordsmanship.
When we've done practice blows, it always comes with a recovery motion - taking the force of the impact and turning it round to get back to normal position. It seems like you're not doing a particular recovery with your wrist or fingers in the exercise there - just using your arm muscles to stop the blade's momentum and then pull it back to position. Doesn't that carry a risk of injury, pulled tendons and the like?
Anybody should start light and build up, but yes it is important to be able to change direction with your sword and that requires your forearm muscles. If you only ever move the sword circularly then you can't change direction quickly, which is an important thing.
like this look forward to the next installment.
I do this in the office with a golf club. Though as Stuart McDermid suggests, I alternate with moulinets.
easy to do while using a hammering for the beginning stuff
I want to do Smallsword fencing and I want to learn how to use a Pulwar
do you ever warm up before you pick up the sword? Anything you can recommend for avoiding injury? Thanks for the videos!