theM.A.dDogge

there is an errrrey similarity in Kenneths likeness and that of Silas....possible long lost cousins???

HA!!!...where did ya dig those up???...look sterling...i aint the only one with a baby face.... and yes dear twins...tis tru....i only get prettier..... ...ok the wife thinks its creepy too...she's making me grow it back.... not sure what everybody means here...but it sounds like everyones sayin....i look better...with half my face covered...?!?! !?!?!

when is Blackbeards???...was i ever invited???

as long as i git the line..."gotta check with errol...?!?!"

damn it man...i'm too far away from anyone to show ya anything.....sourisses are some 4 hours away.....hmmmm anyway......and the wife is lookin at me kinda mean like when i told my 2 year old daughter...here hold this sword for daddy...now defend yourself.....

oi...some of us travel with our own ..."theme music"

cheecky...also play music while moving....you can really find a tempo...helps with fluidity( ithink thats a word)

damn....i'm gittin all excited..... ....wheres my sword.. .....whowanna fight?!?!?! I truly need more "Kicking-Ass" practice time. Perhaps I'll have to see if I can't arrange a bit of practice time withl Mary Diamond...both for Bess and Lilly, really. I would love to be able to 'attack and defend' without looking so stiff and staged. video it....when ya watch it back...it really shows what ya need to do different....we truly are our worst critiques.....unless i am trainin ya...then i am...

Bring it on :) Although, as is usual, Dogge ignores my list of questions for him and just responds to your post.... hmph..... i'm not ignorrin ya....i am in the middle of tellin my 6 month pregnant wife why 2 girls want me to come back to florida for a long weekend...?!?!? i think i am 'bout to git some real sword practice....ooof

though i whole hardily agree with ya on the importance of footework.....i find it far more...well safer to git the newbie....standin still...on the balls of there feet perhaps...but not movin....until after the show profiectcy with the dangerous end first....hitting there target zone....blocking in their target zone.....once ya get the pair of them....with the sewquence agreed upon...then start them on the foot work....i find that if ya do it the other way round...they then dont pay attention to their sharpie!?! because once ya hve em movin...witha sharpie....a whole new world opens up...they have to pay atention to where they are goin...where the other guy is goin...pay attention to where the crowd is....how close they are to each other...how close to the crowd....what comes next in the sequence....they have to be the eyes of the opponent behind them for obstacles....be led by the opponent for obstacles underfoot....breathe...say their lines...remember their lines....what comes next...what was that distraction....sun in my eyes.... ...all the time keeping the sharpie away from the opponents face..... nah....i thnk foote work comes next...first get em hitting their zones first.

Dammit, Dogge ~ why are you so far away? why are YOU all so far away?!?!?

now my shoulder are wide enough i can ...but often bastardize a broad sword technique to facilitate fighting a stout rapier....now historically either the cutlass would smash the rapier in two...or the rapier would so many holes into the guy with the cutlas before he could git within reach....but for our purposes....we can make it happen now Cheecky is learnin a braodsword technique...to go up against the rapier style....'cause her character would not know how to use a swaord.....but would yeild a spoon....or heavey club...iron ladle perhaps...and would still be able to cause considerable damages to foes...as well as defend themselves.... in stage...every style...rapier,broad sword, cut & thrust,long knife,tomahwk,axe,cudgel,spoon...big ass piece of wood....would still use the same points of attack/block...the difference being on how one would weild the object(body placement and footwork) and the delivery....but the actuial points where one that way...one could have a fight 'tween a boarding pike and a cutlass....a hand axe and a butt end of a longgun....fryin pan and a braodsword....and cheecky with her spoon and silkie with her fryin pan and a fire poker could reasonabley defend the common agaisnt a maurading mass of drunkin pyrates with a myriad of weapons..... damn....i'm gittin all excited..... ....wheres my sword.. .....whowanna fight?!?!?!

'course ya just now hit on the crux of the problem.....agree'in on. now many strickly re-enactments have standerdized their moves...look at cival war calvery(american)...they have 3 base moves....so benign....that they no longer look as if they are really fightin one another.... or ...they simply dont allow hand to hand on the feild....period....(which happens to be the most standard at the moment) others...say many jousting troupes....pride themselves with how many bruizes and welts they can take/give..... so...somewhere in the middle is where we should be aiming....beingsafe...without comprimising the "look" of authenticity.....many of the "stage combat" moves are based in reality with older styles of sword play...they are just "opened" up to be more pleasing to the eye for the crowd as well as telegraphng to the oppenent. again think of more an "exibition" than a "competion" problem being....everyone and their brother....(hey my brother does this too).....has a slightly different variation on the same thing....and many places teach you varring styles historical to martial....with their own interpertations..... it all becomes very personal.... there is alot of "acting"...that actually sells the fight....we have a 3 move fight....thats it...3....but takes damn near 10 minutes...lots of grapplin'...knock downing of tents...postureing...chasing...fist fight...curses...and a shot bein fired...but only 3 actual sword moves....and folks say its one of the most realistic they have seen... ??? fights dont have to be long drawn out...though some do....depends on your character...your circumstance...and your intentions.... but thats a nother story.... damn...what was the question again??

now we do have strikes to the hip area...but usually reserve thoes for slashes (misses) and kills.....

if opponent is at rest...giving you a small target...then they would be standing sideways....a strike to their shoulder....would look as if coming at their neck from the front....or from the back...hence back of neck.(also applys to thigh or as you put it knees)....its a visual easier to remember and understand then left or right. we skip the hips....and strike ...a slash really at the top of the head....from the left and from the right ...meaning with your sword in front of your body as well as from behind your body....and blocking or bringing sword up from the left side of your body or from the right.....

simple eights: 1. shoulder (back of neck) 2.shoulder (front of neck) 3. leg (back of thigh) 4. leg (front of thigh) 5. top of head (swinging from right) 6. top of head (swinging from left) 7. thrust (cross body to but) 8. thrust (cross body to tummy) this way every attack/block (shoulder,leg, head , thrust)...is practised from both sides of the body...and can be excuted(because the movemnet will now feel natural) from anywhere within a choreogrphed sequence.... i make our group practise this list...blocks...then attacks.....repeatedly...in this order....so the movments feel natural.....concentrating on the "cues" for each move...and the stopping point of the blade for each movement....once that is sunk in...and you have "muscle memory" with the action....then we move to changing the sequence....head,head,leg head, thrust....fro example...... then once a simple sequence is in place... we then work on the ....engagement.....where will the first srtike come from...are you running towards another? satnding at en guard?....often times the first strike is a "pass"...where your bodies are comming toward each other, and strike blades(contact or near miss)...litterally pass each other....turn...and now bodies at rest may engage each other with proper distance.... then a grapple or lock up....thrown in..... then work on the ending.....run away?....die? truce?....certain "KILL ZONES" are considereed safe..... so...a full blown fight sequence could run..... .....runn to each other....a "high/low" pass....en guard(computing safe disatnce)....shoullder, shoulder, thrust, ....then practise sequence...(shoulder,shoulder,leg,leg,head,head,thrust,thrust)....an extra thrust, thrust....grapple/lock up....disarm.....pull pistol...git shot in belly by the low down sneaky captain..... wait....i think that was the last one Rats...I ....and Sterling did. and crwod goes oooohhhhhh... if everyone works the same "practise"...then it just really a few extra bits thrown in...for a complete fight. 'course i am making this seem way too simple.....lots of practise must go into this...and some will be more proficient then others....we often team up a newbie and an oldie....to help carry them on....or too newbies get the "background" fights....while the oldies hog the spotlight up close....

MadL.... i thank you for your word of caution.....for that is still in the training....but let me clarify a few things before anyone thinks that what we are sugesting is being trained so that anyone can go up to a renny and challange them.... there are a few groups out there...that have like interests...and like styles in SATGE COMBAT.....we are suggesting to learn the same basic moves....for saftey....use the same rules....so when we get together next...we may THEN choreograph some simple exchanges.... i am not suggesting nor condoneing after a simple practice....you go spar with anyone...these are rehearsed moves for infront of public....not too the blood...not a cage fight mixer..... this is a place for suggestions of how to engage another group...in a safe manner as well as setting...in a realistic format. any and all suggestions are warrented and appreciated....kepp em comming

actually depends on early or late GAoP...this age is known for very overlapping and techinical advances in everything from weapons to ships....early impressions can still git away with chargers....(apostles )...speacially if your also carrin a doglock... sorry forgot to add were i gots mine.....ah...cant remember.....he was as sutler in PORT WASHINGTON wis..pirate event....kept his card...just cant remeber where i kept it??? he was camped by us on the grassy knowl...anyone there remember him???

you know...thats not a bad idea....kinda long distance trainin.....you should be able to git the jist of what im showin ya....as well as me able to critique and adjust the movements as well as ask/answer questions real time.... tho i have never been tazes...3 of us did have a "cattle prod" fight in the middle of a feed store before....you should have seen the cashier as i tried to hide behind her when it turned 2 against 1.....and yes....the police did show up...not from the store personel...they were to busy layin on the floor laughin ther arses off....but a concerned passerby...saw thru the window...standing over a buddy...repeatedly gittin em with a cattle prod..... yeah...it all started when one of us asked the others...with a cattle prod in hand....i wonder if this would hurt??? it does.

starfire swords...and paul chen.....have had the best luck with them....so far. I'll agree with the recomendation for Paul Chen. Starfires are a bit heavy (for my taste), and a user of heavier weapons require a crapload more training and practice before they are "safe" (again my opinion). Comparable in weight to the Paul Chens, but a million miles better in quality is "Armour Class" based in England (or is it Scotland?)... But be forewared, there tends to be anywhere from a 6 to 9 month waiting list with Armour Class. For lighter weapons, I strongly recommend SCA (or SCA style) fencing blades. There are a good handful of manufacturers spread out over the continental USA. They are lighter (and hence in my opinion safer for beginners), but they are designed to take regular stress (against similar weighted weapons). They look better than normal fencing weapons, because they actually have some blade mass (unlike the car attenaes on handles that sports fencing weapons are). In fact my two blades of this nature are my favourite... They are light enough to do some great and quick stage combat, and light enough that you can swing them for hours without getting tired, but still substantial enough to look reasonably close to actual period weapons. I had my blades custom made at 28 and 26 inch lengths to better simulate period hangers, and had a custom shell guard to finish the GAoP look (see image below). dang it...i keep meaning to look at your blades...and keep fergittin...most be the green fairy...

actually got one in the works....well ....workin on gittin one in the works.....i got a neighbor who is really interested in learning....may video me teachin him...and pass that 'round...more as a baisic training video. but a hands on approach is vastly more important for fine tuneing..and beatting the bad habits outtaya...

now my world is a bit on hold at the moment...new baby comin in april...so a lot hinges on how "mamma"s doin......but i would say....i'm in....if an actual date can be worked out. so....i can definatly say....maybe...

starfire swords...and paul chen.....have had the best luck with them....so far.

well Nell, the Archangels and I have been pondering this for awhile now....how to play with others.... i train the Archangels in a basic 8 point series.....as our practice series....where they concentrate on strikes and blocks.....whith the emphises on positioning....every block every strike ends up same place....then we work on the acting side of it.....style...positioning...choreographed sequences...etc... as far as our "cues" go.....there is always a "cue"...with the sword positioning...that indicates to your opponent/partner....where the srike will be comming from.....and a subsequent cue for the blocks.....that way....in fight...if one or other forget their position in sequence...or must be changed/improved differently foir saftey...somethings in the way etc....then the cue from either the attacker or the defemdant may dictate the action. for example.... if i am comming at you with my sword pointed down....i will be striking for a head....off to the side....a shoulder strike....or up over my head...is a leg strike and conversaly....if i am holding my sword at waist level...i am cueing for a head block....shoulder height...a shoulder block...or held high over my shoulder....a leg block...etcetcetc.....that way...with the roar of the crowds....music....or any other distractions like an improved change in choerography due to a saftey hazard(rocks,slopes,holes,edge,fence,audiece member,live animals)....i can visually see the next attack/block... so...because we are spread out(many states)...we all practice the "baisic eight"..(blocks and strikes)..all the same.....then add "flourishes", "passes", "holds" and "kills"....when we get together for an actual choergraphed fight. i talked to your group last year...and a bit with Deadeye this past year....our groups style isn'y far from each others...just in a different sequence for our practice sets. what also must be taken into consideration....what type of weapons are used...makers etc.....now personally i love my starfires and have been using them for nearly 20 years....(have gotten new ones)...in fact Zach from satrfire has taken some sugestions from our group for more period swords(thanks Rats).....but the group...and I...have a myriad of different makers of swords...so one hard fast rule is.....use the same maker of sword vs same maker sword....for example....starfire vs starfire....chen vs chen.....etcetc......because my starfire will chopp the hell out of the chens.....due to different carbon content....but a chen vs chen lasts all day..... so...if your buyin a sword to fight with...buy 2....or only fight with someone who has the same maker....your blades will last longer. but at the moment....because most of us arrive late the first night....there leaves very little time to rehearse with another group....lest you live close by....now Hurricane group has offered for me to come down in the off season and teach them our moves....that way we could play together next we meet....but that has yet to happen.... so right now....for close quarter combat....its the old standby....our group splits up....some go on each side....and only fight your group.....

i was part of a 17th century scottish highlanders group some years back....and we did sword fight demos and such.....well...as you can imagine...wearring a kilt...while flinging around with a sword....ooops can(and have)happend.....and since we usually performed for more family audiences.....we started to wear...well undies. so...the problem being....that everyone in the audience is secretly tryin to figure out what your wearrin underneath.....and if yor wearrin boxers for example....and they git a slip....then you can actually hear the growns from the women in the crowds...of disappointment....and if ya wear nuthin at all....which is proper....then expect to git arrested if ya oops.....so we started wearrin ....welll.....we started wearrin bikini briefs under the kilts....to show high thigh...but now arrests..... so, ok....in a show....sword fighting....wearring my robin egg blue bikini bottoms.....havein a very dramatic fight scene....one with morals and virtue and grand historical signifagance.........then a grand death scene....im run thru....a gsap from the crowd....i colapse a table....fall unto my death upon the mud streaked ground.....with the back of me kilt up over my head....oooops!!!! the crowd still in shock and utter silence from the grand death.......a little girls voice is heard from somewhere in the crowd....... mommy,mommy....i know what they wear underneath......blue panties!!!!! ...... the crowd started laughin so hard....and all the "dead" started shaking from the fit of laughter from there bellies.....that the very last lines of the show were dropped..... thank you ...and good night....