Two is better than one - the reinforced block.

The Stronger Fortess, From the Ghetty Text

So, we see this idea in the Flos Battaglia several times, it must have been worth it, as good ole' Fiore does not repeat himself all that often.

Here, more than any other anti-dagger action, we are bringing up a shield. now, in harness, this quite literal. The metal case on our arms protects us. But even with out a hard shell, this action is useful.

It helps us wedge off the space more strongly, separating our foe from his/her weapon and getting us in a position to go after either the weapon or the wielder. Fiore indicates the weapon is best to go after, as that is the thing that will kill you. You can enter into any play of the first remedy, and even some wrestling, if you have a mind to stay in close.

It also gives us more leverage against larger weapons like spears and lets us break the strikes of foe far stronger than we may be.

It is, however, easily countered. So, if you use this tactic, don't over play your hand, as your foes may counter it as we show in the second video clip.


Clip one

https://youtu.be/Y1SLTzINNiA

Clip two
https://youtu.be/tGxqAmPUy9s

Sweep the Leg! Not really, just my weekly teaching blog

Michael Sims asked me to Take a look a holds from behind, and so here it is. 





https://youtu.be/U0fG4A7SFqc

So, here is one of Fiore's answers. Sorry to skip the full nelson, but it did not fit with my lesson this week. 

Key points to take away from this video:
- You don't have a lot of time or space when some one has you from behind. 
- Find or make the space you need to act. 
- Act in one tempo.


I'll let the video do the talking, but as always I love feedback. 

J

5th remedy of dagger from fiore.

Just working the basics here.


https://youtu.be/Wwrm3spE1A8



The 5th remedy of dagger is an odd duck. The "stick-up" style attack is as old as mankind, with the aggressor (agent) using a display of force to cow the defender (patient) into compliance. Despite the frequent occurrence of this action, it's hard to create a real-feeling context. With out real feeling context, a lot of folks think they can do these moves (and they can), but have no idea when to deploy them. Incorrect deployment is just as bad as doing it wrong in his case.

In the video, I set up a VERY rudimentary context, but I left out emotion. If some one has it in them to use this sort of threat, they will not be calm. They will not likely be calculating. They will be desperate, over-wrought, and probably expecting to win. Use the script of the villain to your advantage, only break from his script when it will aid you, and not before.

I cover it in the video, but I will say it again here: If they are talking, give then a posture and words they might expect. If the knife is coming (as happens in prison style shankings, the old grab & stab combo) then ignore the attached arm, and DEFEND the BLADE.

To sum it up: the remedies of the 5th dagger master are cool, and can work very well if you are in the right situation. In the wrong situation, they are not useful and indeed get you stabbed, so use your judgement.

Jesse Out.

PS, I'm still taking requests, if there is a topic on your mind.

Spiking your target - 1st master deployments and dealing with the knife.

In a prior article, we talked about Fiore's  dagger, and how it gets used. Today, we'll expand on that concept a bit.

I'll let the video do most of the talking, but i want to label this here.

In this class we are doing two types of dagger deployment. One is against the random assault, or the hold up. This is a classic approach to anti-dagger training. The flaw here is that while a good tool to teach the concept, the position is far too static. This is not a game of battle ship, where in we stand and duke it out.

The Second set of drill will take the concept taught in the first, and see if the students can apply these techniques in a more dynamic, less co-operative environment. Now I want to be clear, this is not scenario training, nor is it sparring. This is simply creating a situation where all the pieces are moving, and the agent is not compliant.

Here is an example of a "controlled context drill", which is NOT sparring, but allows the studet to begin to explore the situation, not just the technique at hand. (ALEX here has freedom to use any technique he knows, which is a fair number)

https://youtu.be/R9GST5CM0wE



Now, feel free to use you imagination to build on this drill or create other situations with which to deal. My favorites are when the player have reached a neutral bind, sword on sword, and one of them transitions to the dagger.

Working on Fiore's Ligadure - more in my series of classroom blogs.

Fiore offers us 3 primary "Ligadure", and a handful or variations on the theme. Most of these occur in the dagger section, but they are also found in the sword sections.

Personally, I like to follow Fiore's advice in terms of his order of operations for close range fighting which he lays out in the Ghetty manuscript, before he introduces the guards of grappling.

They are as follows:
- Have strength
- Have speed
- Know how to grab the target
- Know how to break his limbs
- Know how to bind (ligadure) his limbs
- Know how to make you hits count (strike dangerous places)
- Know throws
- Know dislocations

Now, since breaks are higher on the list, I take that to mean We are looking to do that where ever possible, and IF we tie him up, we are looking for throws and dislocations. I use a good slug to soften the target, or buy time for a more permanent solution (but a knock out would be sweet gravy).

So, that should give you perspective as you watch me teach some of these binds.
Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/TuGfYvFZIh0

Spine Locks: Wringing out a towel. AKA more class notes.

Still in a wrestling chapter.

The Plate in question. 

Looking a the plays of Abrazare, today, we are on the spine lock,

Now, I included one of my famous warm ups as well, to help with context. Since the class room is a laboratory environment, it is easy to lose sight of when these actions can occur in a fight, and what the goals are.

The drill will speak for itself in the class room clip. Drills like this one are part of my abrazare (Close-in fighting for non-Italian speakers) classes to help the student learn the timing of these techniques, as well as to prepare them for a little bit of contact.

Now, I feel strongly that such things are important, and that with out such basic contact drills, students will require a much longer learning period.

In short, and to quote the master, you must know how to come to and advantageous grip.

Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/IkISctJd-tU

Follow on plays from the first remedy of Abrazare.

Here is a brief clip of this weeks close quarters class. A bit more technical than last weeks, but I think the lesson of context has been retained.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAU5wUpmz-s