Get Kata....*
One thing that I have been pondering for some time is whether fencing needs Kata in the way that most martial arts have them? For the un-initiated a Kata is a routine of pre-defined moves that the exponent repetitively practices either on their own or with a partner in order to gain proficiency. They also form part of the grading system of the art in some way or another. We in fencing don't do this, preferring to have some group practice on the moves and then some demonstration of them in the grading system. Would it be weird to practice some choreographed moves with a partner? Would it be beneficial in any way? I can't help but think it might benefit some fencers to practice the same move again and again with a partner until the subtleties are mastered. Variety could be added by speed, distance even emotion etc until it became quite a rich experience. But then again I am old fashioned. Perhaps I will retreat to my cave and ponder some more. Besides 24 is on in a minute!
* Apologies to Michael Caine - the Sylvester Stallone version was not a touch on the original....
* Apologies to Michael Caine - the Sylvester Stallone version was not a touch on the original....
posted by Dave at
8:47 PM
7 Comments:
A series of two-person kata might be more useful for fencing, and more interesting for the fencers.
-- Laura
An interesting thought Laura, here's an intermediate level (?) one I knocked together.. Don't know if this translates well in type though!
Fencer A(FA)
Three steps forward
Fencer B (FB)
Three steps back
FA Lunge
FB Parry Riposte – quarte direct
FA Recover
FB Recover
FA Three steps forward
FB Three steps back
FA Lunge
FB Parry riposte – quarte direct
FA First counter riposte
FA Recover
A more complicated one could be
FA Three steps forward
FB Three steps back
FA Disengage lunge & hit
FB Lateral parry of quarte is deceived
FA Recover
FA Three steps forward
FB Three steps back
FA Disengage lunge
FB Lateral parry of quarte followed by successive parry of sixte and direct riposte under arm
FA Recover
FA Three steps forward
FB Three steps back
FA Compound attack (Disengage lunge followed by counter disengage)to hit
FB Lateral parry of quarte followed by successive parry of sixte
FA Recover
This one could get quite complex and would have quite afew subtleties in the timing and distance. I think it might be easier to demonstrate but you get the idea..!?
Interesting! Thanks for posting that. Definitely gives me something to think about (and try with a buddy)!
-- Laura
Kata don't have to be very complex. For example, the first kata in Yagyu Shinkage Ryu consists of a single cut. I don't think it's all that different from the simple bladework drills that most fencers do.
They do have a sort of kata for it, i think its called the Beck System or German system (not to be confused by the German school of fencing). Try googling it
www.coachescompendium.org/GERMANEPEE.HTML
Searched your blog for "kata" and found what I was looking for.
I have several thoughts on the subjects... but you are referring to fairly lengthy sequences, it seems? That IMHO is mainly for solo training, lika karate kata. I agree with Anonymous that traditional, old budo kata often are short, simply the definition of a technique in a setting that makes it possible to train it.
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