Teaching kids about swordfighting

[Shay]

(Oh- I took out the part with the Brownies because I'm going to have to get permission from their parents ahead of time)

[toadinakilt]

The swimmie noodle idea is a good one...the problem with saying "Hit sword against sword only" is that it teaches nothing practical about sword use...but I can understand the caution abut letting them bash each other...my Mom never would let use hit each other until we were older and could control a sword better...and of course we started using padding and armor-type wear as well.

I think it's cool that there are people who still let their kids whack around with toy weapons. SCOOOOTLAAAAAND!!!

[Panache]

The little toy shop down the street sells foam "nerf-like" swords that really are harmless for under $10. If you could find some you could then teach your children some rudimentary fencing (of course no aiming at the head or face). Also poking using the point rather than swinging to use the edge is less hard on the various knick knacks, lamps, and other household items that could victims of childhood swashbuckling.

Panache

As Cyrano said "Then out swords, and to work withal!"

[Southern Breeze]

Shay, check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boffing

[Panache]

As a fellow parent I imagine Shay would not be keen on the children telling their classmates how they like "boffing".

Panache

[Southern Breeze]

As a fellow parent I imagine Shay would not be keen on the children telling their classmates how they like "boffing".

Panache

That would be a problem.....

[Rigged]

I took my son to a Renaissance Faire and let him take a fencing lesson. After the lesson they squared him off against another student close to his age and size.

He did very well and "foiled" his opponent quite handily.

[furrycelt]

Having worked with kids as a church daycamp summer counselor, I think such a "sport" would be good for the kids if properly constructed.

I would suggest that you keep in formal, just like the formality in fencing. Ask that they salute each other before sparring. The kids will like the "ceremony" of it all; it will make them feel special, and it will help to maintain some control and respect.

I would suggest that sword strking shield is ok, they will learn to block and it will give them more to do than "clicking the sticks". And arguably, the shield will protect them. I would add padding to the swords, and then say that you cannot aim for the head or the body ever. If the head or body is struck, then the player will be told to sit out. Just aim for the arms and legs. These body parts can take some abuse without damage, and then a set of basic scoring rules can be set-up. You get hit on an arm or leg, your opponent gains a point. The round ends after 3 points, or 5 or so. Or make it two points, and then you gain one point if you do a successful shield block. Or something like that, I am pulling this off the top of my pate.

Of course, make rules that any aggressive behavior will not be accepted. The strikes need only to make contact--a touch; not to hurt. They have to say if they got touched or not; as a light touch may not be felt by the attacker. This will help teach the wee ones self-control, honor, and fairness.

-ian

[Manu]

I remember playing with plastic swords as a kid. My mom didnt have any rules really, just when she heard one of us crying she would make us stop for a while, after a few minutes it was fair game again. I mean, a strike wiht a plastic sword wont send them to the hospital. Other than that, nerf-like swords sounds like a good idea.

[Shay]

That's a great wikipedia article, and I think there's a boffing group (snerk) around my area I'd forgotten about- I'll have to look into it!

As for constructing my own weapons, we already have the wooden swords and shields, and they're strictly outside toys, so lamps are not in danger.

My husband was a saber fencer, maybe when he gets back I'll pick his brain about it.