Teaching kids about swordfighting

[Iolaus]

Our house rules:

Rules: Swords are to hit only other swords
If a sword is swung at a body part, the attacker is out for the day.
Swords are NOT to be swung at shields.
You can block with your shield, but not attack with it.
If you raise your shield over your head, that is the signal for a time out of the end of the bout.

<snip>

(BTW- I consider this sport, not actual combat training)

You kind of take out all of the points of swinging a sword. "Sport" means competition.

1) "Swords are to hit only other swords
If a sword is swung at a body part, the attacker is out for the day."
- The whole point is to swing at, and connect with, a body part. If both participants are aiming at each other's swords, there is no sport, they're just playing "Click the Stick"

2) "If a sword is swung at a body part, the attacker is out for the day. ... You can block with your shield, but not attack with it."
- What are they blocking, if a sword can not be swung at a body part?

[bikercelt1]

Our house rules:

Rules: Swords are to hit only other swords
If a sword is swung at a body part, the attacker is out for the day.
Swords are NOT to be swung at shields.
You can block with your shield, but not attack with it.
If you raise your shield over your head, that is the signal for a time out of the end of the bout.
(BTW- I consider this sport, not actual combat training)

How old are the Kids? What kind of "swords" are they using? Even in sport a hit to the body is how you score so learning to only hit the sword will be counter productive if they take up fencing or historic fencing later. There are some reproductions of early manuals available, such as "Highland Swordsmanship" and "Highland Broadsword" by Mark Rector that, while they might be too adult for the kids, could give you some exercises and drills that you could teach the kids. Learning correct handling is the best way of reducing injury in the long run. Learning the drills will give them the feeling of strike and block that merely letting them swing away at each other will never give them. Using a piece of padded rattan with a heavy leather basket for hand protection as a sword and limiting them to a "swinging" strike rather than a "stabbing" lunge could also help limit the risk of injury. Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.

Jamie

[Jeremiah]

Our house rules:

Rules: Swords are to hit only other swords
If a sword is swung at a body part, the attacker is out for the day.
Swords are NOT to be swung at shields.
You can block with your shield, but not attack with it.
If you raise your shield over your head, that is the signal for a time out of the end of the bout.

(Oh, I also have helmets for them, no worries there.)

What do you think? Too ambitious? Our oldest is eight, and she loves the swords... I'm just wondering if there's something we could throw in to teach her a little more than fighting fair.

(BTW- I consider this sport, not actual combat training)

What are the boys rules?

[Shay]

What are the boys rules?

Not to drool too much or hit the dog- he's only 18 months old. It's really my daughter and her friends I'm worried about right now.

[macgreggor]

Hi Shay,
I have had my kids in Escrima (a Fillipino sword style) for just about forever. Of all the suggestions I have heard here, I like the RESPECT and COURTESY ones best. Although the kids are young, they are after all practicing a martial art. My kids know it is all just a game but, there is a small element of danger and emotions can get out of hand. The formality of the bow and shake can help control things. Let the kids have fun, no thrusting (that is where the REAL hurts can occur) and get them elbow pads and some kind of padded gloves. Whacks to the hands and elbows HURT. Yes I speak fron the experience of waaaay to many elbow blocks!

Enjoy the chaos!

Greg

[Sciuropterus]

Hi Shay,
I have had my kids in Escrima (a Fillipino sword style) for just about forever.

Where are they taking Escrima? I studied Kali/Arnis/Escrima in MN when I was younger, the full-contact sparring with padded sticks and hockey helmets was a lot of fun. The Filipino arts are interesting because they had to deal with both Asian and European opponents at various times.

[Jeremiah]

Hi Shay,
I have had my kids in Escrima (a Fillipino sword style) for just about forever. Of all the suggestions I have heard here, I like the RESPECT and COURTESY ones best. Although the kids are young, they are after all practicing a martial art. My kids know it is all just a game but, there is a small element of danger and emotions can get out of hand. The formality of the bow and shake can help control things. Let the kids have fun, no thrusting (that is where the REAL hurts can occur) and get them elbow pads and some kind of padded gloves. Whacks to the hands and elbows HURT. Yes I speak fron the experience of waaaay to many elbow blocks!

Enjoy the chaos!

Greg

Of all the weapon martial arts I've ever practiced Escrima was in my opinion the best and easiest to learn. Excellent system.

[way2fractious]

Avoid sending ANY kids to this school, although they might (hopefully) have gone out of business by now.
-larger image- http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...es/moore02.jpg

[KiltedKnight]

Not to drool too much or hit the dog- he's only 18 months old. It's really my daughter and her friends I'm worried about right now.

Don't worry too much about the girls. By the time my daughter was 9 years old she could load and fire any of my black powder rifles and hit what she was aiming at. She was right up there with her brothers.

Chris.

[Shay]

I'm more worried about her friends- she kicks major *** and I'm trying to figure out a way to level the playing field a bit.