So Tired, worn out.

All the hard work. Practices, pell nights, and personal home fitness are starting to pay off. People are starting to notice improvement in my sets and today tell me I was kinda scary to fight since I can stand toe to toe with some of the chiv in attendance. I like the way that sounds. I do try to fight them well and improve when I can. Some day, when I grow up I'll be a knight; but for now I take slight awe and fear. It's all about the word fame right? I've got a long way to go.

Also: I suck at teaching. Words escape me, geeky scientist trying to teach fighting doesn't always work out. At least I can show them the movements while someone else narrates.

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Anybody out there?

Wow, the winter weather starts rolling in and there goes the attendance at practice. Both Thursday and Monday were sorely lacking in fighters, not enough to even put on gear (i.e. only two ppl and one of them didn't have gear). Off season my ass, the crappy weather only gives me more endurance.

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Concepts of a Fighter.

More of the head game from my Knight:

Think of three primary realms where the fighter operates, emotional, perceptual and physical.

* Physical provides the foundation without which perceptions and emotions do not matter. It is the process of mastering the physical that also allows us to master the perceptions and emotions. The physical realm encompasses our toolbox. More tools give us more options when on the job. We must continually sharpen the tools we own, while mastering additional tools to place in the box.

* Perceptual we develop through time-in-hat engaged in contests "that matter" to us. Our perceptions allow us to select the correct tools for the job, and to use them at the proper time. There can be an intellectual component that guides honing perceptions via studying the "body-language" of contests between others. This is not easy though and requires not watching as entertainment, but for analysis. Video is tricky too, being 3-D (width, height, time) rather than 4-D (adding depth) and lacks the perspective of the opponent (third person impersonal versus first person personal).

* Emotional is how our basic natures relate to contention, and our ability to make significant self-change. It determines if we get the job done efficiently, or at all. Uncontrolled emotions hinder our ability to learn when training, and give our opponents an unearned advantage. Lack of emotional involvement in execution or outcome leads to poor performance. Metaphysically - We could as well call this spiritual, I suppose, but spiritual can imply outside forces as much as internal forces - I see combat as mastering internal forces (emotions). The nature of your beliefs in external forces only matters in how it allows you to master yourself, and can be detrimental in self-mastery if it excuses making the effort (fate/destiny/this is my nature).

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Head Time in the Helmet.

Tonight I had some good sets with the knights in attendance and a good warm-up/practice drill with my soon to be squire brother. I made sure to keep myself moving, being smaller movement is a vital part of my developing style, to prevent crushing blows and resets during the fight. My goal is to keep my opponent on their heels and simply move out of harms way while setting up blows rather than fighting toe to toe. Small steps up!

There are a few things I need to improve upon. Upping the aggression, this will come with time and a little prodding from some pals. Others include more seamless transitions in and out of my opponents A and B ranges, more efficient sword recoveries, and remembering good form. For me exceptional form will equal good power and appropriate skill level for higher level tournaments in the future. I maintain my Squire Challenge workout but need to up my cardio to increase endurance. Running in the rain? need some rain pants.

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Welcome to Winter!

It may not officially be winter yet, but that doesn't prevent the temperature from dropping down or wind from whipping through the practice site. It's time for the winter long haul, freezing hands, numb limbs, and nothing to do but whine whine whine about it. HA!

I now pronounce the Fighter Winter Whining season open!! Please feel free to post those deepest and utmost desires to complain about everything and anything regarding weather, discomfort, and drudgery of dragging yourself to practice in those less than optimal conditions.

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