Nero's Makashi Tutorials

[Jedijosh]

Ok first thing I want to get this out the only formal training I had was basic defensive parries and footwork with a foil made for a ten year old. Secondly I recognized some of the same techniques in your video that I regularly use all the time. Which was awesome.

[Master Nero Attoru]

Ok first thing I want to get this out the only formal training I had was basic defensive parries and footwork with a foil made for a ten year old. Secondly I recognized some of the same techniques in your video that I regularly use all the time. Which was awesome.

Glad I could help!  My fencing background is in foil, so I'm not surprised you recognize many of the concepts.  I'll have to make some more of these tutorials in the future to clear some things up.

[Jedijosh]

Thank you. That would be awesome.

[Zren Tobas]

Can you do some Soresu next? I'm having trouble getting the hang of that one. Like the horizontal spins and such. Some dueling ideas would be nice too though.

[WookieeGunner]

Out of curiosity, why do you always lead with your primary foot?  If you lead with your other foot you can still use your tip to pick up the parry but it allows you to step through greatly increasing the distance of the lunge.

[Jedijosh]

What it sounds like you are talking about is a crossover advance used for closing distance except your opponent attacks half way through so you are off balance and this is where I turn to master Nero to add his expertise.

[WookieeGunner]

Not exactly.  From a balance position you are still as just as balanced as you would be in a normal En Guarde position as you are in an En Guarde position, it's just that your front is pointed in the opposite direction.  It leaves your back open and significantly shortens your non-lunge attack distance, but in a defensive stance (like Master Nero was demostrating) it still gives enough mobility to parry while hiding your attack distance and if you are squaring your sholders you don't really loose that much in your parries.

[Jedijosh]

Thank you I stand corrected. another thing I've found is that although the basics of the foil are are a good starting point. when facing off against multiple opponents E.G. 8 or so 8-10 year old boys you have to be very light on your feet.

[Master Nero Attoru]

Out of curiosity, why do you always lead with your primary foot?  If you lead with your other foot you can still use your tip to pick up the parry but it allows you to step through greatly increasing the distance of the lunge.

I do know what you're suggesting, and I sometimes try that (the defensive stance with your non-weapon foot forward is quite good for disguising your reach).  However, I personally favor the traditional en garde simply because I'm used to it - all of my attacks and maneuvers are highly dependent on distance, which changes completely when you're launching an attack from that stance.  The extra reach is great for surprising somebody, but I'd rather stick with my comfort zone until I get that particular set of distances down.