HEMA at Home - Guards & Manual Exercise

Summary

This video dives into the core principles of British military swordsmanship, specifically the *Roth* system, highlighting nine essential guard positions and their defensive applications. Viewers are guided through a detailed explanation of each guard, along with a practical solo exercise that can be practiced at home. The system emphasizes key concepts such as elbow protection and proper alignment of the sword. The video provides a comprehensive foundation for both beginners and experienced practitioners, offering insights into how these techniques were historically employed in combat training.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video discusses British military swordsmanship, focusing on the nine guard positions in Roth's system, which has historical roots in Napoleonic period swordsmanship.
• 😀 A guard position is a stance used in combat to both protect oneself and prepare for parrying, with each guard protecting different lines of attack.
• 😀 The medium guard, unlike most other guards, does not protect any lines and is only useful when uncertain about the opponent's actions. Roth advises against using it as a defensive position.
• 😀 Roth's system prioritizes guard positions that protect key body areas, rejecting guards that leave certain areas vulnerable, such as low or hanging guards that expose the hand.
• 😀 St. George's guard is used to defend against vertical cuts to the head or attacks targeting the leg, positioning the hand safely and allowing for a strong return strike.
• 😀 Hanging guards, particularly the Preem hanging guard, offer excellent protection but can be tiring. They are best used in defensive situations to recover from attacks.
• 😀 Half hanging guards (inside and outside) are used for parrying cuts aimed at the belly or flanks, and the knuckle bow should align with the opponent's blade to ensure effective defense.
• 😀 Guards like inside and outside guard offer protection for the high right or left side of the body. The elbow should remain protected by keeping the arm straight and close to the body.
• 😀 The half circle or speed room guard is quick and useful for parrying attacks to the arm, though not recommended for head cuts due to hand exposure.
• 😀 A solo exercise combining guard positions, cuts, and parries allows practitioners to simulate a range of defensive and offensive actions, helping to internalize the mechanics of the system.
• 😀 This solo exercise serves as a great at-home practice tool, covering all essential movements—guard positions, attacks, parries, lunges, and recoveries—providing a comprehensive overview of the system's basics.

Q & A

What are the nine guard positions in the Roth system of British military swordsmanship?

The nine guard positions in the Roth system include: St. George, Prima Hanging Guard, Secunda Hanging Guard, Inside Half Hanging Guard, Outside Half Hanging Guard, Medium Guard (which is not recommended by Roth), Inside Guard, Outside Guard, and Half Circle Guard.

Why is the Medium Guard not favored in Roth’s system of swordsmanship?

The Medium Guard is not favored because it does not provide protection for any of the body's lines. Roth argues that it's only useful when uncertain about the opponent's attack but leaves the user vulnerable, making it ineffective for long-term defense.

How does the St. George guard help protect the fighter?

The St. George guard protects the head and the hands from downward cuts, such as Cut 7. By positioning the sword in a slightly high and angled position, it deflects the blow to the flat of the blade, preventing direct hits to the hand or head.

What is the main difference between the Prima and Secunda Hanging Guards?

The Prima Hanging Guard has the hilt above the head, creating a clear line of sight through the blade and arm for defense against lower cuts. The Secunda Hanging Guard has the hilt positioned more neutrally at shoulder height, providing a defensive stance against horizontal cuts at the torso.

What is the purpose of the Half Circle Guard and in which contexts is it used?

The Half Circle Guard is used for quick defense against cuts aimed at the arms or lower body. It is a fast but weak parry, often employed when there’s little time to react, especially in cavalry swordsmanship. It is less effective for head cuts, as it exposes the hand.

What are the two key defensive functions of the Half Hanging Guards (Inside and Outside)?

The Half Hanging Guards (Inside and Outside) defend against horizontal cuts targeting the body, particularly the belly and flank areas. They allow the fighter to quickly respond to strikes coming from the left or right sides by shifting the knuckle bow toward the attacking blade.

How should the knuckle bow be positioned during a parry, according to Roth’s system?

The knuckle bow should always be directed towards the opponent’s blade, aligning with the true edge of the sword. This ensures proper protection, utilizing the sword's edge and guard to defend against the opponent's strike.

What is the recommended body posture when performing the Roth system's guards?

The body should remain slightly back on the back foot to allow for smooth, quick shifts with the front foot. This posture ensures balance and enables rapid responses to changing threats from the opponent.

How does the solo exercise integrate the use of the different guard positions?

The solo exercise involves starting in the slope sword position, then transitioning between various guards while performing attacks and parries. Each movement in the drill matches a specific guard with a corresponding defensive response, helping to reinforce timing, positioning, and transitions.

What makes the solo drill effective for practicing swordsmanship at home?

The solo drill is effective because it combines guard positions, cuts, parries, and recovery actions into a continuous flow. It allows practitioners to practice at home without a partner, reinforcing muscle memory and enhancing understanding of how to defend against a variety of attacks.