Comments on: Fighting a Larger Opponent – Pt 2

By: RedWritersHood

RedWritersHood — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 14:30:35 +0000

I love this and believe the philosophy wholeheartedly. Whatever you are, that is your greatest weapon!

By: CKoepp

CKoepp — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 12:42:45 +0000

When I was in Renaissance fencing, I often fought with guys who were bigger, stronger, and more experienced than I was. I was, in fact, smaller than most of the women in the group, too. They could muscle through my effort to parry and still get their attack through.

My instructor and I worked out ways to use my puny size to an advantage. Women have a lower center of gravity than men, on average, which means they have the potential to change direction faster. Being a shrimp meant I had an even lower center of gravity than many women. We worked out ways to use evasions (the Spanish style was better for that) and to close the distance so I could get use the stronger part of the blade to parry.

When I stopped trying to play their game, I started doing better.

By: RedWritersHood

RedWritersHood — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 17:33:45 +0000

My next post will be about the perineum stab and I have one on bleeding out as well. 🙂 It is a horrible strike but if your life is on the line then everything is game!

By: RedWritersHood

RedWritersHood — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 17:32:11 +0000

Thank you! I think we often forget the danger in the subsequent infection. And, I'm like you, big blades aren't the best blades. I feel like the shorter ones offer more options and ease of movement.

By: Amy Brock McNew

Amy Brock McNew — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 14:44:29 +0000

It's a little weird that you posted this article today, when yesterday I used a few of these moves in a scene I wrote! I even used the truly awful strike to the delicate area you mentioned! (It was the scene I told you about.) When I read it to my husband, he cringed and shivered off and on for a bit! This is confirmation for me. I am proud of the scene, but was a little concerned about people's reactions to it. Thanks!

By: Amy Brock McNew

Amy Brock McNew — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 14:41:02 +0000

This comment has been removed by the author.

By: Captain Travis

Captain Travis — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 13:18:03 +0000

It's worth noting that the kind of stabbing attacks you reference were a part of Roman combat training. It's part of the reason why their swords were shorter than their barbarian enemies (the other reason is Romans fought in close formation, allowing little room to swing a long sword). You don't need a very big blade to inflict a fatal stab wound.

Note also in ancient and medieval times that even if a stab to the body cavity didn't kill in the short term, it would usually cause infections infections that would be eventually fatal.

Yes, some warriors in the past have preferred slicing and chopping weapons, but stabbing is very effective. Good post!

By: Captain Travis

Captain Travis — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 13:17:11 +0000