Warmed up with the agility ladder, then did some medicine ball tosses.
Did a bit of pole work, focusing on slow start, accelerated finish and hitting with the top 3 inches of the saber. Lots of mechanical issues, so probably didn't set up the sequence very well.
Suited up and worked on long attacks, focusing on a tempo change for the attack finish. Attacker presses while defender retreats. Defender stops and attempts a stop-hit, attacker should accelerate and finish. Then allowed the defender to attempt a parry-riposte. Ended with showing how the distance and change of tempo of the attackers finish can "beat" a "correct" tactical choice if the distance is wrong (for that tactic)--in this case, false stop, riposte.
Foil:
Just one foilist, so a private lesson.
Warmed up with the engagement six drill from extension distance, focusing on a good extension and hit. Then occasionally would pull the opening out to extension+advance distance, to show that you can get nearly the same penetration from an extension+advance if timed properly. Then from movement.
Then I introduced holding parries, focusing on choice of riposte based on position and activity in the blades while holding the parry.
Think the lesson went pretty well. Hadn't taught holding parries before, but I was pleased with the foilist's progress.
07-31-2009 12:26 AM