Teaching kids about swordfighting

**Shay** · 28th February 06, 11:04 AM

That's a great wikipedia article, and I think there's a boffing group (snerk) around my area I'd forgotten about- I'll have to look into it!

As for constructing my own weapons, we already have the wooden swords and shields, and they're strictly outside toys, so lamps are not in danger.

My husband was a saber fencer, maybe when he gets back I'll pick his brain about it.

**Iolaus** · 28th February 06, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by Shay

Our house rules:

Rules: Swords are to hit only other swords
If a sword is swung at a body part, the attacker is out for the day.
Swords are NOT to be swung at shields.
You can block with your shield, but not attack with it.
If you raise your shield over your head, that is the signal for a time out of the end of the bout.

<snip>

(BTW- I consider this sport, not actual combat training)

You kind of take out all of the points of swinging a sword. "Sport" means competition.

1) "Swords are to hit only other swords
If a sword is swung at a body part, the attacker is out for the day."
- The whole point is to swing at, and connect with, a body part. If both participants are aiming at each other's swords, there is no sport, they're just playing "Click the Stick"

2) "If a sword is swung at a body part, the attacker is out for the day. ... You can block with your shield, but not attack with it."
- What are they blocking, if a sword can not be swung at a body part?

**davedove** · 28th February 06, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Shay

That's a great wikipedia article, and I think there's a boffing group (snerk) around my area I'd forgotten about- I'll have to look into it!

As for constructing my own weapons, we already have the wooden swords and shields, and they're strictly outside toys, so lamps are not in danger.

My husband was a saber fencer, maybe when he gets back I'll pick his brain about it.

Maybe you could take the foam pool snakes and slip the wooden swords into them, trimming the excess length to an inch or two past the end of the sword.

**Panache** · 28th February 06, 12:01 PM

I play sword fighting with my son (now 5 3/4) on and off with wooden swords
(from Renaissance Faire and others I cut out of exterior grade plywood.) I always have him aim for the body (never the face or head). Likewise I always aim (though very light swings or stabs) at his body. He is developing a decent parry and riposte for a kindergartener. Then again dueling with a parent is one thing, hacking away at your siblings is another.

I used to fence epee and have a room with various swords hanging from the walls (high up) so I figured that my son was going to be interested sooner or later so I would teach him the basics. His sister just turned three so fencing with her is discouraged.

Panche

**Rigged** · 28th February 06, 01:08 PM

I took my son to a Renaissance Faire and let him take a fencing lesson. After the lesson they squared him off against another student close to his age and size.

He did very well and "foiled" his opponent quite handily.

**bikercelt1** · 28th February 06, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by Shay

Our house rules:

Rules: Swords are to hit only other swords
If a sword is swung at a body part, the attacker is out for the day.
Swords are NOT to be swung at shields.
You can block with your shield, but not attack with it.
If you raise your shield over your head, that is the signal for a time out of the end of the bout.
(BTW- I consider this sport, not actual combat training)

How old are the Kids? What kind of "swords" are they using? Even in sport a hit to the body is how you score so learning to only hit the sword will be counter productive if they take up fencing or historic fencing later. There are some reproductions of early manuals available, such as "Highland Swordsmanship" and "Highland Broadsword" by Mark Rector that, while they might be too adult for the kids, could give you some exercises and drills that you could teach the kids. Learning correct handling is the best way of reducing injury in the long run. Learning the drills will give them the feeling of strike and block that merely letting them swing away at each other will never give them. Using a piece of padded rattan with a heavy leather basket for hand protection as a sword and limiting them to a "swinging" strike rather than a "stabbing" lunge could also help limit the risk of injury. Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.

Jamie

**furrycelt** · 28th February 06, 02:56 PM

Having worked with kids as a church daycamp summer counselor, I think such a "sport" would be good for the kids if properly constructed.

I would suggest that you keep in formal, just like the formality in fencing. Ask that they salute each other before sparring. The kids will like the "ceremony" of it all; it will make them feel special, and it will help to maintain some control and respect.

I would suggest that sword strking shield is ok, they will learn to block and it will give them more to do than "clicking the sticks". And arguably, the shield will protect them. I would add padding to the swords, and then say that you cannot aim for the head or the body ever. If the head or body is struck, then the player will be told to sit out. Just aim for the arms and legs. These body parts can take some abuse without damage, and then a set of basic scoring rules can be set-up. You get hit on an arm or leg, your opponent gains a point. The round ends after 3 points, or 5 or so. Or make it two points, and then you gain one point if you do a successful shield block. Or something like that, I am pulling this off the top of my pate.

Of course, make rules that any aggressive behavior will not be accepted. The strikes need only to make contact--a touch; not to hurt. They have to say if they got touched or not; as a light touch may not be felt by the attacker. This will help teach the wee ones self-control, honor, and fairness.

-ian

**Panache** · 28th February 06, 03:15 PM

As well as the salute before they begin, they should end each bout shaking hands with their opponent (using their off hand of course).

You could let them know that the fast and light touch is what real fencers strive for. Small, light, and fast movements always beat heavy handed swinging. Look at Tim Roth's character in "Rob Roy" for example. Wait a minute... we are talking about children here...err..forget about the example.

Panache