Activity Update for The Elemental School of Fencing on November 30th, 2010

After we discussed Kyu's perfrormance at the PSAL Individual Championships, we did a bit of bouting.

We saw the awakening of Fire in Dante, and the Fire under control while Isaac's Hon Ghar influence became a form in and of itsself.  We watched the way of Water as Max's point continued to impale his opponents, and we experienced the effect of Will's mixture of Earth, and the other elements! 

We tried a three on three bout, with Spadinos, and a Fioretta on each side.  Believe it!  Our own Dante, won the combat, but not before he accidently impaled his team mate. Ugh, the perils of melee and blood lust.

We attempted critical hit rules.  They seem to work, but still require some finesse.

1. "Know when you are hit." As always.
2. If a strike feels significant enough, it is critical.  (Ie: if you are stunned by the force/placement of the strike, it must be critical.)
3. A critical hit to an arm prevents the further use of that arm.
4. A critical hit to a leg forces the stricken fencer into a kneeling position.
5. A critical hit anywhere else, is an immediate out.
6. Otherwise the three hit rule holds.
7. In a round robin, a fencer may not call for help upon receiving a critical hit that is an immediate out.

Help refine the list!  Comment away on the blog,

Elemental School of Fencing Newsletter for November 30th, 2010

Greetings!

After multiple portions of rather large poultry, succulent gravy, mashed potatoes, greens of various types, pastas, and stuffing that would delight the gods, we worked it off in a Fencing session at the Elemental School of Fencing.

 

Happy Thanksgiving all, hope it was fun!

 

A shout out to KYU NAKAMA, who place 8th in the PSAL's Individual Competition held on November 21st, 2010.

 

We saw videos of the event and are hoping to get a copy to post to our site.  You can actively see Kyu using the width of the piste to the annoyance of his opponents.  You can also see the effect of the closeness of distance Kyu noted previously.  His opponents are tentative wondering at his closeness.  They strike only to find him not where they thought he was!

 

In fact in one clip, you can actually see the opponent striking TWICE in the air, at where Kyu WAS, while Kyu spins and strikes the opponent deftly in the side!  Kyu's allegiance to Air is evident.

 

But by far, the most interesting story of the day was Kyu's use of the VOID.  In a semi final round, Kyu faced the final contender from Stuyvesant to make the ranks. (FYI, Stuyvesant ALWAYS places, so this was odd.)

 

Kyu was down many touches, at the first minute break.  As soon as the fencers re-entered the piste, he called for a time-out!  The judge granted it, and Kyu unitied...then retied his shoe.  Taking his time about it.

 

As Kyu says it, he invoked the Void.  The reason he did this was because his opponent was in a groove, and he needed to break it.  AND BREAK IT HE DID!  When the bout resumed, KYU proceeded to rack up the Touches, and you can visibly see his opponent gradually giving up as each touch lands.  Many to his gut, and many with foil bending martial force.  Until the final touch, in which Kyu wins with what looks like his opponent walking into his blade!

 

BRAVO KYU!

- Our BLOG has been updated!  Newsletters abound, feel free to join, and comment away!

More to come!

Lou Gasco

Activity Update from La Sala D'Armi Della Scuola D'Armi On November 21st, 2010

First, lets welcome TWO new students!  Davide, and Este!  A-Lei!

This week we reviewed our footwork (Air), we practiced distance (Void), and went to the piste to witness some fantastic progress!  Evident in the bouts, as the signorini are no longer just 'bull-rushing' each other, but rather waiting for the moment to strike.  There's still alot of work to do.  But reaching this milestone so early (THIRD WEEK!) is fantastic.  :)

On another note, the signorini selected their elements from the fabled "Elmo"  (That's helmet in Italian; not the fuzzy red puppet.)  L'Elmo does not lie, and true to form, three more members of the Earth team were greeted, and two more members of the Fire team.

"Yup, that's me." said Dario as he pulled the Fire Stone from L'Elmo.

As a reminder, the team a fencer belongs to is not the same as their natural element.  Only four teams have stones in L'Elmo;  Fire, Earth, Water, and Air.  So, lets welcome our new team mates!

A - Lei!

Lou Gasco

Activity Update from the Elemental School of Fencing on November 21st, 2010

Last week we discussed the Forms Demonstration system we are exploring for the Signorini, and all the other ranks.  This week, we are laying out the Technique Demonstration system.

Forms Demonstration is intended for a fencer to show a panel of judges the perfection in their forms.  The Technique Demonstration is intended instead for two fencers to show a panel of judges how well they perform their techniques when faced with a combat stance.  This is typical in many of the martial arts systems, and usually involves an 'attacker', and a 'defender'.  The purpose of the demonstration is for the defender to show mastery over their technique in response to the attacker's threat.  For the Signorini, this is limited to the content of the Treatise on the Fioretta, and will   involve parry/attack combinations, and foot movement to maintain distance.

Some rules for the Technique Demonstration may be as follows;

1. Attacker must attack;

- At Lunge, Thrust, and Close distance

- At High and Medium perspective

- Along Inside, and Outside lines of attack.

2. Defender must Parry;

- With 3,4,5,6 parries

- Using disengages

- Using foot movement to maintain distance

- And respond with a thrust after each parry.

More to come!

Elemental School of Fencing Newsletter on November 21st, 2010

First a little story.  I was in Toys R Us today, escorting my son around, when we had to visit the men's room.  However, store policy does not allow customers to enter the bathroom with large bags.  So, we were asked by a very polite young store employee to leave a bag with him.  So we did.  As we were, my son asked me if we were just going to leave the bag in the bin next to the guard.

To which the guard responded, "Never fear, young sir.  I will guard this bag with my Mind, Body and Soul."  I smiled as I tied the bag up, looked at my son, and said.  "Spoken like a true martial artist, right son?"

To which the guard said "Yes I am brother."  We chatted.  He was raised in Tae-Kwon Do, from the age of 4, and was now 22.  I found the conversation with him great.  We exchanged emails, and I invited him to come visit the Elemental School of Fencing, or our associates at Seibukai JuJutsu.  To which he said, he would (since he was seeking a "solid, conservative JuJutsu/Judo school.")

You never know, where you'll meet a Martial Artist!

On another front, our colleagues at PYRI Sword Fitness have started their Blog!  Soon we'll be able to join up and Blog away!  Its greatly encouraged.

As a reminder, our own blog is here.

Enjoy!  Here's looking forward to your continued inspiration and support.

A-Lei!

Lou Gasco

Activity Update from La Sala D'Armi Della Scuola D'Italia On November 15th, 2010

Yet another good session last friday.  Fencer's picked up some 'history' as we reviewed Miyamoto Musashi, and his nine precepts applied to our art form (VOID).  Then we explored the parries, sticking to the four high frontal parries we will be focusing on this semester (WATER). 

During the parry discussion, we saw the necessity to keep the presentation of heat. Master Foley continued his rigorous exercise routine, and the fencers enjoyed yet another series of bouts!

The Forms are improving throughout.  Bad habits are being lost, the all important balance is present, and hits are being self-declared. 

This week, we held the session in the cafeteria, to make room for La Scuola's tribute to Dr. Montessori, famed educator, and founder of the Montessori schools.

A-Lei!
Lou Gasco

Activity Update from the Elemental School of Fencing on November 15th, 2010

Our typical discussions, exercise and rousing round robins galore.  Stay tuned for pics...Master Foleys photographic skills are being taxed, as he tries to capture the blinding speed of the moves in the gym.

This week's highlights were some stupendous twirls to the inside with backhanded attacks by Master Nakama.  Master Isaaac Baird's stylistically Hon-Gahr influenced stance and rapid fire defence/attack combos.  Master Max Baird's terrifically quick viper like precision attacks.  Master Foley's own stylistic emergence from the Earth he so dearly loves!  And finally, a well performed reverse roll, recovery and disarm by our very own Master Hin Gasco.  (BTW, Happy B'Day D.)

As a highlight, the Elemental School Masters are formulating their Form's Demonstration.  Tentative rules for the Signorini Demonstrations are as follows;

1. The entire demonstration will be paced at a distance of 10 advances.  The Fencer must accomplish their demonstration within this space.
2. The demonstration MUST include at least;
• (3) Retreats
• (1) Far Retreat
• (2) Lunges
• (1) Ballestra
3. The fencer must perform every one of the following attacks;
• High Thrust
• Medium Thrust
• Low Thrust
• Close Quarters (any height)
4. At least one attack must be to the OUTSIDE.
5. Every attack must be preceded by a Parry.
6. Each of the following must be used at least ONCE.
• Parry 3
• Parry 4
• Parry 5
• Parry 6
7. The demonstration MAY include;
   • Any number of advances
   • Any number of retreats
8. Presentation of HEAT must be visible at all times.
9. Balance must be present at all times.

Based on the above, Signorini will be expected to perform their FORM DEMONSTRATION in our 2011 Tourney!  We are coming up with an aide that will help both the judges and the participants prepare, and score the demonstration.

More to come!

A-Lei!

Lou Gasco

Elemental School of Fencing Newsletter of November 15th, 2010

Lets start with a Shout Out!

Kyu Nakama had his play off's for PSAL this past weekend.  The Brooklyn Tech Knights made it into the 2nd Round!  Not a weak achievement...beating out some heavies.  But in the meantime, Kyu Nakama won 2 and lost one, scoring a crazy 18 touches.  That's an average of 6 touches per match compared to his average of 3.3 during the season!  When asked how this happened, he commented "Well, they kept doing the same thing, so I exposed their weakness, over and over and over again.  As for the last match, the guy was good."

A pearl of wisdom from our own Kyu in retrospect of the season.  "Our martial distance is much closer than the atheletic one."  Hmmm.  Food for thought.  In the Atheletics, a whipping attack from a distance outside to inside might score a touch (light a light, an depress that little button on the tip of the blade) but in the martial application the same move would only serve to perhaps pin prick the opponent.  To do damage, we must be closer, and so, we must learn how to defend at a closer distance.

This hearkens to Master Gallo, Magi's Beth, and Sarah and all the  ladies of Pyri.  The distance of the heavy sword they practice with is even CLOSER than the Fioretta!  BY AT LEAST three feet/arm's length.  Think about it for only a few seconds, before you cringe.

This week, we've added two new sections to this newletter to explore the activities in our extant Sala D'Armi's.  The Elemental School (Where we outline the Forms Demonstration work we are doing), and the Sala D'Armi at La Scuola d'Italia!

Enjoy!  Here's looking forward to your continued inspiration and support.

A-Lei!

Lou Gasco

Our First Treatise!

Our first treatise! 

The Elemental School of Fencing Treatise on the Use of the Fioretta

You can find it on AMAZON.  Its a full treatise on the basics of the martial use of the Fioretta while exploring all five schools, Fire, Earth, Air, Water, and Void.  It is intended for younger students in preparation for their tudies with the Spadino.  Students mastering the contents of this treatise can proceed along Atheletic, and Martial lines of training.  More Treatise to come!

Elemental School of Fencing Newsletter for November 8th, 2010

Lets start with a Shout Out!

Our very own Kyu Nakama formerly of the Fencer's Hall at Nest (a nonextant Elemental School) and now a practicing member in good standing of the Elemental School of Fencing will be participating with Brooklyn Tech Knights at the PSAL Fencing playoffs for the season!  Kyu's had a wonderful season going from an average of 5.9 touches per bout in 2009 to 10.1! in 2010.  He's also developed a wicked sense of AIR, as his Fioretta (foil) licks in and out at opponents powered by the springs he calls legs.  Good Luck Kyu! A-Lei!
 

Great Second Session at the Sala D'Armi Della Scuola D'Italia.  We are progressing through the Void and coming to grips with the Earth and Air schools.  Next week, we'll be learning the grip of a Fioretta, and entering into the school of Fire and Water, along with the high parries, the attacks, along with perfecting.  Most importantly (and fun) students will be randomly selecting their Elements.  More to come on that.

The sessions are divided into three sections, during which we stretch/exercise, learn techniques from the The Elemental School of Fencing Treatise on the Use of the Fioretta and cross swords!

At present we have seven signorini learning the fioretta, with more to come (as soon as Soccer season is over!)  The more the merrier.

For Earth, signorini have so far learned balance, the beginnings of finesse of stance and weight, and the all important "Third Point" (A Zarian exclusive ;0 )

For Air, signorini are beginning with the basic linear advance and retreat.

For Fire, we've tried the lunge.  Most interesting to see how this develops as time goes by (and it will, both in speed of execution, from 1.5secs to <1 sec, preferably.)

On the Void, they have picked up the meanings of the Elements as they play out in the martial use of fencing, and the values of the School.  "For family and self, with clarity of spirit, and infinite energy."

Signorini have decided what this means to them;  embracing other students in a spirit of comradeship, helping new students understand concepts, and older ones correct form; fully undestanding why they are doing a technique, and asking when they do not understand;  putting their complete focus into the lessons, and practice at every session.

At the Elemental School of Fencing, (or advanced Sunday program) we continue the romp of the Round Robin.  We are seeing extremely interesting and more complex movements as fencers execute backrolls, binds, disarms and reversals with blinding speed!  We are also starting to finalize the process for the Forms, Technique and Demonstrations to be utilized in our upcoming 2011 tourney!
 

Here's looking forward to your continued inspiration and support.

A-Lei!

Lou Gasco