Basic Exercises of the Highland Broadsword

[emrullah2333]

practically awesome

[shamisenfoil]

I was wondering on which treaties is the Highland Broadsword based ?

[gilbride100]

@shamisenfoil Angelo's Highland Broadsword posters, Mathewson's "Fencing Familiarized," the Anti-Pugilism manual, MacGregor's lecture and others.

[BruderAntonellus]

whats the difference between the second and the third thrust? is it just that minimal difference in the position of the hand?

[lofny]

Excellent Chris! I've been wanting to add broadsword for a while now to our school. If I ever pull my head out of my ass I'll have you come down if you have the time. Thanks for posting. Cheers, Todd Lake Ontario Fechtschule

[gilbride100]

@lofny Sounds great, and thanks for your comment!

[hammeylove]

I have had a love of swords since I was a Child, I have walls coverd with Katanas, and broadswords, I have studied Japanise styles for years, looking to get back to my Celtic roots with the Broadsword.

[Prospro8]

Fascinating primer.  Thanks for the tips.

[GibbsasaurusRex]

Fighting with a broadsword was supposed to be fast, deadly, and devastating. this is just fencing with a broadsword. disappointed.

[Prospro8]

@GibbsasaurusRex

You're missing the point. These are military exercises, traditional, aimed at a basic drill that familiarises the learner with the stances and tool. Only when these are all mastered can people begin to think intuitively. You practise these till they're automatic, then you fence with a partner and only then will you learn how to be 'devastating'. It's not aadolescent entertainment, it's a skill and an art for gents who can be trusted safely. . .

[gilbride100]

@GibbsasaurusRex

So, you know absolutely nothing about historical broadsword fencing or any other kind of swordsmanship, but felt it necessary to share your unqualified opinion?

[lofny]

@GibbsasaurusRex wrong but why not post a video of you showing us? And show the resources as well?

[monojakejake]

I notice the change of the knuckless in the thrusts but, which is the purpose of the 2nd and the 3rd?

[TheDorkan]

hey ninja where are you from, i training sabre too. We have European Cup this weekend in Godollo, in the Hungary

[DarkNinjaRichter]

Alright, thanks.

[DarkNinjaRichter]

I try combining this with my Sabre lessons, since they seem a bit similar, only some sabre doesn't teach cuts to legs. I've incorporated a lot of other swords styles to the main one i'm learning. so far, it works pretty well, I just need to learn to avoid with my body instead of blocking all the time, do you know any excercise for something like that?

[gilbride100]

Just have your training partner cut at your legs while you avoid and countercut to his head or arm. Repeat as many times as you can stand it.

[rinjimaikeru]

Anytime I see the first set of an exercise start with "Cut to the Head" my heart warms a little. Looks like you guys are headed the right direction! Keep up the good work!

[gilbride100]

Spoken like a Highlander!

[macdeath69]

what's the music please ? i like this a lot.

Oh, and those sword's exercises ar awesome too.

[gilbride100]

Thanks. Music is by Mary Jane Lamond.

[hannigan06]

Its really easier I think than demonstrated in this video. Its still apart of your body the sword.

[gilbride100]

I'm not really sure what you're trying to say here, but these are the basic historical exercises of this style of swordsmanship. The sword is definitely not part of your body, it's a tool that one must learn to use skillfully through a logical and coherent method.

[Shomolog]

Very cool video!

Def like this style.

[jingwu42]

whats the song called?

[gilbride100]

Sorry, I am not at home and just don't have time to look up that info- I work from home, have a new baby, and am very busy! If you like the song, order the CD from the band- info is given at end of video.

[TheAnonymouse]

Excellent footwork and everything. Only thing is, I disagree with the second and sixth cuts, because it seems to me that they end with the wielder's elbow locked, which I believe is not good. Anybody have an explanation?

[gilbride100]

Thanks! Do you mean that you disagree with our interpretation, or with the cuts as described in the manual itself? In any case, they don't always end with the elbow locked, it just depends on how you do the cut.

[TheAnonymouse]

Well, I love cuts 1,3-5, and 7! What I'm saying is that it seems to me that a cut should never end with the elbow locked. Is there a reason or explanation of some sort for that in this style?

[gilbride100]

Not exactly- the cuts just cover all the most likely angles for a possible attack. In the exercise, you might carry cut 2 or 6 through to its furthest extent (which would lock the elbow) but in a real bout that would basically never happen. You would stop the cut (if it neither landed nor was blocked) in a guard position. For instance, cut 2 from the inside guard would stop at the outside guard. In the early stages of training, though, you make all the cuts much bigger to learn to cut with power

[TheAnonymouse]

K thanks, man. See, that was totally a good explanation. Just what I was looking for. See, this is how people deal with things in a civilized manner, on youtube.

[guiltybystander77]

i have several questions: where can i find more on highlander swordsmanship and is the only difference between thrusts 2 and 3 that the flat of the blade is parallel or perpendicular to the ground? (if so, what purpose does this serve?)

[battobum]

I just wish they'd wear their kilts correctly- they wear them too low. The sword stu itself is good.

[Ryuzokuval]

Honestly, I do wear it higher most of the time. Its just after doing any of the activities depicted in the video, it inevitably shimmies down. The only way to avoid this is to wear the belt a notch tighter, and that just ends hurting.

I guess Fighting and the correct way to wear something do not always work together.

[battobum]

What make of kilt do you wear? I've found the real traditional cut [high waist and three buckles] tends to be quite stable. I noticed that my two buckle [trouser waist] job has a tendency wander downwards!Also wearing a wide sword belt might help, like the Highland dress 2 1/2 inch beast.Good luck in your training!

[tsafa1]

Excellent video. Five Stars.

Is Highland Broadsword every used with an off-hand weapon? Buckler, dagger, cape, two-sword??? If so I would like to see a demonstration of those forms too.

[gilbride100]

Thank you. The broadsword can indeed be used with an off-hand weapon such as the targe, buckler, dagger or even a second sword. See "The MacGregor Method" video for an example of our two-sword work.

[woood29]

I don't know the first thing about fencing (well I know by which end to take the sword, does that count ?), yet your demonstration is very clear to my eyes... Just one point I'd like to clarify : the difference between the second and the third thrust is that in the second the blade is held horizontally, and in the third vertically, am I correct ?

[gilbride100]

Correct- in the first thrust, the knuckles are pointed up, in the second they are to the right, in the third they are down.

[swordnerd108]

What is that amazing song?

[gilbride100]

It's "Mo Mhaili Bheag Og," as recorded by Mary Jane Lamond.

[masterorca]

In the segment demonstrating guards and cuts, is that a Hanwei Practical Mortuary? If so, how has it held up for you? Thanks.

[gilbride100]

Yes, that's a Hanwei Practical Mortuary. It's a decent light training weapon for the broadsword, although I did have one break at the tang last year.

[entmage]

It more easy to see it than to read it and try to figure what they are talking about.