[Ansteorra-marshals] Rapier marshallate question for Red Tape

[James Crouchet]

Obviously this will take some experimenting but I don't think blindfolding
the other guy belling them both is the right answer. The blind guy has
experience moving without sight but the other guy does not. I agree with
Fiacha, bell the opponent. Perhaps a set of bells on elastic bands (and
probably some other attachment methods too) can be made for the blind guy to
carry with him so when he fights he can ask his opponent to put them on. It
will become part of his kit. I would include different bells for each hand,
bells for the feet, waist, head, and sword hilt. It would be good to have a
noise of some sort coming from the point as well but I can't think of how to
do that without creating something swords will hang up on.

I have holes in some of my hoods over my ears so I can hear. In a mask those
ears are still covered by metal mesh which lets in sound. So the blind guy
will need his equipment adapted for his needs, something he is use to by
now.

I would also suggest the use of a spotter, basically someone to give him
info any sighted person could see.

He should feel the sword frequently until he has memorized it's length,
shape and details. He needs to do point control work against a stationary
object (with a bell someone is ringing or some other way of making noise) so
he can learn to hit his target and what his range is.

Finally, I would want to get him on the field asap to try these things and
see what will work. No doubt adjustments will have to be made.

Drills don't do much to teach until one has a frame of reference on which to
hang that learning. Most of us get at least some of that by watching others
fight before we ever pick up a sword ourselves; he does not have that. Even
with a sighted person my goal is to get them on the field in a sparing match
as soon as they do so safely and have a chance to hit the other person (and
the other person should LET them hit). After that we can go back to drills
and such but with the new frame of reference they learn much quicker and
have a deeper understanding of what they are doing and why. Also, they need
to have a taste of the fun of fighting, even if they do it badly. I think
most of the newbies and all of the youth I work with would walk away after 3
weeks of nothing but drills.

Christian Doré


On Wed, Jul 13, 2011 at 9:30 AM, <fiacha5 at gmail.com> wrote:

>  Years ago on the heavy field I fought a blind fighter.  They didn't wear
> the bells, we did.  That allowed them to know our range and movements.
>
> I'd suggest christmass or slay bells. On each weapon hand and possibly one
> ankle for judging range?
>
> Fiacha the blue.
>
>
> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jay Rudin <rudin at peoplepc.com>
> Sender: ansteorra-marshals-bounces at lists.ansteorra.orgDate: Wed, 13 Jul
> 2011 00:28:57 -0500 (GMT-05:00)
> To: Marshals<ansteorra-marshals at lists.ansteorra.org>
> Reply-To: Jay Rudin <rudin at ev1.net>,
>        Discussion list for all Ansteorran marshals
>        <ansteorra-marshals at lists.ansteorra.org>
> Subject: [Ansteorra-marshals] Rapier marshallate question for Red Tape
>
> I have a question I'd like brought up at the rapier marshal's meeting this
> weekend.
>
> At the Steppes rapier practice, we have a blind would-be youth fencer.
> She'll be eighteen in October, so the youth rules won't apply for long.
>
> She's attended two practices now, and pretty soon we'll have to put a blade
> in her hands. She's held one for footwork drills, but she hasn't crossed
> blades yet.
>
> I know that modern blind fencing involves keeping the blades engaged, but I
> don't know anything beyond that. People have suggested putting bells on the
> tip and/or wrist so she can tell where it is. I tried it with the only small
> blade I had, and it didn't work. I couldn't hear it through the hood and
> mask. So does anybody know what kind of small bells would be loud enough?
>
> If anybody can supply bells loud enough to work, or some other idea, I'd
> love to hear it.
>
> And yes, she's the second blind youth fencer we've had. The first one only
> lasted for three weeks, though, so never progressed past footwork drills.
>
> Robin of Gilwell / Jay Rudin
>
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