The Myth of Control
Why going at high intensity and having perfect control is not physically possible, no matter how much we want it to be.
Hanging Targets is cheating!
Hanging targets for test cutting doesn’t give any sort of realistic impression of what a sword would actually do. Take my word for it, or read to find out why.
Physics, Push-Pull with the longsword, bad cuts…. and you!
If you have had (good) formal instruction on longsword cutting mechanics, you would have been informed that you don’t want to create a levering action between your two hands. Here’s why.
Non Zero-Sum Concepts in Tournament Rulesets
The more I think about tournament rules, the more it becomes apparent to me that a zero-sum solution to scoring will never get us the results we want. Also: lemon pie.
Rotational (Spinny) & Translational (Straight-ey) Motion & Swords
There are two different ways that things move: translationally and rotationally. If the big words scare you, think ‘straight’ and ‘spinny’.
Doubles per Exchange and the Afterblow
The afterblow is supposed to make fighters act with more concern for their safety. But whether it does or not is a different story. Lets have a look at the problem with the power of math.
How Much Does Participant Skill Affect Overall Behavior
A follow up to “How Much Does Initial Point Value Discourage Safe Attacks?” in which I sort the results based on participant skill.
Force vs Pressure
Does “It only takes 4 ounces of pressure for a sword thrust to pierce the body” make sense to you? Because from a physics standpoint it’s nonsense!
How Much Does Initial Point Value Discourage Safe Attacks?
I recently came across a statement to the effect of “Having a 4 point target with only 1 point deducted for afterblow is too little. No matter what you still get 3 points and it doesn’t encourage the fighter to protect themselves.”
Center of Percussion? Vibration Node? Balance Point? What does it all mean?
Learn a little more about some of the physical properties of swords, and why you are probably using terms like ‘Center of Percussion’ incorrectly.