Some Russian's fighting with steel swords...

[Inigo]

Ouch

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SjwZO9gd_Ow&feature=related

I wish someone would put classical music in the background...

[Anyad]

Having those swords slung across the shoulders in an oh so nonchalant way is asking for an eye out.

Also highlights the dangers that the dead can pose on the battlefield. A good lesson of "dying" under your shield, lest someone tread on your head.

[Oskar der Drachen]

Looks like good fun, and the armor standard is high. Belting with that steel though. It looks like an SCA blow standard, these guys were striking with force! All those bare necks (shudder) especially that dude with the pot helm. 10 from 10 for bravery, 2 from 10 for good sense.

Not for me.

Oskar

[kiwifruitbat]

For those thinking that the blows aren't near full strength... look carefully near the end of the clip at the guy fighting with the WWI style helmet - the one that looks like a dinner plate - the same type Julz wears (yes, I've forgotten it's name).

A seemingly casual blow from another fighter puts a stonking big dent in the rim.

This means one of 2 things:

1/ the helm is what we would consider barely safe grade (is thick aluminium acceptable for a helm rim? I'm 99% sure it's not), or
2/ Those blows are anything but light.

Thoughts?

Plus you may note a few fighters limping slightly - though that may be simulated injuries. And none of those blows looked pulled.

EDIT - the Pot Helm iswhat I was talking about.

[Stuart]

I think the Russians can teach a thing or two about the essentials of aggressive shield work.
The fighting technique is very simular that that used in the 1970s & 80s by the Medieval Combat Society and the old Norse Film & Pagant Society. It`s not for wimps.

[gt1cm2]

Ok, try this clip then. Reenactment of the Battle of Grunwald (Tannenberg)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-YWatfw3n4

The guy I've been speaking to in Poland says 2-3 usually go off to hospital.

[Stuart]

-and how many took the field ?

[BigMac]

Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. little to no technique poor posture and balance. No idea of distance or timing let alone co-ordination and battlefield awareness.

And no point work or thrusts to speak of.

Reminds me of Ice hockey brawls on ESPN

Basically thugs at play. Never give a peasent a sword

TTFN
Bigmac

[Stuart]

No, these are warriors who know what they are doing and deserve more respect.

-and your overseas fighting experience is what ?

No european re-enactment groups do thrusts for general combat.

You may not like what the Russians and Poles do, but they are running large-scale events and seem to have reasonable standards of armour and fighting. The marshals are doing their jobs properly.
There is something to learn here.

[kiwifruitbat]

to the battlefield- that was very well done. There was good battlefield awareness, no-one got stepped on that I could see, if someone died and it did not look safe to fall down, then they knelt and people avoided them... and as soon as possible the kneeler lay down.

There were some who let their technique slide a little, but they kept themselves very safe throughout.

As for aggressive shield-work, yes I agree, though it would also have to be to a very safe level - intra-club not a problem. The catch is (as always) when you go inter-club. The second video listed also shows some aggressive shield work but not with the same level of gung-ho of the first video. People were far more aware of what they were doing, how they were doing it.

And weapons were kept far safer than before.

[Gerard Kraay]

[Stuart]

The point here is that the Poles and Russians are using their shields and swords to ward off significant head blows.
-something that New Zealand fighters ( while wearing silly fencing masks ) can`t do..

As I mentioned, your persoanl experience of overseas combat is ...?

Thrusting is forbidden in most Euro re-enactments and going a thrust is likely to get you banned from the field.

[Carl]

[Stuart]

I make no secret of my dislike for head blows and especially thrusts to the head. My disapproval of headblows does not extend to calling the Russians and Poles " thugs with swords" . I consider such remarks to be quite inappropiate.
They are highly skilled warriors and deserve our respect.

-Again, your experience of European combat is what...?
Come on, we are waiting.

[Gerard Kraay]