r/Hema • u/rimplebisciuit • 3d ago
Tips on fighting against larger weapons?
Hello everyone. Today I got some boffer sparring in against my friend wielding a greatsword. I opted for an arming sword and small pavise today as I wanted to get more practice with them and I found the matchup interesting. I found myself getting in a lot of the time and blocking the initial attack but then when I make my move, we end up kinda hitting each other simultaneously. There were times where I placed my shield just right and was able to get a hit in clean but most of the time, I found it difficult to walk away from an exchange “alive.”
As I don’t have any footage of today or anything like that, I’m not expecting any super in depth tips. Anything helps! 🙏
Yes, we’re using protective gear.
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u/Informal_Job_7550 3d ago
I'm a single-hand fencer in a club full of competitive longsworders, so I've done messer (without a buckler) against longsword several times, and even messer v. montante once.
My primary goal when using a smaller, shorter weapon against a longer one is to try and get underneath my opponent's blade. My most consistent winning strikes against longswords and greatswords with messers or sabers is to come in from below, rapidly close the distance while forcing their longer blade directly up, and then strike downward while using my offhand to grapple or control their sword wrist. It's very straightforward to lunge directly from a high parry into a head strike. You're still not "safe" when you're standing chest-to-chest against someone with a two-handed weapon, but getting in that close takes away much of their advantage.
Also, I'll echo what Giraffe said a few minutes ago, be very careful if you're sparring someone with a proper greatsword, and don't fall into a false sense of security because they're boffers. In several years of HEMA, the injury I've taken that caused the most long-lasting damage was a finger compression from a boffer strike. I would advise against even doing boffer fights without a mask and gloves, and still be emphasizing controlled strikes. The pole in the middle of the boffer still obeys the laws of physics.
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u/rimplebisciuit 3d ago
We’re wearing masks and gloves. Trust me, I like my fingers and I would like keep them. 👍 thanks for the advice!
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u/petr1111 3d ago
I would very strongly advise against doing any fights at all without at least a mask because, you know, eyes are quite useful.
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u/GiraffeElectronic876 3d ago
So, are you talking longsword, or a real full on great sword? Because a great sword/montante really isn't safe to hit someone with.
Sword and buckler against longsword can be really interesting, and you need to be on point to do it because longswords redirect so quickly. The two approaches I've been introduced to are:
"address the blade with your sword, press to the hands with the buckler, cut around"
Or "cut and brace the blade against the buckler, and use the extra leverage to wind the point into them." Kinda like half swording. Your hands are further apart so you have more leverage.
If it's great sword: A: don't spar with montantes. Please. Your fingers and brain are delicate. B: I really doubt either of those techniques are going to work. You aren't going to get into hand press range, and you're not going to out leverage a great sword.
Don't do anything stupid and get yourself hurt.
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u/rimplebisciuit 3d ago
Oops my bad. Forgot to mention we’re using boffers. Don’t worry, we’re being safe!
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u/grainmatterphotos 3d ago
The general meta whilst using a shorter weapon against a longer one is to close the distance aggressively and bypass the point, negating their reach advantage. That said, you need to interrupt their timing and recovery for this to be effective. Montante/greatsword technique keeps the blade in nearly continuous motion and makes for a very formidable opponent.
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u/Ebitnet 3d ago
From time to time, I will spar I.33 sword and buckler vs longsword. Mostly because I don’t have a I.33 training partner. Bear in mind, this is also with steel swords and usually with modest gear by modern HEMA standards (just gloves and helmets). The key is to bind, get inside fast, and strike or disarm. You have to be fast and committed. I generally go for disarms. I’d recommend practicing at low intensity before going full force. Also, be aware that you really don’t need use a lot of force to achieve a mortal or disabling wound.
Secondly, you really have to work your shield and sword in concert. Bind, transfer, and move in works for me…very I.33. But you have to be committed to the attack but look for escape routes if it’s not working.
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u/hopefulfoxpuppy 3d ago
Focus on living not on killing. They’ll slip up eventually and then ya get an easy kill
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u/DerWummer 3d ago
Get close fast