Swordplay

[selenite0]

We gave Jamie a pair of boffer swords for Christmas. They haven't been out all the time--this is the kind of toy you only want the kids to have when you've got the energy to deal with damage control. But we've had some fun with them.

The other day Jamie was napping and Maggie wanted to play boffers with me. So we started swinging the swords at each other. Well, I swung--gently--at her. She waved hers around randomly. So I spent some time explaining parries and slowly moving my sword in to tap her stomach so she'd have a chance to block it. Made a little bit of progress.

Then she went down for her nap and Jamie got up. I gave him a turn with the boffers. No need to teach him about parries, he was instinctively batting at my sword whenever it came near him. Not that he was good at it--once he pulled a belly shot into his cheek. But he had the right attitude.

celticdragonfly was looking at Maggie waving the boffer as she charged across the living room shouting "Here I come! Here I come!" and explained it. Maggie is the B-movie actress going through the motions while waiting for the stunt double to take over. Jamie is the stuntman. It explains Maggie's stance--she wants to make sure the camera gets her good side.

Comments

[kd5mdk.livejournal.com]

Are you treating them as edged or point weapons?

[selenite.livejournal.com]

Both, for now. I don't think they'll be able to grasp the distinction for a while longer. Eventually I'll explain they're just supposed to use the edge, and then introduce them to shield work . . .

[electorprince.livejournal.com]

Get them into Florentine and you won't have to worry about getting them shields.

[kd5mdk.livejournal.com]

What's wrong with thrusting weapons? A good cut or slash is an important element, but there's no reason not to have a sharp tip too.

[selenite.livejournal.com]

I like shields. Plus I've already got some foam rubber shields from LegoLand for them.

[selenite.livejournal.com]

If they go into the SCA, I don't want them hanging out with the Wrong Crowd. ;-)

[carbonelle.livejournal.com]

V. cute!