How can I teach myself sword fighting?

Question

I want to teach myself how to sword fight, one of my friends wants to learn too. Can you give me some websites that might help me out? Also, what happens if both of the fighters attack in two different places at the same time? For example, what if one of the fighters aims for the head, while at the same time, another fighter aims for the leg?

Answer 1

Start by adopting the nickname "Lefty" because that's how you'll end up if you start playing with swords and no instruction.

Answer 2

What type?

I mean, there's recently been a revival of interest in the German school of fencing and Renaissance fencing, which people have been teaching themselves from old manuals that are being translated.

Kenjutsu, Iaijutsu, Battoujutsu... Well, I wouldn't recommend trying to learn on your own. Too many subtle nuances. The difference is really amazing between the trained person and the untrained... You'll see videos of guy who swear their self-taught and been training for years and be, "What is this? Did they watch Highlander too many times?" Then you see videos of guys like Kuroda Tetsuzan and wonder, "Dude... Did he even move?"

Don't be foolish: Leave the sharpened metal swords for decorations or professionals. Start with a waster or a bokken, then move up to unsharpened metal (and realize all these things can still injure, maim, or kill another person).

As for what happens when you both attack different spots at once, you both get hit. That's not terribly hard to figure out. If you examine your scenario, one of those two is probably going to die. Generally, one will attempt to alter the course of his swing (usually the least committed) to intercept the attack.

Answer 3

"For example, what if one of the fighters aims for the head, while at the same time, another fighter aims for the leg?"

I'll answer this question first. Considering that you and your friend are not trained (and I am guessing as such that the theoretical fighters mentioned are you guys), you'll probably take each other out.  Ai-uchi it is called in Japanese.

Get training at a school, NOT ONLINE. You won't learn anything. Use the money you would use on cheap swords and training tools for proper instruction. If there are no sword schools in your area (iaido, kendo, gumdo, something like those) broaden your search to stage fighting class at theatre schools or local Renaissance community groups.  

Answer 4

well if yousing real swords one loses their head the other their leg.

if sparring for points and they hit at the same time its up to you niether gets a point or both get points or the one who hit the head wins.

Answer 5

You cannot teach your self to sword fight. Chances are you are likely to be a danger to yourself and others. If you really want to learn go to a good instructor.

Would you teach yourself to skydive?

Answer 6

just go practice on your buddies

youll learn it just takes some practice

Answer 7

Watching a lot of action movies can help. Especially Jackie Chan. lol. That's how I learned a lot of fighting techniques.