Easiest type of sword fighting to learn for beginners?

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Published 2017-05-22

Here Lucy Easton (Schola Gladiatoria SG5) and Matt Easton (Schola Gladiatoria SG1) consider which type of sword style is easiest to learn for beginners - specifically over the course of the first two months
Sword fighting can be harder or easier to learn based on many factors, such as the weapon type, the system being studied and the teaching method.
This is NOT a statement of what styles of swordsmanship are 'best', or what you should do. Every person wanting to get into HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) should choose based on their own preferences.
Also, every person's experience in this will be different - some people prefer certain weapons and styles, some people find some weapons come more naturally to them than others. Not all people are the same of course.
Schola Gladiatoria swordsmanship schools: www.fioredeiliberi.org/

All Comments (21)

@alexanderlindstrom01 7 years ago

"If you can fit two hands on your weapon then you're doing pretty well." She got it.
@storyspren 7 years ago

Matt: "We're not insulting the katana..." Lucy: "We could, but we're not." xD
@shadiversity 7 years ago

The discussion between the both of you is great, Lucy really knows her stuff! In regards to this topic I've recently started to teach my wife longsword and it's amazing the things that I took for granted that a novice finds particularly complex. It's been very eye opening. In case anyone missed the most significant part of this comment I'll point it out, MY WIFE IS LEARNING HOW TO USE A SWORD, WOOT! only took me eight years. As they say, couples who sword together stay together, or at least know how to disembowel each other. . .
@isildu 7 years ago

Is that a swordless piece of wall in the Eastom home?
@Pawnce 7 years ago

The Basket-Hilted Two-Handed Smallsword: Ultimate Noob Weapon
@bandswithbards1973 7 years ago

I laughed more than I should have when he said neither of them is a rapierist
@thebobbytytesvarrietyhour4168 7 years ago

Having done both smallsword and rapier, I have noticed that with the lighter sword, people can abuse the lack of weight to get away with improper technique by flailing. For actual sparing, I find giving the newcomer the less forgiving weapon helps them learn better.
@Blake_Stone 7 years ago

0:12 - Lucy you realise that by the laws of Youtube you are now obligated to start a channel called "Sortagladiatoria"?
@KnightSquire 7 years ago

YOU FOOLISH FOOLS! The easiest sword style is movie style... hit your opponents sword a few times throw in a twirl and go home the victor. DUH!!
@CarnalKid 7 years ago

YAY, LUCY!
@alanaubryknight 5 years ago

I am Deaf! you do such a good job on so many of your videos making sure they are closed captioned. Will you please review and see if cc is still an option? Deaf people like this stuff too!!! And you being one of the most looked up to researchers in this field, we need that information from you rather than a walmart sofa armchair self proclaimed expert! Lol. Thanks!
@nullunit 7 years ago

She waits patiently and watches him, waiting to pounce... Seriously though., relationship goals. I like you guys together.
@gslinger19 7 years ago

Lucy's face expressions during phrases like "Neither Lucy nor I are rapierists" are pretty damn funny. Maybe I imagined that one. Either way I like when you guys do vids together.
@Brashnir 5 years ago

Really love Lucy's inputs in this video, and think she raises some excellent complementary points. Looks like you two made excellent choices when you picked each other.
@lancerd4934 7 years ago

I haven't seen the video yet, but I'm gonna go ahead and say "cutlass". Linear footwork, 1 engaging guard, 2 cuts, 4 parries, and 1 riposte. You can teach the entire system in one afternoon, and then it's just practice, practice, practice.
@willek1335 7 years ago

Matt, your wife is a good co-host. BTW: Can we please see you two spar?
@Master...deBater 6 years ago

Wow...Lucy's smile could bring the sun up in the morning!!!
@andrewkgsmith 7 years ago

You're a lovely couple, when will you have a mixed tag team match with Skall and Kara? Haha
@indy2867 3 years ago

I'm SO glad you mention not just "fitness" but specialized fitness. If you're question is "what can you learn in two months" then I think the answer is REALLY posture and movement. Work on getting the posture of a horse rider, or a classical dancer first. Then work on being able to squat and lunge without losing that posture. Separate your upper body and lower body. The upper body makes certain shapes, and smoothly transitions between various shapes. The legs are the mobile platform that moves that upper body around, in both the horizontal AND VERTICAL planes. You would be absolutely better served doing just that for two months, but students don't sign up for class to work on posture, they (quite understandebly) want to fight with swords.
@elioamedeo 7 years ago

You know your italian pronunciation wasn't really bad until you did that weird super Mario accent XD Great video as always