What's Next?

Greetings,

Much has been posted on this blog and others about weapon forms and what we should be doing about training and a myriad of other topics. These topics are all important and should have not paid to them, however there is another topic which needs addressing. A school curriculum is only so long and the completion of such a curriculum is important and an achievement of note, however the question remains when this curriculum is completed... what's next?

A good school will teach the basics in a formal or at least semi-formal manner in order that the student can build their skills gradually. Regardless of the weapon form chosen, this process will teach the student the basic operations of the weapon and set a foundation for the student in order that they can participate in the martial aspects of the school. Once this foundation is laid then the student will, or should, after a while, ask "What's next?"

So the student will progress on to more advanced techniques. These may involve more advanced techniques on the same weapon and/or may include the addition of other weapons. Once again, based on the foundation laid in the beginnings of training, the skills of the student will develop. This is the purpose of the training at this point in time to develop and hone the skills. This will, no doubt, take ...

The rest of this article can be found in Un-Blogged: A Fencer's Ramblings by Henry Walker, which is available in paperback from:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Blogged-Ramblings-Henry-Leigh-Walker/dp/098764470X
Booktopia: https://www.booktopia.com.au/un-blogged-henry-leigh-walker/book/9780987644701.html
Among other places...

It is also available in electronic format (pdf) from: https://buy.stripe.com/fZecP419c7CB9VKeUV

... or direct from the author.