Training Journal

A journal of my martial arts training

Tag: steel

  • WCoS

    , , , , ,

    Class with Jesse, Bryce, and Miriam. First class of 2026, stretch followed by requirements. I reviewed each student as well as going through all of my own requirements with Jesse. For each of them, we discussed what requirements they are lacking for their next rank and what we need to be working on with them over the next 3 – 6 months. During the break, we reviewed some of the various rank requirements. In particular, Miriam needs more matches, Bryce needs matches, dagger throwing, dodging 2, and a couple more moves, and Jesse needs one more move and his 20 minute non-stop. The first half ran long, so in the second half we only got in 100 full circle cuts (myself 2H steel), a few rounds of Refined Strikes, and one round of unarmored switch parry for each of them.

    Temp was around 40 degrees and not raining.

  • WCoS

    , , , ,

    Class with Jesse, Bryce, and Miriam. Stretch and requirements, then a review of The Mantis. After the break, we did 100 cuts (myself 2H steel), several rounds of Adv Response Training, and finished with a few rounds of Blind Man’s Boffer, the final set being with 2 lives.

    This concludes 2025 classes, they will resume early 2026.

  • WCoS

    , , , ,

    Class with Jesse and Miriam. Requirements and a study session on The I Move. During the break we armored up and got in 21 one-on-one sparring matches (Jesse and I using steel for ours, of course).

  • WCoS

    , , , , ,

    Class with Jesse, Bryce, and Miriam. Stretch and requirements (I reviewed Miriam’s Green Braid requirements, matching her). Study session on Jumping Tiger 2. Break. 100 continuous full circle cuts (myself 2H steel). Several rounds of Refined Strikes. We finished the night with a long session of gourd cutting, as is tradition after Halloween. I alternately used my bear pommeled HNH, a couple different 1H, my katana, and my saw bladed axe (all blunted steel). We started with stationary targets at roughly head height, then moved on to cut the chunks tossed at us.

  • WCOS

    , , , ,

    Class with Jesse and Miriam. Stretch and then reviewed some of Jesse’s requirements, followed by all of Miriam’s requirements. We all did a study on The Mantis. After a break, we did our 100 full circle cuts (me 2H steel) followed by a few rounds of Refined Strikes. We did a few sets of Advanced Response Training and finished with one round each of me with Jesse and then Miriam for Add-On.

  • WCoS

    , , , , ,

    Class with Bryce and Miriam. Stretch and requirements. Worked on Miriam’s two handed technique, reviewed Bryce’s practiced moves including his 13th move. We did a study on Jumping Tiger 1 and then took a break.

    In the second half we started with 100 full circle cuts (me 2H steel). We then had a few rounds of Refined Strikes. We finished with a combo gambit of Balance 1 & 2 with refined strikes pels intermixed along the course.

  • WCoS

    , , , ,

    Class with Jesse and Miriam. Stretch and requirements.

    I worked with Miriam first, trying her on a 2 handed style to see if it will work out better for her. Its a bit late, she was so close to green braid, but I think it will be better for her in the long run, and so far she was positive about it.

    I then worked with Jesse to review any of his sword+dagger technique that he had questions on.

    As a class, we did a study/review on Mantis.

    After a break, we did 100 full circle cuts (me 2H steel), some rounds of Refined Strikes, and finished with multi-opponent pel gambit.

  • WCOS

    , , , ,

    Class with Bryce. Stretch and our respective requirements. 100 full circle cuts (me 2H steel). Refined Strikes, Advanced Response training, multi-opponent pel gambits.

  • WCoS

    , , , ,

    Class with Jesse and Miriam. Reviewed Miriam’s requirements to bring her back up to speed since her hiatus, reviewed much of Jesse’s one handed requirements. We did a study session on The Tradition.

    After the break, we had 100 continuous cuts (me 2H steel), some rounds of Refined Strikes, and some rounds of Advanced Response Training. I wrapped up with a couple Move Builders.

  • WCoS

    , , , , ,

    Class with Jesse and Bryce. Had them go through requirements (Jesse chose to go through his second style 1-handed white rope reqs) while I went through mine solo. We then did a study of Double Chop, including discussing outside vs inside leg targets, merits and drawbacks when performed by a 1-hander, and some factors when bringing an off-hand dagger or shield into it.

    After the break we did 100 full circle cuts with our steel, a few rounds of Refined Strikes, several rounds of Advanced Response Training, and spent a while on a relatively short course of Balance 1 & 2.

    I wrapped up by introducing sword drawing techniques as taught by Myo Sim Kendo, with discussion on how they can be adapted to the blades Jesse and Bryce are using.

  • WCoS

    , , , , ,

    Class with Bryce. Our respective requirements full through. Skills & drills in the second half including 100 full circle cuts with steel and Balance 1 & 2.

  • WCoS

    , , , ,

    Class with Jesse. Our respective requirements full through. Skills and drills in the second half including 100 continuous full circle cuts with our steel.

  • WCoS

    , , , ,

    Class with Bryce. Stretch and our respective requirements. Spent some time drilling on Kata Ni. After the break, started with 50 continuous full circle cuts (steel, myself 2H). Several rounds of Refined Strikes, then Add-On, and finished with some unarmored parry.

  • WCoS Event – Best of the Best 2025

    , , ,

    I traveled to Half Moon Bay for this years Best of the Best tournament. Last year I had a strategy of matching my opponent’s style, i.e. if they were fighting with a two handed weapon, I did too (bastard sword), or if they fought with two weapons, I did (sword + dagger), or they fought one handed so did I. It worked okay, but I had a really poor overall win/loss ratio. This year I decided to just stick to my original, primary style, two handed bastard (aka hand and a half) sword. I’ll edit once I have stats, but I believe I did better than last year, at least.

  • WCoS

    , , , ,

    Class with Bryce and Rakta Nadi. Stretch and requirements (paired them and I soloed). Instructed Rakta Nadi on Jodan and advanced blocks (adv neck and thrust), reviewing for Bryce. After a break, we did 50 continuous full circle cuts with steel (myself 2h), then a few sets of refined strikes against the pels. Next was a several rounds of Advanced Response training, and we finished with a couple rounds of Add-On and one more of 2-attack Add-On.

  • WCOS

    , , , ,

    Class with Rakta Nadi. Stretch and our respective requirements. Worked on updating a couple of his moves, Thorn and Akira, to better incorporate his offhand weapon. Reviewed Kata Ich a bit. Added his full complement of Chop Cuts.

    After a break, we did 100 continuous full circle cuts (myself 2H steel), then we did an additional 50 for both of us wielding offensive-defense 2 sword (bokken). Next was several rounds of Advanced Response Training. We moved to a couple rounds of Refined Strikes against the pells, then a couple rounds of Refined Strikes targeting each other. We wrapped up with a couple rounds of Add-On.

  • WCoS

    , , , , ,

    Class with Bryce. Stretch and our respective requirements. Drilled a bit more on Kata Ni. After the break, 50 continuous full circle cuts with steel (myself 2H), several rounds of advanced response training (boffer), some Balance 1 one-attack Parry with six square cabers in an asterisk pattern (and boffers), and several rounds of Add-On starting with Bryce’s sword+shield and my sword+dagger and ending with Bryce 1H vs my 2H.

  • WCoS

    , , , ,

    Class with Bryce. Stretch and our respective requirements. I used my one-hander tonight for nearly everything. We spent a little extra time on reviewing Kata Ni, and I discussed a little about building on the basics of Akira and Defense cut now, changing them from the 1-2 mentality into just a single movement, i.e. “a modified neck cut” (footwork, timing).

    After a break, we started with 50 steel continuous full circle cuts (mine 2H), then several rounds of boffer sword + dagger Active Response Training and Active Response Parry. Moved on to a few rounds of Refined Strikes against the pels to allow a faster pace with light contact, followed by partner Refined Strikes and then the new Refined Strikes with active defensive stance.

  • WCoS

    , , , ,

    Class with Bryce. Stretch and our respective requirements. I was using my true long sword for most of tonight, including requirements. We worked a bit extra on Kata Ni and then took a break.

    After the break, we started with 50 full circle cuts with our steel (myself 2H), then some rounds of Refined Strikes. I tried out a new variant tonight, with uke starting in defensive stance and then the the partner performing the refined strikes may incorporate blade controlling techniques to move it, after which the uke slowly returns to defensive stance. It worked nicely. We then did some multi opponent (target) drills with four of the pels, first in a trapezoid phalanx arrangement, then in an encirclement crescent. We finished with several rounds of Add-On.

  • WCOS

    , , , , ,

    Class with Bryce. Stretch and our respective full requirements. I then covered Advanced Neck Block as well as reviewed the Advanced Thrust Block. After the break, I examined Bryce’s steel and offered some observations and tips, then we did 50 continuous full circle cuts with steel (myself 2H), starting Bryce on his initial solo steel work. Next I instructed him on Kata Ni, after which we does several rounds of Silent Bokken and Unarmored Parry. I switched between 1H and 2H to cover both styles.

    I was really tired and feeling unmotivated before class, and I always appreciate how when I’m feeling that way, but I have to hold class regardless, once I get into actually running class, I most often feel a lot better. It is a testament to pushing yourself to do the thing even if you’re not feeling it because often it will help you feel better.

    (The last two weeks class was canceled, no students)

  • WCoS

    , , , ,

    Class with Bryce (late) and Chris. Stretch and requirements. Went over Jodan and Chop Cuts with Bryce for his new requirements. As a class we reviewed Double Chop.

    After the break, we did 100 full circle cuts (myself 2H steel), then did some multi-opponent Refined Strikes and multi-opponent defense. Wrapped up with some move builder.

    (no class last week, no students)

  • WCOS

    , , , , ,

    Class with Bryce and Chris. I worked with Chris on Cutting Pattern 2 initially, then he and Bryce paired for requirements while I worked solo and observed. We worked on Defense Cut, a new move for Chris. After a break, we did 100 full circle cuts (myself 2H steel), a few rounds of Refined Strikes, and some pel gauntlet. We finished with Balance 1 and 2.

  • WCoS

    , , , ,

    Class with Chris and Miriam. Stretch and then I reviewed each of their requirements. I then instructed on Double Thrust, a new move for each of them. After the break, we did 100 continuous full circle cuts (myself 2H Steel), advanced response training, refined strikes, pel gauntlets, and finished with Move Builder.

  • WCOS

    , , , , ,

    Class with Chris. Stretch and then we went through our respective full requirements. I then instructed him on Warriors Stance and Whispering Wind (Green Braid version, essentially reverse JT2).

    After a break, we did 100 continuous full circle cuts (myself 2H steel), Refined Strikes, unarmored parry, and finished with Silent Bokken.

  • WCoS

    , , , ,

    Opening class of 2025 with Jesse, Bryce, Rakta Nadi, Chris, Aaliyah, and Miriam. Stretch and requirements followed by a focus study on The Mantis. During the break we reviewed protective gear and armor, making sure everyone would be ready for this weekend’s event, and discussed carpooling. After we bowed in for the second half, we started with 100 continuous full circle cuts (Jesse and I with 2H steel), then I discussed melees and the upcoming event in general since this will be a new thing for Chris, Miriam, and Aaliyah. We wrapped up formal class with several rounds of Refined Strikes. Afterward I helped Aaliyah with prep work for her new helmet’s grill and Miriam with rounding and padding the corners on her cuirass.