Now you can learn German longsword through online classes

Now you can learn German longsword through online classes

February 24, 2016

Aaron and Josh of Sword Carolina show a strike to students.

If one travels in Nerd circles, it is nearly impossible not to notice the growing interest in Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) and similar organizations, especially concerning the longsword. YouTube is brimming with videos of competitions and training and related product reviews. Many geek-related festivals will have a place set aside where armored and unarmored figures alike jab away with rapiers and longswords. And most cities of any size have at least one or two local martial arts groups focusing upon the European arts.

But how to get started? If you’re lucky enough to live near a HEMA group, usually all you have to do is drop by, meet the instructors, and sign up for the classes.

However, if there is no such group or organization near where you live, or for some other reason you find it challenging to travel or maybe even leave the house, there is another option.

Online longsword classes are relatively new, but they are becoming more common, and they can be a perfect option for those unable to attend actual training classes.

It’s true if you spend time exploring YouTube, you can find plenty of training videos and the like, but nearly all of them are done without extensive instruction, and it can be difficult to tell which exercises are for beginners and which are for more experienced practitioners. Also, a number of books are available which can help teach the appropriate skills, but it can be difficult to tell how guard positions and moves are to work from mere text and photos. Structure is needed for the student, and this is where online courses can help you learn the basics of historical martial arts.

Longsword on the go

To those ends, Sword Carolina of Greenville County, South Carolina, now offers its online HEMA school through videos. For only $15 a month, you can pick up the basics from instructor Aaron Shober, delve into more detailed studies, follow along with drills and exercises, and more. Really, the level of study which you wish to reach is up to you. The focus here is upon the German Longsword, but other weapons and skills are studied. Beginners and those who are more experienced alike can find something here.

If you feel you are ready for the next step, to actually become a HEMA instructor or to utilize your swording skills in some other leadership capacity (maybe you’re taking up raiding villages), Sword Carolina also offers The Academy for $35 a month. The Academy offers everything available in Sword Carolina’s online classes as well as special videos and other content for the potential instructor. If you are interested in taking your martial skills to the professional level, to possibly make a career in this field, The Academy offers training which is likely right for you.

For those of you in Europe, Johannes Pelzer operates the website Learn-Sword-Fighting.com for learning the German school of the longsword. The video classes at this site are broken down into eight levels, from the true beginner to the old pro, with all the drills one will need to become a good swordsman. Fundamentals are covered, as well as guards, footwork, strikes, parries, avoidance, winding, countering, and anything which you can think of concerning the longsword.

Taking your sword training beyond online

The videos at these sites, as well as other videos online and books, can help one learn more than just the basics, but there are a few potential downsides from this solitary approach. First of all, timing and distance are extremely important in swordplay, and while to some extent these can be partially learned on one’s own, there is nothing like having a sparring partner to improve one’s reflexes, speed, and timing skills. Besides, what fun is it if you are only ever fighting against a pell, a training target for swordsmanship?

Attending actual classes is obviously not mandatory, but after learning all one can from online courses, it could serve one well to try and attend the real thing. Testing oneself against others can be a strong route to improving one’s skills. Maybe you would even be able to take part in some tournaments.

But however you decide to swing your sword, always remember to Stay Nerdy!