Thrashing Bear Style
Thrashing Bear is the my personal style of swordsmanship. This style has been developed after many years of raw battle and studying of my peers in the guild. Thrashing Bear is not for all warriors, but does take a specific and keen eye and awareness. Many warriors use a wild and uncertain style, Thrashing Bear is lightning quick, while at the same time patient and deliberate. One must be aware of the speed and movement of their opponent as well as the surroundings in which they are in. By knowing your surroundings and the capabilities of the warriors you encounter you are able to react soundly to their movements.
Thrashing Bear Foot work
Thrashing Bear uses horse stance similar to that of Master Darkforge's Rifting Snake; standing with your feet parallel to your shoulders a little over shoulders width apart with knees slightly bent. Keeping one's weight equally distributed between your legs keeping your center of gravity lower. This will allow your movement in any direction to be quick and accurate. Your shoulders should be a in line with your back for the most part. An almost straight line should be drawn from the bottom of your neck to the top of your legs. Your sword should be out next to your shield with your sword arm elbow tucked against your side. Your sword tip should be about a foot above your right ear, if you are right handed. Your feet will be back from underneath your knees giving the appearance that the legs are an open target when they are really far out of range.
Thrashing Bear Shield work
Your shield will cover your body and will barely move. There are a few instances where this is not true though those are tied to specific movements. The grip will be high on the shield so that weapon blows for the top of the thighs can be blocked with minimal movement of the wrist side to side. By not moving your shield you are keeping the largest part of your body covered so that your opponent has to be creative with their strikes.
Thrashing Bear Sword work
Your sword should be treated as an extension of your arm both in offense and defensive situations. You should know the distance to the tip of your sword, this will help you judge distance and help you deceive your opponent. The movements of Thrashing Bear are quick and deliberate. The key of the swing is for your opponent to be caught off guard by the speed of the hands while the feet may appear slower. The sword work of Thrashing Bear is for those with hand speed comparable to the fastest in the lands. Most effectively landed blows will be landed with the tip of the sword. Before mastering this style one will often become accustomed to a pattern of blows, Thrashing Bear allows you to not only move with surprising speed, but to become fluid with your body motions and actions allowing for a more precise blow.
