Charging Bull Style
The charging bull is my style of fighting, so named because it involved keeping your right foot behind you, like a bull who is waiting to charge. The style has changed a lot over time, and has been refined into the style that is used today. The style is most appropriately used by scholars or young adventurers who cannot afford to take a lot of damage. The key rule of the style is to concentrate on defense first, and get your hits in on counter-strikes.
Charging Bull Foot work
Unlike many modern popular styles, charging bull does not use the horse stance. For a right-handed fighter, the left foot is kept about two feet in front of the right foot. For a left-handed fighter, the reverse would be true. The advantage this offers is to give your opponent fewer targets. Instead of having both of your legs to swing at, the opponent only has one of your legs to swing at, and you can use this to help you anticipate their swing. However, much like the horse stance, this style is dependent on keeping your weight evenly distributed between the two legs. It is tempting to put all the weight on the front foot, but this would make you immobile and lead to a lot of blows on the front foot. In this style, a swing at the upper leg is blocked with the shield, while a swing at the lower leg is avoided by moving backwards. Part of the key to footwork in Charging Bull style is keeping distance between yourself and your opponent. You should always try to keep your opponent just within the reach of the tip of your sword. If you let them in closer, you may not have enough time to evade shots at your foot. When using Charging Bull style, you should lean slightly forward to give your shield better coverage of your knee. The shield should completely cover your shoulder, and be positioned so as to cover your chest. Your sword should be placed at a 45 degree angle, so that it can easily deflect any shots at your elbow or shoulder.
Charging Bull Shield work
Your shield should be placed across your chest, and only be moved to block a shot at your knee. It should not be moved to block a shot at your foot, because to do so would put it completely out of position and leave your upper body very exposed to your enemy’s blade. It also should not be moved to block a shot on your sword side. Your sword should be able to protect you from shots on that side of your body.
Charging Bull Sword work
As mentioned before, your sword should always be kept at a 45 degree angle, such that it can block any blow to that side of your body. Swings should be quick and at a definite target, and then the sword should immediately be pulled back into a defensive position. Swings should never involve any kind of wind-up or pull-back. They should go from the 45 degree angle to the target, and then back again. Pay particular attention to the length of your enemy’s strikes. If your enemy is not being quick in their strikes, then you should be able to strike their arm while they are swinging at you, before they have a chance to pull back. Then, if they try to retaliate, you should already be back into a defensive position.
Summary
The strength of Charging Bull style is that it isn’t necessary to be an expert fighter to use the style. Patience and deliberateness can make up for a lack of speed, and the defensive nature of the style makes it a perfect choice for those who may not be physically viril enough to be able to trade blows with an enemy.
