This is for all the practitioners of all the sword techniques (HEMA, Fencing, Kendo, Iaido, Krabi Krabong and more) out there but what do you feel makes your particular or any sword style functional in actual/simulated combat? What does your particular sword art base their foundations in; do they emphasize quick thrusts, do they tell you to play defensive and capitalize on counters, or what have you.
I raise this question because although I'm not a practitioner of any of these, I find the variety of techniques very intriguing. Do you, as a personal practitioner, feel that those who develop unorthodox styles (ex. making use of wide sweeping strikes as opposed to striking and keeping your blade tip within a preferred range or whatever) hold any merit or do you find yourself taking currently established styles and altering it to a style that fits you?
I raise this question because although I'm not a practitioner of any of these, I find the variety of techniques very intriguing. Do you, as a personal practitioner, feel that those who develop unorthodox styles (ex. making use of wide sweeping strikes as opposed to striking and keeping your blade tip within a preferred range or whatever) hold any merit or do you find yourself taking currently established styles and altering it to a style that fits you?