The Fives - The basics of the combat style used by Norstead
by Robb Schuster (aka Halvgrimr)
The article contained here is a rewriting of a response I originally wrote for Wil Yannacoulias's group/list, Nordhere, when asked to explain The Fives.
I wrote the original shortly after the KC training back in 2002 (when
we were originally taught the system. Since then due to both additional training
and numerous viewings training tapes I
have discovered things that I was doing wrong so I have update the article so
that it is as accurate as can be. I hope you find it useful. PLEASE NOTE
that this was written many years ago and while it reflects what we were taught
back then (and is still a good primer) it does not necessarily reflect our
training methods today. Any questions or concerns can be sent sent
here.
Fighting is something that is better shown in person rather
than explained via electronic communications. It can be done, but its a bit
harder
What is written below is the basics of what we do (and even though I was made an official Recognized Training Thane (RTT) by The Vikings! I fully admit that I am by no means an expert at this, I continue to learn new things each time I pick up steel weapons.) and can be taught to you by any of our VNA trainers.
Please note that The Fives is NOT a combat system, it is more of a kata to learn the legal blows (and applicable blocks) that are used in our style of combat.
This system has no historical province, we do not claim that it does, nor do we claim to be later period technique experts. To my knowledge there are no period manuals or written works that describe Viking Age combat, and no matter how many times someone says or writes it, it is pure speculation to say that manuals written several hundreds of years later are applicable to our situation.
And most importantly we do not charge folks to learn the things we were given or learned freely. We pass on our system so that we can expand the number of folks that we can share our hobby with, not to make a profit.
"The Fives" is the style of combat that I was taught by The Vikings! and continue to teach new Norstead members
Even though it is called a combat system is is more akin to a kata that trains you to be familiar with the actual combat system.
Also of note is the fact that The Fives actually contains 6 shots - 5 thrown blows and one thrust.
A basic run down of how The Fives work
Gather at least two friend and equip each person according to your safety standards
Person A needs to go into Attack Stance and and prepare to swing a blunted
weapon at Person B with intent to safely initiate a 5's routine.
Person B should prepare to defend, via a Defense Stance, against this routine.
As soon as the routine is over Person B should then go into
attack stance and does the same thing to Person A (who is now defending) repeat
as necessary
Attacking and defending should be done in motion (but can be
done standing still if need be), i.e. attacker moving forward
and defender moving backward together.