This is something that used to bother me for a long time after I started with HEMA. There are tons of videos online from various tournaments, sparring, and seminars... And to be honest, many (most?) of them are pretty crap, if you are looking for a source to learn from as a beginner.
But, how to recognize the good ones?
That was a long-time question for me but through time, I found it is surprisingly easy to identify the ones that are really bad and, to an extent, also the ones that are pretty good. All I have to do is to check for several things:
1) Point of rotation
If you are somehow into longsword fighting, you may already recognize (it took me some time, lol) it is not an axe. In other words - if you spar, you use specific ways to generate speed and power. If you are using your longsword properly, you are using your right hand to deliver the sword per se to the location; and at the same time, you are using your left hand to control the tip.
Overall it means that if the sword (point, specifically) is rotating, it should be rotating around your right wrist. The left hand controls the tip, right hand gives the point of rotation. On other hand, the most common mistake is that you are rotating the tip with your right hand around your left one.
It can be especially well seen during basic oberhaw, but the logic is similar for all the cuts. If you use your left hand for the control, you are faster, have more power, and have better control. So if anyone in the video is doing it the other way (except for lefties, of course), you can simply ignore him in regards of any viable learning sources. And if he is an instructor, you can ignore the whole school lol
2) The posture
Good fencing posture requires good balance. Overall, it is quite easy to see, but through time I learn to go slightly more in-depth. This is because every fencer is unique and while someone has a very high posture, others very low one and most are in-between.
But, based on my observation, the good fencer has, regardless of his actual posture, a very good sense of stability, which manifests quite simply: If his back heel, butt, and shoulder bone, are most of the time forming a straight line, then there is a good chance he really knows what he's doing.
3) Mensura
There are certain people who have a good form but they can't actually fence. From my experience, usually, these are people who study resources thoroughly but who don't bother much with actual fighting. They can be good sources for the forms and cuts - but not for the actual fencing!
The simplest-to-spot difference I found there is between a good fencer and a good formalist is Mensura; aka the work with the space and distance.
People who are starting their actions at great distances without any chance to reach in 1st tempo (not saying you should never do this, but you definitely shouldn't do this as a habit!) are not worth following. And people, who are willing to let their opponent come into the distance where he can cut them with a simple swing of arms without any steps or lunges are the same.
If unsure at this point, which may happen from time to time, look also for patience. Because patience is a virtue overall, and three times as much in fencing. Is the person you are looking at rushing into exchanges? Well, then most probably, he's not that good. Is he willing to wait for an opening? And is he willing to wait for it while actually working with the distance, not by just standing there like a tree? If yes, well.. Most probably, he is worth looking for!
4) Persuasive fencing
This one is actually the most important one, but can be very questionable at times so, despite the significance, I usually look for it only after the previous three. Funny fact - if you already have 3 times YES as answers, then from my experience, there is a pretty high chance you will have 4th yes here, too.
Anyway, the idea is simple: what we are doing is actual fencing. The swords are blunt and we are well-protected, but our actions should harm and kill if done in actual combat. So... Ask yourself if you truly believe that what this person is doing will hurt and will harm?
If the answer is YES, congratulation, you find yourself a perfect role-model you should feel free learn from!
PS
To be clear here. I'm not saying you shouldn't watch the videos of fencers who fail any of the criteria above. I am watching many of such. What I'm saying is that I believe that one should be extremely critical of their techniques and think twice (or three times) before using those people as a source for anything in your own fencing style, or as a reference material.
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