I
do walk with a gate, but let's be clear on something; I only swing one way.
Actually, long, long ago, I did take a few fencing lessons (awfully rigid discipline and I never made it past foil) which came in handy when I later became involved with a group that put on performances at "Medieval / Renaissance Faires". The swordplay there was much looser and "dramatic" (slashing, thrusting, jumping up on tables, cursing, taunting, throwing things at your opponent, etc.). Now that was fun!
We often played for real competition (no scripted, pre-arranged winner), which made it much more interesting for us.
But I couldn't have convincingly done the freeform stuff without the rigid lessons.
Then there were the broadswords...