Drawing your sword with a reverse grip isn't faster if your sword is on the opposite side of the arm. If it was faster, iaido might've used it. It might be faster if it's on the same side since it's less awkward, but that's why you don't have the sword on your right if you're right handed.
I like the details of the weapons. They look good. But obviously it's always easier to hit with a non-lethal shield strike than a sword strike, despite that the shield doesn't have nearly the same reach, and the distance they were at should've made it easy for her to avoid it.
Also, accidental kabedon. He got a few affection points from that.