It's a new month of curriculum at Academie Duello. Our focus this month is on Fundamentals pretty much all the way around. Mastery program classes at all three levels are working on single rapier foundations; longsword class is focusing on precision and posture in all the attacks; and Sidesword focus is working on the fundamentals of entering into combat.

On Duello.TV starting next week we will be posting content from our Longsword focus classes. This content will be in a one week delay from its presentation at the school and will include some content already on the site as well as some new content we have been shooting. Now students here and abroad can follow along with our longsword technical program more easily.

Green Cord (Level 1)

http://duello.tv/featured-videos/this-week-in-class/

Approaching the opponent requires excellent posture and smooth and effective footwork. This week our focus is on polishing our movement both in the approach and the attack. Our videos highlight how to move well and some of the most common movement errors.

Blue Cord (Level 2)

http://duello.tv/featured-videos/this-week-in-class/

To start our month on intermediate single sword techniques, we are revisiting the True Fight. How do you gain the first measures and having gained them how do you force your opponent to your plans and respond to them in the most sensible fashion? Watch and find out.

Red Cord (Level 3)

http://duello.tv/featured-videos/this-week-in-class/

This month we are working on actions in various tempos, starting this week with Prima Tempo. Prima tempo is an action that occurs in one tempo as the opponent steps into measure or fixes while in measure. Videos this week will help you explore the various permutations of this idea.

Solo Exercise of the Week

http://duello.tv/featured-videos/fundamental-exercises-longsword

This week we're looking at a very large longsword: the Spadone is an Italian Greatsword that we sometimes employ in our SwordFit program at Academie Duello and in workshops. The exercises presented here are excellent for learning about cutting dynamics with any sword and how to best connect your body with the cut. Practice with caution and lots of space.

Devon Boorman is the Co-Founder and Director of Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay, which has been active in Vancouver, Canada since 2004. Devon’s expertise centres on the Italian swordplay tradition including the arts of the Renaissance Italian rapier, sidesword, and longsword, as well as knife and unarmed techniques.
Read more from Devon Boorman.