Swordplay from the Ground: Armed Grapples and Disarms
Sometimes, despite having a yard of steel in hand, the best option is not to "stick'em with the pointy end." Whether its because you are too close for blade play, or because you're worried that slicing your opponent open will devalue him on the ransom market, the best option may be a grapple or disarm. For the Blue Spur we want you to:
Demonstrate three unarmed wrestles to the head, torso, and arms that can be used against an armed or unarmed opponent.
Fiore has quite a few diagrams showing disarms and grapples with sword in hand, using both the free hand and the sword. These include
- grasping the opponent's pommel with the free hand
- putting your pommel between your opponent's arms
- wrapping the opponent's blad with your free arm (serpentine wrap)
Unarmed wrestles such as the ligidure mezzane and sottane (one-armed upper and lower keys) work just as well with the sword in hand. In fact your and your opponent's swords can provide extra constraint, making these holds even more effective.
Upcoming Classes
Please note: The Mounted Combat Workshop and Mounted Combat Skills dates were switched for this month due to arena conditions. The Mounted Combat Skills was held last Sunday at Academie Duello, and the regular Mounted Combat Workshop will be held at Red Colt on Sunday March 23rd.
Mounted Combat Workshop
Sunday 23 March, 1- 4pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
cost: $60
Instructor: Devon Boorman
Swordplay from the ground, the falsemount, and from horseback.
prerequisites: Intro to Mounted Combat or permission from the instructor
Cavaliere Class
Sunday 30 March 1 – 4:30pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
cost: $60
Instructor: Jennifer Landels
Horsemanship, Riding and sword drills for all levels of riders and swordsmen
prerequisites: none, Intro to Mounted Combat recommended
Intro to Mounted Combat Workshop
Sunday 6 April, 10am – 1pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
cost: $149
Instructors: Jennifer Landels & Devon Boorman
A taste of everything in the program. Learn about grooming and tacking up, get some swordplay fundamentals, and ride a horse with sword in hand.
prerequisites: none
Mounted Combat Workshop
Sunday 6 April, 1- 4pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
cost: $60
Instructor: Devon Boorman
Swordplay from the ground, the falsemount, and from horseback.
prerequisites: Intro to Mounted Combat or permission from the instructor
Cavaliere Classes
Sundays 13 & 20 April 1 – 4:30pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
cost: $60 ea
Instructor: Jennifer Landels
Horsemanship, Riding and sword drills for all levels of riders and swordsmen
prerequisites: none, Intro to Mounted Combat recommended
Mounted Combat Skills
Sunday 27 April 1 – 4pm
Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay, 412 W Hastings, Vancouver
cost: $60
This indoor Mounted Combat session is a chance to practice your swordplay, spear and wrestling skills from the ground and the falsemount, without the distractions of weather or four-legged creatures.
Package deals
Cavaliere 4- and 12-packs are available. These packages are valid for all classes offered in the Cavaliere program, as well as for private or semi-private lessons.
4-pack: $200 ($50 per class)
12-pack: $480 ($40 per class)
When you purchase a package you are automatically signed up for all upcoming Cavaliere program classes. If you are unable to make a class and let the front desk know in advance, you will be credited for a future class.
Jennifer Landels heads up Academie Duello's Cavaliere Program. She has been swordfighting since 2008, and riding since before she could walk. She started the program as an excuse to combine those passions. Read more from Jennifer Landels.