Swordplay from the Ground: Movement Last week I covered the essentials of a balance and martial stance. Now we need to add mobility, without losing the effectiveness of that grounded posture, for the second item in the mounted combat checklist: Demonstrate methods of movement The movements we are looking for are: 1. Advance: take a…
Category: Programs
Video Lessons: Stringere via the Cut, Sidesword Shield Positions; Longsword Quadrant Defenses and Counter Cutting
We're into the second week of our month on cutting at Academie Duello. This week we're exploring the use of the cut to control the sword of the opponent (Green - level 1), the use of the buckler with the heavier sidesword (Blue - level 2) and the core defences of the longsword against various…
Use goals to check up on yourself, not beat up on yourself
We've been talking a lot about goals at the school and on the blog over the past few weeks and its led to many interesting discussions on the impacts, both positive and negative, that goals can have in your life. One of the core reasons to set goals and work to achieve them, is to…
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Taking a Stance
Last week I gave an overview of the Mounted Combat portion of the Green Spur program, which includes Swordplay from the Ground, Swordplay Knowledge and Mounted Swordplay Knowledge. For the next little while we'll look at each of those checklist items in a bit more detail, starting with Swordplay from the Ground: Stance and Posture…
Lesson Videos: Cutting Mechanics for the Rapier, Sidesword and Longsword; Longsword Mezzani Attacks and Tactics
This month we are taking the techniques out to three separate weapons: the rapier, sidesword, and longsword, with each we will be exploring the fundamentals of how to cut effectively, efficiently, and safely. If you have the opportunity, follow the exercises at each level so you can deepen your understanding of this essential form of…
Practicing forms 'correctly'
An important insight into practicing forms: how should they be practiced? Assuming we're doing a form that involves cutting (eg. Marozzo's first assalto of sword and buckler) I recommend the following progression of study: 1) learn the cuts and how to do them smoothly 2) memorize the sequence 3) practice the transitions Points…
Eastern Cane
Although the walking stick techniques of Bartitsu are an integral part of the art and contribute to its popularity, there are other martial arts that explore the cane. Tai chi and forms of Chinese kung fu sometimes incorporate weapons, including the straight sword, the saber, the staff, and the cane. I’m no expert on those…
The Mounted Combat Curriculum - Green Spur
Like the Mastery program, we have five ranks within the Cavaliere program, denoted by Spurs: Green, Blue, Red, Silver and Gold. To acquire each rank you need to be a triple threat, demonstrating your skill in Horsemanship, Riding and Mounted Combat. Now that we’ve covered all the things you need to know and be able…
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Video Lessons: The True Fight, Rapier Feints, Dui Tempi, Longsword Rising Cuts, Sidesword Double Cuts
Welcome to the last week of one of the most intricate and fundamentally satisfying months of curriculum at Academie Duello. In Longsword focus we continue to work on the fundamental blows, seeking to make them as precise and powerful as possible. In the Mastery program, Greens (level 1) take the techniques of the first three…
Safety Systems
We say that the first rule of stage combat is safety. All stage combat must be safe so that actors will never be hurt in rehearsal or performance. Focusing on safety also gives actors the confidence to move at high speed with full acting. When safety is deprioritized, actors start to flinch or otherwise compensate.…
Why I Practice Bartitsu
Self defence with a walking stick and its associated skills might seem like a strange choice. Convincing new students to join is sometimes difficult, but my personal story is as good as any sales pitch. So why do I practice and teach the Fighting Style of Sherlock Holmes? Practical First and foremost, I like that…
Video Lessons: Rapier constraint, deception, and contra-tempo, Longsword precision and drills
This week on DuelloTV: Green cords (level 1) are moving into the strategic side of the rapier with classes on Stringere and responding to the opponent, Blues (level 2) focus on the foundation of the Deceptive Fight, and Reds (level 3) on contra-tempo and how to defeat it. For our longsword focus we are moving…
Ride with Authority
The final item on the Riding Level 1 scoresheet is: 15. Demonstrate overall authority, safety & confidence This is similar and related to the last point on the Horsemanship Level1 sheet: 11. Demonstrate safety and common sense when working around horses In your riding test you will be marked on your habits from the ground…
Some thoughts on setting goals, fencing and otherwise
It's been a while since I've written about goals. Goals are something that are always on my mind in one form another. I revisit them frequently, set out plans to achieve them, and often completely overhaul them. Sometimes I forget them for a time, get lost into the activities themselves, or just find myself drifting…
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Safety in numbers
Or rather, safety with numbers, is this week's topic. In other words, how do you 14. Identify and maintain safe distance in group while riding and halted It's not enough to simply maintain the pace and direction of your own mount in relation to the fixed objects in the ring; you also need to be…
Video Lessons: Longsword Fendente Precision; Rapier Finding & Gaining, Offline Movement, Mezzo Tempo
Welcome to the first full week of November. This week we are including the first of our new longsword series that follows our technical focus classes. In these classes we run on a 6 month cycle of themes: 1. Precision, 2. Crossing, 3. Giocco Stretto, 4. Tempo and Provocation, 5. Guards, 6. Defeating Guards. Last…
Class Videos: Rapier Mechanics, The True Fight, Using & Defeating Prima Tempo Strikes, Spadone Cutting
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…
Time to Stirrup Things!
Sorry, it's a dreadful pun, but I couldn't resist. The stirrup is arguably one of the most important inventions in the history of mounted warfare, and of riding in general. The advent of the stirrup allowed a rider to mount more easily (making it feasible to wear heavier armour into battle), to rise out of…