My Introduction to the Italian Rapier DVD has finished post-production and is on its way to print! This is a pretty exciting moment for me as this project has been three years in the making. It’s being published through Freelance Academy Press and is due to be available within the next two weeks.
The DVD is focused on the fundamentals of Italian rapier as I teach and practice it at Academie Duello. It provides a solid base for getting started with the weapon and also provides a lot of powerful ideas that will serve as a solid foundation for beginners and inform experienced practitioners as well. Twenty years of developing my practice with the weapon -- a decade of which was spent refining this material with thousands of students and dozens of teachers at Academie Duello -- have helped to produce a very strong approach.
The DVD will take you from knowing nothing to fencing competently with the rapier. It will also help refine the practice of many existing practitioners, especially those who have not had the benefit of regular instruction.
The DVD includes:
- How to hold and manoeuvre the rapier
- Postures & Movement
- Finding & Gaining -- The fundamentals of controlling an enemy’s weapon
- How to regain and maintain control
- Timing and opportunity -- When to strike
- Defensive principles
- Fundamental strategy
- Dozens of drills useful for solo and group practice
I’ll have more specifics on exactly when it will be available soon. I do know that it will be initially in limited release so I’ll be sure to let everyone know when they can get their hands on it.
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.