Swordplay from the Ground: The Four Thrusts of the Sword The knight's sword was not just a cutting weapon. A well-aimed thrust delivered with the impulsion of a moving horse was a deadly combat technique. It was also an effective attack from the ground. There are four basic types of thrust, defined by the orientation…
Pretty people and prettier poniards provide present-day press provender. It’s apparent that there have been from times historical, sword players that not only insisted on having functional swords – but they also demanded a blade that won’t clash with their fashionable hosiery! My precious-s-s-s! YORKSHIRE EVENING POST (UK) 13 January 13 Weird warfare…
Today's message: build the support you need before trying things you don't normally do. Green, Blue and Red cords are doing some actions outside of the ones we typically practice: reverse lunges, passing lunges, girati, sbassi, passes below, & unorthodox postures. These are all really cool when seen in action. It's not enough, however…
It has been such a busy start to the year I've barely had time to write about cool stuff going on, let alone actually participate in it. I wanted to share some info on a few cool things that are coming up or in fact going on right now. Don Juan As you may have…
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The Paddy Crean Conference in Banff is a week of some of the greatest fight instructors and stunt people teaching an incredible group of enthusiasts. So every two years we get the newest innovations in stage combat and stunt work in one venue. And the food is fantastic. I want to share some of what…
Welcome to a new year of training and sword fighting! I hope that everyone has enjoyed their holiday and is ready to get back to their physical training regimes with a newly renewed passion. We are starting off this month we three rapier topics: receiving the opponent (for level 1), voids (for level 2), and…
Swordplay from the Ground: Wrist, Elbow & Shoulder Cuts Not only are there eight lines on which to cut, there are three places from which to cut, wrist, shoulder and elbow. For the Green Spur you are required to demonstrate all three types with the sword in one hand, and wrist and elbow cuts with…
Slim Spaniards wielding slimmer swords make up this week’s slim pickings. A resolution by ‘judicial duel’ would have been … quicker … and probably more entertaining … to say nothing of satisfying (for the winner). PÚBLICO (Madrid, Spain) 04 January 13 Condenado el marqués de Falces por vender la Tizona, la espada del Cid …
Short answer: absolutely. A few of our newer students who feel a little anxious about registering for the 2013 Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium(VISS). There are several reasons for this feeling and I'll address some of them here. "It's kind of expensive" This applies to beginners and "veterans" alike. And, actually it's not. At a cost…
This past Friday, Academie Duello hosted a small but vigorous rank examination for two of our members in the Mastery Program. About 25 fellow students came on the first Friday of the new year to help Gareth test for the rank of Blue Cord (our second rank of five) and Michael to test for the rank…
It's the time of New Year's Resolutions, have you already set yours? Personally I don't set New Year's Resolutions. Not that I don't like the idea of resolving to do something. What I don't like about New Year's Resolutions is that they only come once per year. So many New Year's Resolutions are forgotten or…
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Day 4 was devoted to putting everything back on the floor. It looks beautiful, take a look! And again, but with stuff on it! And our lovely north-facing side And our mirrors with shields. Thanks on Day 4 go to John Manestar (In spirit, he was ill) Devon Boorman Matheus Olmedo Walker Lunsford Greg Reimier…
Day 3 was applying additional coats of the finishing compound. We aimed for as many as we could. Here's what the floor looked like after the first application. There are plenty of dry spots: this was a thirsty floor! Applying the final application. Quite a different look from the last photo! Watching "paint" dry. After…