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…
Routine Sword Press
Press from near and far – and a lesson as to just how portable WMAHEMA knowledge is these days. And on a minor note; Yes, when you update to Windows 9 - all your previous documentation formatting goes out the window. Your patience is appreciated. Swords in Training LA NOUVELLE REPUBLIQUE (Tours, France) 24…
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…
Desperately Seeking Susan Sword Press
Or at least her newspaper provider. Slim, rapier-like pickings this week We fear. German Longsword – by Germans for Germans.. DER WESTEN (Essen, Germany) 04 November 12 Fechten wie im Mittelalter (Anna Hückelheim) Christian Bott continues his WMA/HEMA work in Germany with his latest long sword workshop. Seven students – one a lady…
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…
Victorian Shaving for Movember
The month of November is here, and the ritual of growing a mustache to raise funds for testicular cancer and other men's health issues has been dubbed Movember. Deliberate and sometimes elaborate facial hair was common in Victorian era, so I'm sure Bartitsu enthusiasts are keen to learn more. Mustache Goals If you're participating in…
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…
Beer-battered Sword Press
“Walter came with seventeen companions to the brewhouse with stones in their hoods, swords, knives and other weapons. They drank four gallons of beer … the brewer’s wife realized that there would be trouble and, together with the brewer, “prayed” Walter and his companions would leave. They refused, saying that they would stay and spend…
Where's the error?
I was doing some drills with a fellow student last week and noticed an interesting phenomenon. The drill was as follows: Agente controls Patiente's weapon Patiente disengages to strike Agente strikes in contratempo I was the Patiente for the drill. I gave my partner a few tries to get warmed up in the drill and…
Prepare to Die!
Stanislavski's primary book on Method Acting is called "An Actor Prepares," which points to the central question: How to be an actor? In one sense, what he's saying is: "Don't neglect rehearsal. You can't control what happens on stage and you can't rely on your raw talent in the moment to save every show. A…