Swordplay from the Ground - Guards of the Sidesword
Our core weapon for Mounted Combat is the longsword, but we use it in one hand when mounted. For that reason it is useful to look at guard positions from the sword and buckler tradition. In the Blue spur we ask that you
Demonstrate six core guards of the sidesword and describe their use.
There are of course more than six sidesword guards, but the core guards, cover the outside high, middle and low, and the inside high, middle, and low, are the following:
High Guards
Guardia alta (high outside) and sopra bracia (high inside) are useful for parrying, and delivering powerful blows from above. Guardia alta is more versatile, being able to divert through almost any cutting line in good tempo, whereas sopra bracia is typically used for roversi.
Low Guards
Coda longa e larga (low outside) and dente al cinghiara larga (low inside) are good for invitations, parries, deflections and counterattacks. Cinghiara is better for false-edge deflections because of the angle of the arm coming from across the body, whereas coda longa is good for collections followed by thrusts.
Stretta Guards
In both coda longa e stretta and dente al cinghiara stretta the point of the sword is already on line with the target. This makes the thrust the most obvious attack, but stretta guards are also very available for quick parries and counterattacks. As with the low guards, cinghiare works well for false edge plays, and stretta is useful for collections and counterattacks that cross the line with the true edge.
Coming up in March
Mounted Combat Workshop
Sunday 2 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 16 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
Mounted Combat Skills
Sunday 23 March 1 – 4pm
Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay, 412 W Hastings, Vancouver
cost: $60
Instructor: Greg Reimer
prerequisites: none
Escape the vagaries of Spring weather and practise your mounted combat techniques from the ground and from the falsemount in this special indoor mounted combat session.
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
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.