The triumvirate of Rapier, Sidesword, and Longsword - This month in Mastery at Academie Duello

As you may or may not know our curriculum at Academie Duello in the Mastery Program runs on a scheduled calendar based on what level you are
at. Each month there is a different focus in class, perhaps a
different weapon or a change in strategic or technical theme. This is
one of the rare months where our calendars align in such a way that a
night at Academie Duello could include the rapier, sidesword, and
longsword. In fact if you're a sufficiently advanced student and
you're enrolled in the Warrior Program as well you could come in at
6:30pm on the right night and start with quarterstaff and spear,
progress to unarmed in the Mastery program, then to rapier, sidesword,
and finally longsword at the end of the night! Whew that sounds like
an exciting if taxing evening! 

Green Cord - Approaching with the Rapier
For our first level students this month the focus will be on looking
at a rapier fight from the perspective of the agente (the one who
initiates the approach). Though combat is infinitely more
sophisticated than simply approaching and striking your opponent, this
month allows you to isolate the techniques required to gain control of
your opponent's weapon both mechanically and strategically. Students
will begin with refinement of body postures and movement, and progress
to finding and gaining the sword (mechanical advantages) and into the
combative strategy of the true fight. Through our unit on the true
fight you will learn how to force your opponent to move when and how
you want them to and then exploit that moment to gain greater
advantage or strike. 

Blue Cord - Sidesword Fundamentals
The spada di lato & filo, arming sword, and broadsword all fit into
the discipline of the sidesword at Academie Duello. These single
handed swords that lend themselves to a blend of both cut and thrust
integrate what we have learned of geometry, distance, and timing from
the rapier with the constant and powerful flow of cutting, 360-degree
movement, and the unification of two fencing devices: the sword and
the buckler. Look forward to classes on the fundamentals of creating
powerful cuts, moving between attack and defense, coordination of the
buckler and sword, and the use of the sidesword guards to defend and
counter-attack. 

Red Cord - Longsword Fundamentals
Our senior students this month will be focusing on the fundamental use
of the sword in two hands. The longsword builds on the fundamentals of
both the rapier and sidesword as well as integrating wrestling
techniques. Students this month will begin with a focus on the
fundamentals of powerful cuts and thrusts and progress into a look at
the core crossings of the sword (when two sword actions meet), how to
win those crossings and how to respond to essential changes in
pressure from the opponent. The month will round out with a look at
thrusts, how to make them powerfully and how to counter them. 

It's going to be an excellent month to build a solid foundation for
your fencing and reflect on the lessons of each discipline and how
they interrelate. Be sure to check out our videos on Duello.TV as we put them up each week!