We're into the last week of our rapier focused month at Academie Duello. Green cords are countering offhand parries, blue cords are exploring the diversity of rapier and dagger plays that can be found in each tempo, and red cords are concluding their unit on striking with the dagger. Also to keep your sidesword work in good shape we are including a fundamental exercise on cutting at each of the joints of rotation -- check it out at the bottom.

Green Cord (Level 1)

http://duello.tv/featured-videos/this-week-in-class/

The offhand when employed judiciously can be an effective second line of defence and a frustrating foil for an attacker. In this week we look at how to overcome the defence of the offhand while continuing to control the opponent's sword.

Blue Cord (Level 2)

http://duello.tv/featured-videos/this-week-in-class/

This week we're going to look back over the month of rapier and dagger use and explore how we can use tempo and position to create multiple attacking opportunities from any one setup against an opponent. These are great classes for expanding your options when sparring.

Red Cord (Level 3)

http://duello.tv/featured-videos/this-week-in-class/

This week we're building further into the area of striking with the dagger. The set of techniques now looks at dagger attacks that can be made from a position where your weapon has been dominated.

Solo Exercise of the Week

http://duello.tv/featured-videos/fundamental-exercises-sidesword

Being able to cut fluidly and powerfully from each of the joints of your arm -- wrist, elbow, and shoulder -- is essential for solid sidesword work. This week's fundamental exercise gives a simple pattern for moving through these different centres of rotation with grace.

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.