Part 1 - Scholar Program

Overview

This is the first part of a 3 part program to teach Italian Rapier Fencing. Whilst the program can be used by anyone, it was primarily designed for teaching correct historical techniques to SCA fencers.

The core skills are being taught in this part of the program. The chief objective is to develop competency in basic footwork and bladework, along with a rudimentary tactical framework.

Pedagogy

The primary skill to be taught at this stage is that of controlling and dominating the opponent's blade. The ultimate aim is to have the student understand and utilise the concepts of stringere and guadagnare. These concepts are taught first with blade contact, as that will help the student learn a sense of sentiment di fer.

The foundation of this understanding is what we call a pressure. We chose to use this word over others as it conveys the concept of firm but light contact. It's a passive sounding word, unlike other candidates such as engagement or contact, and concise unlike "close the line". The approach we are utilising is one that encourages the student to utilise subtle actions that provides minimal feedback to the opponent. We do not want hard aggressive actions against an opponent's blade, as this is prone to excessive blade movement.

Actions are taught in a sequence designed to show the inter-related nature of all the actions. Typically, an action is first learnt against an extended blade, then with a closing step, then as a defensive response, and finally with the lunge. The idea is to move from least complex to most complex. It is also vitally important to use correct sword / point presentation during the drills. The point must be presented no more then a palm's width from the student's sword hand, otherwise the student will be encouraged to make larger exaggerated movements.

The student also needs to learn a degree of control with both their dominant and non-dominant hands. Once some basic control is learnt, the actions are then practiced using both hands. For example, a parry riposte drill will be done first in the dominant hand, and then in the non-dominant hand. Use of the non-dominant hand is required for offhand auxiliary items.

Coordinated use of the offhand with the sword hand is first taught using the dagger in the offhand. The empty hand and then the cloak follow this. By using the dagger first, the student will have a physical reminder of their offhand, and experience has shown that this accelerates the learning process. Primary use of the offhand at this stage is to dominate or check the opponent's blade, not as an offensive device.

Lastly this stage sets the foundation for all the footwork to be used within the system. One of the fundamental lessons to be taught is the use of lateral movement in defence and offence as a basis for establishing angulations and blade dominance. It is vitally important that the student learns that defence is created in depth through the use of blade work and voiding actions.

Content

• 1 - Distance (Measure)
  • 1.1 Grip
  • 1.2 Stance
  • 1.3 The line of engagement
  • 1.4 The Four Distances
  • 1.5 Basic Footwork
• 2 - Control The Sword
  • 2.1 Parts of the Sword
  • 2.2 Hand Position
  • 2.3 Pressure
  • 2.4 Hilt up / Hilt down
• 3 - Close The Line
  • 3.1 Movement away from Defending Blade / Object
  • 3.2 Glides
  • 3.3 Pressures and Glides
  • 3.4 Off Hand Checks
  • 3.5 Tip Control
• 4 - Blade Presentation
  • 4.1 Invitations
  • 4.2 Counter-postures
  • 4.3 Reading your opponent
  • 4.4 Picking Line and Target
  • 4.5 Basic Cuts
• 5 - Transitions
  • 5.1 Binds
  • 5.2 Ceding Parries
• 6 - Tempo
• 7 - Regaining Control
  • 7.1 Cavazione
  • 7.2 Counter-cavazione
• 8 - Glide without contact
  • 8.1 Lunge

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