The Sword And The Measure

This chapter is the very beginning: how to hold a sword, how to move your feet, how to look at your opponent and see a target.

At the end of this section you should know

• the parts of the sword and why it is important to know them
• how to hold the sword in your hand
• how to position your hand and arm and sword and why how you do it matters
• how to stand
• the basics of how to move your feet
• what is the line of engagement and why it will keep you alive

You will learn some Italian terminology so you can start to read manuals on your own and have some idea of what you are reading.

You will also start the first of what will feel like way too many footwork drills! Footwork is vital: to be able to move quickly but in the right direction and exactly as far as you need to move while balanced and guarded, is as important as knowing when to move. The only way to learn that is to practice it over and over until you can move your feet precisely as you need to without thinking about it.

notes

can't do stance without grip if we teach 1st/2nd/3rd/4th in stance.
suggest 1) the sword - incl grip, parts of sword incl false and true edge with demo of why use true, need to relax 2) hand positions 3) stance including prima seconde terza 4) footwork including concept of close/in/out of distance 5) line of engagement incl quadrants and demo of closing line

pics needed: sword, hand positions, stance, guards, footwork, line of engagement
drills/demos: false vs true edge, distance, footwork line drills
handout: parts of sword, hand positions, quadrants, footwork calls.

wanted outcomes: know sword parts, demo hand positions, demo guards, can move feet....