Part I of approaching focuses on refining your mechanics for getting to the right measure, controlling the opponent’s blade, and making attacks that keep you safe.

Part II of approaching focuses on putting our mechanical tools to use while pressuring the opponent and striking them as they err.

Mechanics: A void is a movement used to “avoid” the sword of the opponent through displacement of your body. Our first lesson this month examines the…

Accompanying Buckler Positions: We look at how to use the small shield we often use with the shorter sidesword or cut and thrust rapier, and combine…

In this course we focus on the mechanics of cutting and the right contexts in which to employ the cut for attack and defense.

Positions & Transitions: We are expanding our attention to include a dagger in our offhand. These lessons look at the positions that the dagger takes in…

Using our opponent's committment to a defense-first strategy, we can use false invitations (openings) and false attacks (feints) to draw them into what appears to be a good opportunity, but which has a ready counter on our part.

Sometimes we don’t want to kill our opponent but simply neutralize them. One of the most effective means of doing this is the disarm.

Joined Defense: Whether you are using a bare offhand or are carrying a dagger, the sword and offhand work most effectively when they work together. In…

Our approach is to always unify the defense between the sword and the offhand, having both guard the same line at the same time—the sword high and offhand low, or vice versa.

This certificate requires that you have completed all of the following courses: Rapier Fundamentals I Rapier Fundamentals II Rapier Fundamentals III

Duel like a musketeer, sharpen your skills as a rapier practitioner, and build the foundation as a great swordfighter. In this course you'll be guided step-by-step through the fundamentals of Italian Rapier practice.

Duel like a musketeer, sharpen your skills as a rapier practitioner, and build the foundation as a great swordfighter. This course is part two of DTV's step-by-step guide through the fundamentals of Italian Rapier practice.

Duel like a musketeer, sharpen your skills as a rapier practitioner, and build the foundation as a great swordfighter. This course is part three of DTV's step-by-step guide through the fundamentals of Italian Rapier practice.

Learning how to wield the rapier is a powerful and inspiring experience. It's a great workout for your mind and body and the beginning of a journey into physical confidence and ability.

Part I of receiving focuses on the mechanics required to control and safely attack our opponent as they approach.

Part II of receiving focuses on pressuring the opponent into error, and the strategies we employ against them as they approach.

Fencing with the offside leading or lead-side “refused” can be an excellent way to remove the weapon from your opponent’s control, maximize your striking measure, and bring your offside defence or weapon to bear.

Tempo refers to an opportunity to strike that comes through advantageous positioning, making the attacking fencer's action shorter in duration compared to the defending fencer's action. In this course we look at many variations on four core opportunities to attack, and how to counter them.

Blade Control: To excel at the True Fight, one must be able to mechanically find, gain and stringer the opponent’s sword proficiently. To stringer the opponent’s…

What strategic tools are most useful against a particular fighter or opponent? Against Approachers:  These two lessons explore strategies relevant to an opponent that is…

Positions & Transitions: In these first lessons of working with two swords we will explore use of both the long rapier and the shorter arming sword.…

Through a solid grounding in technique we are able to learn and understand the principles of fencing. Once these are strongly ingrained we can challenge and develop our learning further by exploring how those principles are applied when are starting positions and movement strategies vary.