Receiving with Rapier I: Mechanics

Prerequisite: This course assumes the knowledge of the three Rapier Fundamentals courses.

Receiving is the part of the sword fight where the opponent moves forward toward us to control or attack. It may be how the sword fight begins, or a particular moment when the opponent decides to approach.

Mechanics & Measure: At the beginning of our lessons on approaching and receiving we like to get back to the basics of distance and movement. We look first at mechanics of movement then at the five measures and how to judge and exploit them.

Gaining and Tempo: Gaining the sword is one of the most important skills a fencer must possess, and in these lessons we look at it from the perspective of the receiver. We’ll use the extended guards of seconda and quarta to defend ourselves against attacks. Then we explore Primo Tempo in detail, discovering ways to strike our opponent as they step to measure.