8-week Full Program
Complete the entire Rapier Fundamentals series of courses in eight weeks. Set aside two hours per week to cover the course requirements:
- watch the topic videos
- practice what you’ve seen
- complete the topic quizzes
- read through and follow along with the practice notes and training advice
- ask a question or contribute to a discussion
Convenient links are provided so you can jump straight to the relevant section of the course.
Week 1
Introduction
- Introduction to Historical Rapier Fencing
- Introduction to Academie Duello
- Tenets of the School
- Anatomy of the Rapier
- How to Use this Video
Posture
- Natural, Comfortable, Optimal
- Holding the Sword
- The Defensive Posture
- The Offensive Posture
- Posture Drills
- Target Management
Week 3
Movement
- Advancing & Retreating
- Sideways Step
- The Passing Step
- Movement Errors
- Mirror Movement Drill
Week 4
Gaining the Sword
- Offense Combined with Defense
- The Fighting Line
- The Advantage of the True Edge
- The Four Guards
- The Advantage of Leverage
- The Advantage of Crossing
- Approaching Drill
- Errors and Remedies
- Receiving Drill
- Finding the Sword
Week 5
Recovering Control
- Disengage Under
- Disengage Over
- Disengage to Find
Tempo Games
- Introduction to Tempo
- Exchanging Full Tempos
- Exchanging Half Tempos
- Sharing Full Tempos
Week 6
Primo Tempo and Dui Tempi
- Primo Tempo Opportunity
- Primo Tempo Drill
- Primo Tempo Drill – with Protection
- Dui Tempi Opportunity
Week 7
Stringere, Contra & Mezzo Tempo
- Stringere
- Contra Tempo Opportunity
- Contra Tempo Drill
- Mezzo Tempo Opportunity
Week 8
Sparring and Freeplay
- Slow Work
- Progressing to Freeplay
- Recommended Equipment
- Valid Hits and Targets