This week we're going to be using the cut to get ourselves out of some challenging situations. With the rapier at level 1 (Green Cord), we're going to be using a cut to regain control of the opponent's sword. At level 2 (Blue Cord) we'll be building our precision and fluidity in sidesword cutting. At level 3 (Red Cord) we're going to be defending ourselves against rising and mid-line cuts from all four quadrants. In our longsword focus class this week we are learning to counter the cuts we studied last week. So get your rapier, sidesword, or longsword in hand and lets get started.

Longsword Focus

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Now that we understand how to cut through an opponent's sword as they attack us, how do we protect ourselves as the attacker? In this weeks' class we explore three methods we can use to respond safely to the counter cut: yielding, binding, and deceiving.

Green Cord (Level 1)

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In the first class of this week we will look at how we can use a half-cut or a very small type of cut called a 'beat' to knock the opponent's sword aside and be back in a position of control. In our second class we will look at how a cut can be used to protect you from an opponent's attack.

Blue Cord (Level 2)

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This weeks' focus is on dynamic cutting movements with the sidesword. You will be challenged to move through a series of different types of target drills to develop your ability to move from one type of cut to another in a way that is efficient, powerful, and safe.

Red Cord (Level 3)

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Continuing our work on defending from all parts of your body, we will now look at how to defend against rising and mid-line blows using all five methods for winning the crossing.

Exercise of the Week

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In this week's fundamental longsword exercise we are going to continue our work on 'walking around the sword' so that we can change our grip from a grip on the handle to a grip on the blade while moving through a cutting pattern.

Devon Boorman is the Co-Founder and Director of Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay, which has been active in Vancouver, Canada since 2004. Devon’s expertise centres on the Italian swordplay tradition including the arts of the Renaissance Italian rapier, sidesword, and longsword, as well as knife and unarmed techniques.
Read more from Devon Boorman.