Learn Rapier VI. - Third Guard

Part VI. of my video series about fencing with the symbol of the renaissance - the rapier, according to the teachings of Salvator Fabris and other masters.
The four guards in rapier correspond to four hand positions. When we say 'third guard', the hand lies in its most natural vertical position. The guard and the position in vastly used since it doesn't encumber the arm too much. Besides the standard guards of the third I also introduce the very special Fabris' "high third" which isn't widely known or used despite being awesome.
Rapier: Regenyei standard rapier
Blade: 110 cm (43.3")
Weight: 2.38lbs
Music: Beethoven - String Quartets [Alban Berg Quartett] - Op.59 No.2 in E minor "Rasumovsky"

[@levifontaine8186]

Your movements are very well refined; these videos are amazing.

[@MartinFabian]

thank you very much Levi, much appreciated!

[@user-pn7wq9cl1g]

Been wanting to learn how to use the fancy, oversized needle looking down over the rest of my weapon collection for a while now. Haven't found rapier guides that were this geared towards beginners and were also focused on breaking down historical manuals, as opposed to strictly being within the framework of modern olympic fencing, elsewhere. I know I'm late, but you're still awesome Mr. Fabian; you've got yourself another sub!

[@MartinFabian]

Thank you, you're very kind and happy to help :)

[@LordVex47]

These videos are amazing! Can't wait for Quarta! Love them!

[@MartinFabian]

Thanks Ian! Much appreciated!

[@dsptbhuwhytlk5110]

Wow. I never knew learning how to use rapier was going to utilize feinting so much.

[@sneakerphotgrapher]

I've watched this 3 times now, thank-you! I'm taking the low & high 3rd to rapier practice this week for 'education'. I appreciate the clear, well illustrated demonstrations. Just enough repetition.

[@Yeknodathon]

Always fascinating to watch these videos, loving the footwork, movement, measure and tempo.

[@MartinFabian]

Thank you very much!

[@miguelarocazarco5744]

Lol really cool, i will see more of your videos!

[@user-vv7gz3dq9m]

This video teaches me a lot, thanks.

[@enlightenedterrestrial]

0:28 haha that double shoulder shrug is a good one :D

[@kiselevmx]

Great work! Waitin' for another one!

[@vtt4unme502]

Great video as always Martin. Keep them coming.

[@MartinFabian]

thanks Charles!

[@thillerson]

With the UFO in the background I finally recognized the Sad Janka Krala. Beautiful town, beautiful park. Thanks for the videos.

[@MartinFabian]

Yep, exactly :)

[@davidelupidi3096]

Nice work! Go on! Greetings from Italy :)

[@Yeinbrain16]

I found your explanation of void to be very clear and illuminating

[@MartinFabian]

Thank you very much Garrett!

[@jimmynicolas4602]

Magnifique vidéo....

[@edoardocornacchini2567]

i love these videos. as always very well made and finally some Beethoven! :)

[@MartinFabian]

More Beethoven to follow ;)

[@Ishpeck]

I love the editing in these videos. Subscribe'd.

[@garroyo23]

Love this intro.

[@user-oe3di1yc8y]

Тhe long awaited sequel!

[@MartinFabian]

Hopefully not disappointing as it is with sequels nowadays :)

[@ericalbert6954]

Magnifique.!

[@justinvillar7008]

I'm a Kali, Escrima Arnis practitioner and I came here because of the martial arts I practice have similarity with spanish fencing. Some techniques even the slashes of the rapier is really similar to Kali. Not just that, there's some said our martial arts in Philippines have spanish fencing influence because after we learn fencing from spaniards we incorporate it with our native fighting art that created the Filipino martial arts we know today.

[@y.wirasmoyo]

A good nation knows how to addopt things that good for them

[@zmcd3112]

very cool thanks a lot for this

[@neutralfellow9736]

Magnificent.

[@MartinFabian]

Thanks!

[@MarkizDeCarabas]

Parádna robota, Maťo! Videá na kvalitnej úrovni a šerm nádherný. Až ľutujem, že som s tým už sekol, je to motivujúce.

[@MartinFabian]

dakujem:) je to skoda, ale netreba hadzat flintu do zita. nikdy nie je neskoro sa k tomu vratit a v neposlednom rade je na to aktualne velmi dobre podhubie ;)

[@MarkizDeCarabas]

Mato, snad mas moznost porovnat a poradit - chcel by som skusit Meyerov rapir, akurat on svoj mec drzi este klasicky s palcovou kontrolou a nema ukazovak nad prieckou ako pri neskorsom talianskom rapirovom serme, na ktory som zvyknuty. Myslis, ze by sa dal Meyer odsermovat s modernejsim uchopom s ukazovakom nad prieckou alebo si mam zhanat novy mec, nech to mozem drzat ako on vyzaduje? Diky ;)

[@nicholascotardo3795]

Molto bravi! Interessante

[@c0nstantin86]

It's nice to see the missing link from a proper sword duel to today's escrima.

[@veralnox457]

Just watch the rolling of that back foot while lunging to avoid injury to the ankle. You'll miss THAT when it's gone.

[@user-ls1zf8dy5l]

прекрасное видео)

[@MartinFabian]

Thanks / Спасибо!

[@Sylentmana]

Looks like some kind of weird bird display except it ends with a stabbing.

[@michaelwhittaker4246]

The high third seems quite unusual. Would you be able to reference where you found it in Fabris please?

[@MartinFabian]

Hello, it's in the proceeding with resolution part later in the book.

[@ultimomos5918]

the intro of the photographer teaching the bride proper technique instead of shooting bridal photos is hilarious

[@Malconsolamentum]

Which make of rapier do you use for this series? Regenyei?

[@MartinFabian]

Hello! Mostly Regenyei and a Kvetun in part 8 :)

[@kurtizakcabanilla6534]

Fantastic videos! I do primarily FMA was thinking how this could transfer to knife fighting!

[@y.wirasmoyo]

Watch WW2 bayonet fighting.

[@monkeyishi]

In high third do you think we can enter with mike Tyson style footwork and head movement?

[@MartinFabian]

Heh you could if you're in full control of the situation :)

[@monkeyishi]

@@MartinFabian this makes sense. Counter intuitively he is an aggressive counter fighter. I'll file this away in the when I understand the mechanics things to play with box.

[@arpioisme]

when i look at your fencing jacket, i remember a karate master's black belt that turned white

[@MartinFabian]

:D I accidentaly picked the older jacket I have and realised the level of shabbiness when I started editing the vid. Shame on me. But on the other hand I have to say it still serves it purpose considering it was from the first batch of AP jackets ever made.

[@adamjohn12]

Your jacket looked fine. Great video as always.

[@MartinFabian]

Thanks adamjohn!

[@arpioisme]

i mean, it really shows up the amount of practice under your belt... or jacket

[@thiagosousa1338]

Capo ferro

[@buffoonustroglodytus4688]

0:29 holy shit that is a nose if I've ever seen one god damn

[@cristianolima3712]

Excute me sir, but one of the aplications made me very confused! Using hand to parry a rapier attack looks senseless, since rapiers can also cut very well. Plus, doing that counts as a point to the opponent in a HEMA fight. In RL you could have your hand sliced. Btw, I see that you are from Slovakia. I visited your country November last year, it was the best I visited in European Union, people looks very hospitable.

[@MartinFabian]

Almost every historical book on rapier teaches parries or redirections with using the off hand - for thrusts of course. It's not something I made up. Thanks and have a nice day

[@BuriedPython]

This video wasn’t structured very well for people actually trying to learn it step by step but I guess that’s on me for being a noob 🤷‍♂️

[@TheNitoGaming]

La verdadera destreza es española.

[@sparrowhawk81]

Stop telling me what to do with my buddy, pal.

[@michaelroth8459]

Sparrowhawk Matt?

[@RichardWelsby]

He's not your pal, friend!

[@ratelpinecone54]

Yap... now i have no doubt why hema society thinks that rapier is a bit gay weapon :)

[@MartinFabian]

is it? don't you practice rapier as well? :)

[@forestchicken6689]

Ratel Pinecone lol

[@monkeyishi]

I mean it makes me happy

[@brandorgraccus6653]

All seems very logic! ^^ Except moves. I saw that prob myself and constat you have the same: motion isn't effective at all ! Look at you! 2:40 This step is not good! And I'm working on mine too try to fix it... I explain : all this is good for an oponent who don't move aside. It doesn't mean he is untouchable because he moves, but it so embarassing ! make things kindof ridiculously long (when you are two same-level). All this prob ... I call it the "dash-mistery" : 'cause it looks like you need a boost jump to make THE good stepping (Gerlat of Rivia is worst about it, he is un-imitable) 2:45 Here : no prob, the range is perfect. 2:36 But heeeere.... First.. I think you don't do it fine 'cause he just need to move a bit to reach your head while you're stepping BEFORE you could touch him Look at the blade of the attacker carefully ; Now you see that the black one can even deviate the blade from the vital point (what he would do if it was the purpose) 2:41 But here is the worst. Definitely

[@brandorgraccus6653]

Tempo and misura ! Ah...! You wanna strike when you're in the safety distance, but it makes problem ! Because... obviously, you are not in the good disance. barely. So what's the trick??

[@MartinFabian]

Hi Eric, thanks for the comments! I think you're right when you suggest there are some drawbacks or issues with certain demonstrations. But I think they are unavoidable from the very essence of these techniques - let me be more clear. 1. A feint is very hard to demonstrate in general. Every opponent reacts to you differently so in order to feint you can generally do a lot of things 2. Since I've decided to go more or less by the book, Fabris suggests to feint in this manner 3. I'm showing examples of assaults. They are mostly exercises which teach you a few specific principles. Furthermore these exercises are also from the part of the book which is about general principles and basic techniques 4. I've seen and was able to perform feints in similar manner and in similar distances (not only of course) 5. If my partner wanted he could basically hit me anytime. it's a controlled exercise and both of us know what we're going to do :)