Learn Rapier III. - Tempo and Distance

Part III. of my new video series about fencing with the symbol of the renaissance - the rapier, according to the teachings of Salvator Fabris and other masters.
You may know dozens of techniques, you mights be a veteran scholar, you may know your footwork, but if you don’t know how distance and tempo work, fencing against a non-cooperative opponent will not bring you much joy. Only by attacking in the correct time and from the correct distance we will achieve that we will hit and we will not be hit by our opponent.
Rapier: Regenyei standard rapier and Regenyei cuphilt rapier
Blade: 110 cm (43.3")
Weight: 2.38lbs
Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Vesperae De Dominica

[@pippohispano]

Not only these videos are very instructive but you also have an excellent taste in music! Thank you!

[@MartinFabian]

thanks!

[@brandorgraccus6653]

So gracefull You're magnitificient, guys !

[@muntedme203]

Such a deadly weapon.

[@TheDRACOMUNDI]

Another great video Martin, I find distance and timing to be one of the hardest things to get right. Your explanation has made it much easier to understand. I also love that you use Fabris a lot in your demonstrations.

[@MartinFabian]

Thanks a lot! I'm very happy the video is helpful. Fabris is the best;)

[@ДенисПетров-ъ3и]

Excellent!

[@MartinFabian]

thank you!

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

Thanks Martin

[@SamStuart07]

Nice side step with line in opposition. :-)

[@Yeknodathon]

Love these videos, as a fencing newbie there is so much joy, passion (and hard work) in them. I'm looking forward to more! Particularly interested in the dynamic movement of the torso into and out of distance and the "loading" you appear to gain from a stance; it seems like a spring ready to release. So the engaging guard is not presented as a static phenomena but a movnig, dynamic and energised component of fencing? Now I must confess.. tempo.. right, yeh.. will have to rerun and rerun this because it is like watching one of those very fancy documentaries that try to explain Einstein relativity. I think I might get it but.. it ain't sticking. Bit tricky that...hmmm Part 2? Please? ... and you make me want to try rapier. Note to self: "find a rapier, like yesterday". Thanks again.

[@MartinFabian]

Thanks Yeknodathon! Regarding torso etc. - rotation of the body, of the hips and also the torso alignment are very important in fencing. With proper body mechanics, you may gain strenght, speed, be covered and many other advantages. The rapier of Salvator Fabris is even more specific and unique in this as you may see in some postures and assaults. If you have the chance to get your hands on the wonderful translation of Fabris' treatise by Tom Leoni don't hesitate! I really recommend it not just for people who study rapier, but also other weapons. The second part of his book is about "proceeding with resolution". In there he describes in quite some detail functional approach of attacking, how to take the initiative and also uses the body alignment to immediately gain a strong position. In some time, when this series will be finished with the first major contents of his single rapier, I'd also like to present this second part which is even more important from a tactical point of view. And about the tempo - almost every movement your opponent does is a tempo (when they are in measure). A pass is a tempo, a cut or a thrust is a tempo, a cavazione is a tempo, getting into a guard is a tempo etc. The point is every such movement has to begin and end somewhere and you should attack within that time because when your opponent swings their weapon they won't be most probably able to parry at the same time. So the real deal is to recognize when a tempo is provided and to be able to attack in that tempo. Hope it's a bit more clear!

[@Yeknodathon]

Thanks for the reply, very interesting!

[@Yeknodathon]

Yeknod''s review of Tom Leoni's translation (LuLu reprint at around 30 Euro www.lulu.com/shop/tom-leoni/fabris/paperback/product-22703193.html ) Ahem. Naked rapier dude. Naked rapier dude. Another naked rapier dude. More naked rapier dudes. Dudes, get a hotel room! Interesting book...

[@alexanderlindstrom01]

Excellent and interesting video series! I've been looking for resources on Salvator Fabris and specifically scanned copies of his treatise and/or translations but I can't seem to find any. Do you know if there are any?

[@MartinFabian]

hi Alexander! you can find a high resolution scan for free at Guy Windsor's website (guywindsor.net/blog/2016/04/this-belongs-to-you-fabriss-sienza-darme-the-best-rapier-book-ever-yours-free/) and Tom Leoni's translation at Lulu (www.lulu.com/shop/tom-leoni/fabris/paperback/product-22703193.html)

[@brandorgraccus6653]

Why isn't it Olympic allready..?

[@Ramiiam]

Why aren't people fencing with rapiers in my neighborhood park?

[@Tigerseye41]

Because European society has degraded.

[@OTEP1234567891011]

What is the misura laga equivalent in the Germanic tradition of longsword?

[@MartinFabian]

Hello! I woudn't say there is an exact equivalent. Some people use the word "zufechten" (approaching) for a similar purpose. I just tend to call it wide-middle-close distance.

[@OTEP1234567891011]

@@MartinFabian Thank you so much for replying!

[@4LXK]

how come you train in these neat public spaces without being shot by the police?

[@MartinFabian]

It's called Europe :)