Rapier and Sabre lesson on the lunge according to Capo Ferro

A lesson on the basics of the lunge according to Capo Ferro for rapier, and with reference to it's use in sabre also.

[@anathamon]

This is quickly becoming my favourite channel.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+anathamon Glad you are enjoying it!

[@100thdragoon]

Incredibly useful, concise instruction for amateurs at home. Many thanks.

[@wiskadjak]

Good description of CF lunge. Thanks for providing a nice, clear, reference for this key technique.

[@themadrazorback2019]

Always great instructional videos!

[@middlehearth6723]

Nicely explained. Thanks

[@gungriffen]

It always amazes me how much fencing and wing chun are similar. My dad used to always say wing chun is just using your forearm as if it was a rapier to deflect.

[@jonathonclary1681]

A point that a lot of physical therapists have explained lately is that you want to be very careful about your knee traveling forward of your ankle and using that spring mechanic you were discussing. They will tell you that's a recipe for a really bad repetitive stress injury to the knee.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

That's not new at all, it's based on research from decades ago. Research that led to an over simplification of the issue. The article below delves in to this further. www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/blog/562/is-it-ever-okay-for-your-knees-to-extend-beyond-your-toes-while-doing-squats-or-lunges?fbclid=IwAR1EpciVVR7AooyIrWSMy7G0p60JUzd36FXIrj0LcWoVjlq55Pb9c2yrRGM

[@Tyler_Lalonde-]

can you talk about why you don't see these much in military sabre anymore? passing and other footwork and attacks and grappling.

[@y11g]

Awesome video, more please, pretty please :-)

[@nikilbellad3058]

Nick Thomas I have seen you make amazing videos regarding saber and longsword lessons with your brother. Do you think you could do the same with rapiers as well?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

It has certainly been my plan for a while. It's been difficult to shoot lessons recently, but we will get back to it. Ideally I need to setup an area at home where I can film them, as that will make it much easier time wise. I'll aim to get something setup for the new year, as I want to cover a lot on both rapier and sabre.

[@Narlithstern]

love these edit : any chance you could add subtitles? im having hard time getting all the dialog, not being a native speaker

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Narlithstern Glad you are enjoying them. However I don't think it's realistic to have subtitles at this time. We just about have enough time to shoot these videos, but no more for editing and such. However if you would like further explanation then I suggest you find us or one of our instructors on Facebook. I am happy to help you out with any questions you have there.

[@tsoliot5913]

Academy of Historical Fencing amara.org/en/ for a quick tool, if you find some time. Probably about 20 min for this video.

[@timothyheimbach3260]

can you do more rapier? it is one of my favorite swords but lessons on it, on KZbin, don't tend to be as concise and helpful as you do them.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Timothy Heimbach Yes we certainly will. In fact I have been teaching rapier a lot longer than I have be teaching sabre. As soon as we have got enough content to cover the core basics of sabre we will get onto the rapier videos and then move from one to another. That will probably be in about 4-6 weeks.

[@timothyheimbach3260]

Awesome, thanks

[@neohenry8292]

What are the differences between the Capo Ferro's arm throw and Fabris' arm throw? I personally like the Fabris' arm throw because it's enough to aline the shoulders for the lunge and bring the left arm back for recovery.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Neo Henry I don't study Fabris so I cannot help you there. I never liked Fabris' style nor the structure of his manual.

[@arpioisme]

please do some sidesword tutorial

[@LucaHMafra]

Hey Nick, I know you certainly have a lot to do (and probably other objectives with the channel), but I've got a request. Do you think it would be possible to do some similar videos to those six german longsword lessons, but for the rapier (Capo Ferros')? The thing is that I'm starting my research in order to form a Hema club with my friends, but the manuals don't necessarily cover some of the more basic stuff and a few videos can be of a lot of help to me (and to many others, I'm sure) by illustrating the postures, movements, common mistakes etc.. I know you guys must recieve tons of requests in every single video, but I had to try my luck. Starting from scratch can be quite overwhelming... so many variables and difficulties (from manuals and equipment to a good training location). Anyway, thanks for all your content! This is a great channel. =)

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

That is certainly on my list to do. It can be hard fitting video lessons in at training sessions, but as the weather improves I can do stuff outdoors, and that will help.

[@LucaHMafra]

Very nice to hear that! I really enjoy what I see in your sparring videos; it would be even better to see some more explanations on the matter. And thanks for the response, btw

[@RoninGroupUK]

when is your next workshop / seminar day ?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

We train twice a week all year round, other than that it is the odd European event when it suits us.

[@gungriffen]

Also while I learned Wing Chun I never got to learn fencing to the same degree. My dad preferred DiGrasse's style and I'd like to know how different it is to this.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Gungriffen Di Grassi is generally considered a rapier text because when it was translated into English the sword was named rapier, probably to appeal to the fashion at the time. (The Italians had no word for rapier anyway). But it is clearly of the earlier Bolognese spada da lato style. What we now call sidesword. These weapons can often have a similar hilt to rapier, but shorter and heavier blades intended for more cutting work, when the rapier is primarily thrust (maybe a 70/30 thrust to cut as opposed to around 50/50, approx.). Sidesword styles tend to look a little more swashbuckling.

[@gungriffen]

Thanks for the info :D

[@lindseyrjacoby]

I like your Capo Ferro lengthed rapier, who made it?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

TinkTinkTink Darkwood Armoury in the US. It is a 45" bated rapier on a one off hilt also made by them. Despite the fact I have often recommended them in the past, we have had a large number of issues with them recently. Soft blades, tangs breaking etc. If you live in the US so that postage is low and import duties not an issue, then perhaps it is still worth it. But if in Europe they are simply far too expensive for the quality.

[@lindseyrjacoby]

Academy of Historical Fencing Interesting, I actually use the 38" spada blade. How good is the tip lag and overall stiffness? I've never handled one at long as 45"

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

TinkTinkTink The bated 45 is quite stiff, to the degree it suffers no whippiness in the fight, but some people do find they hit a bit hard on the thrust. I am not a big fan of it to be honest, it feels unwieldy. The 45" practice blade is much better handling wise but then does suffer a little from whippiness, though nothing terrible. Danelli is able to make a blade that handles as well as the practice but with better rigidity.

[@rickyfowler9183]

I have diplegic cerebral palsy and I am a left hand dominant fencer due to my right side being weaker. Do you have any suggestion on how to alter the lunge motions in order to compensate for the lack of balance/mobility in my retreating foot? further suggestions pertaining to a modified recovery/retreat form in general would also be appreciated due to my currently stumbling retreat. I would like to minimize the inherent opening I give to my opponent.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

I have to admit that your situation is not one I have encountered before, but I'll do my best to help. Perhaps you could send me a video? The first thing I would say is to ensure you are not taking too long a lunge, by that I mean take a small step, and do not let the knee bend past the toe. The lunge certainly in sabre is quite short in step and with a fairly upright body. This will help to begin with. You might also consider throwing offhand back as a counter balance when lunging and then returning to a high positon when recovering. This was a method encouraged for those who wanted the benefits of the balance is provided. Lastly, if it is still slow and leaving you exposed, recover in hanging guards so that you can protect the leg if need be. between the Half hanger, and outside hanging/gt George you can ensure both high and low openings are protected.

[@rickyfowler9183]

I don't know how long it would be before I'm able to send a video, but I will try to utilize your suggestions, thank you

[@121qwert2]

Do you have a video for spainish rapier?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

No we don't practice it. I'm not really a fan, though I (Nick) have certainly seen some good fencers created with it

[@timothyheimbach3260]

I was watching someone talking about Italian lunge and he said to bend your back knee to bring your weight back to it on your recovery. Thoughts on that? And where is your weight mostly distributed when you fight with rapier and sabre?

[@larsf92]

More sabre!!!! :D

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

fockmen Interesting how just a few years ago barely anyone wanted to know about sabre, and were fascinated by rapier. Now it seems that sabre is at least on a par, and perhaps surpassing the rapier in terms of interest. I wonder why? Is it the availability and cost of equipment?

[@larsf92]

For me it just seem like a good weapon to start of with. the manuals seam to be easier to understand.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

fockmen Yes it certainly is, spot on. Though we rarely come across people who want to go with a sensible logical approach like that. Most people have an idea of what they want to learn because of popular culture, or a specific field of interest. The sabre is without a doubt the simplest system of European swordsmanship that I have ever encountered. It uses simple and easy to understand concepts. Logical terminology and an approach that is well structured and easy to apply. And in that simplicity and consolidation it is simply beautiful.

[@larsf92]

Academy of Historical Fencing apart from sabre do you know of any other systems that a relatively easy to learn?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

fockmen Nothing quite like sabre. But I would say longsword (sword in two hands) is in many ways the most forgiving to new fencers. Mainly because the footwork is not so alien (mostly passing steps rather than the unnatural body mechanics of the lunge and lead foot remaining forward), as well as the fact that having two hands on the grip take a lot of strain off the right arm. Ultimately though, I would recommend you stay with sabre. It is simple and easy to understand, and everything you learn with it will carry over to other systems like rapier or longsword if you decide to work on them later.

[@Chimib]

You vids seem to be instruvctive and nice, but the audio really sucks

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

This video is 2.5 years old, see more recent content. I moved to a lapel mic for lessons and a shotgun mic for talking head videos a few months after it was shot. I also don't shoot in lesson time when there is background training noise anymore.