Mar 1stLesson 65 – Decatur School of Arms

Last night in class, we talked about tempo in terms of relative speed of actions (Tempo can also refer to the best moment to launch an attack). In general, for an attack to be successful, the amount of time needed for the attack needs to be less than or equal to the amount of time the opponent would need to defend against it. We can increase our speed with practice and by learning to move efficiently and at the correct moments. We can also follow some of the guidelines laid out by Capoferro to help us choose the appropriate action for a given scenario.

For instance, it takes more time to make a full lunge than it does to hit with just an arm extension. So – if my opponent starts in wide measure and attacks with a lunge, I should be able hit by counterattacking along the blade with an extension. (or sometimes hitting the arm, which can be even faster). On the other hand, if my opponent starts from out of distance and steps into measure to initiate an attack, I should have enough time to be able to hit with a lunge, etc…

Here’s one of the lessons I gave in last night’s rapier class which illustrates some of these concepts. The other lessons and drills that we did followed a similar theme.

1. In time, as the instructor invites in third from narrow measure, straight thrust (no lunge)
2. In time, as the instructor invites in fourth from narrow measure, straight thrust (no lunge)
3. Either 1 or 2, with mobility
4. Either 1 or 2, from wide measure (student lunges), then with mobility
5. In time, as the instructor attempts to engage in fourth, disengagement (with a lunge)
6. In time, as the instructor attempts to engage in third, disengagement (with a lunge)
7. Either 5 or 6, with mobility
8. In time, as the instructor attempts to engage in fourth, disengagement. Recover back with an engagement in fourth, when the instructor attacks with a disengagement, hit with a time thrust in third (hand in second position).
9. Same as 8, recover back to an engagement in third with a retreat. Then hit with a time thrust in fourth.
10. Student invites in fourth, then attempts to engage in third. Instructor attacks with a disengagement. Student parries fourth with a retreat and ripostes with alunge.
11. Student invites in fourth, then attempts to engage in third. Instructor attacks with a disengagement. Student counterattack with a time thrust in fourth.
12. Alternate between 10 and 11.
13. From out of distance, student invites in third. Instructor places blade in line and steps into measure. Student retreats.
14. From out of distance, student invites in third. Instructor places blade in line and steps into measure. Student lunges with opposition as the instructor starts the step forward.
15. Alternate between 14 and 15.
16. Add mobility.
17. From out of distance, student places blade in line. Instructor steps forward with an engagement in fourth. Student retreats, frees their blade and engages in fourth.
18. From out of distance, student places blade in line. Instructor steps forward with an engagement in fourth. Student lunges with a disengagement in time.
19. Alternate between 14 and 15.
20. Add mobility
21. From the instructor’s invitation in 3rd, three straight thrusts, end of lesson.

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