HISTORICAL EUROPEAN MARTIAL ARTS
Italian Rapier
Italian styles of fencing with the rapier strongly favored the thrust over the cut, as well as a mostly-linear approach to the fight. These characteristics allowed Italian rapier fencers to anchor their combat around the lunging thrust as a powerful and efficient way to deliver the sword’s point to the target, while also hiding the fencer’s vitals behind a complex sword-hilt and a low, often profiled posture. Like many historical fencing systems, Italian rapier prioritizes defending oneself while striking; the rapier maestri of the early modern period especially emphasized both attacking and defending with a single blade action/movement and within a single moment of fencing time, called a tempo in Italian.​
At Center for Blade Arts, our rapier curriculum draws theory and tactics from early 17th-century sources such as Nicoletto Giganti, Ridolfo Capoferro and Salvator Fabris, while building a foundation of footwork and distance management from CBA’s long history as an Olympic fencing school. This combination of smart movement with the techniques described by the Italian masters teaches CBA rapier fencers to arrive at the right distance at the right time and with the right blade actions to attack safely. Students should expect a moderate-to-intense workout (for both brain and body!) as they practice the Italian way to strike and defend with speed, structure, efficiency and elegance.
Concepts and skills you’ll learn:
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How to hold and carry the weapon in guard while limiting fatigue
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Basic posture, on-guard positions, footwork & attacks
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Misura and tempo (distance and timing), as described in Italian rapier treatises
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Controlling the opponent’s sword while preparing to strike
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Freeing your sword from your opponent’s, and exploiting their actions as an opportunity to attack
CLASSES
SUNDAYS 11:00AM
Italian Rapier Fundamentals (beginner-friendly!):
Coach Andrew offers an hour-long class for students to practice the fundamental skills and concepts of Italian rapier fencing, most importantly: controlling or “finding” the opponent’s sword, freeing the sword from the opponent’s, attacking from a position of advantage, and moving and acting in time with their partner through drills, games and bouting. Students will also have the chance to dabble in use of a parrying dagger in their off-hand.
SATURDAYS 9:00AM
Italian Rapier & Dagger (intermediate/advanced)​
Skill Level: Class-Dependent
Gear Required: Fencing mask, padded fencing jacket, and light/medium-weight gloves; gorget strongly recommended
A limited number of rapiers and parrying daggers are available at CBA to borrow during class periods.
Historical texts to study:
Venetian Rapier by Nicoletto Giganti, translated by Tom Leoni
Italian Rapier Combat by Ridolfo Capoferro, translated by Jared Kirby
Scienza d’Arme (The art of the Italian rapier) by Salvator Fabris, translated by Tom Leoni