SAMPLE LESSONS

Prepared and maintained by William E. Wilson

NOTE -- These lessons will be changed to reflect the way Fiore di Liberi taught the use of the longsword.

TOPICS OF INSTRUCTION -- Basic Class, Italian Traditions

The following is a list of the basic topics that will be covered in the beginning lessons.

INTRODUCTION

Introduction to History of Longsword, Italian and German Traditions

FOOTWORK

Advance and retreat

Basic Wards/Guards

    Iron Door Guard
    Woman Guard
    Right Window Guard
    Middle Iron Door Guard
   Long Guard
   Middle Guard (Crown)
   Woman Guard Variant
   Wild Boar Guard
   Short Guard
   Left Window Guard
   Long Tail Guard
   Hawk Guard (High)

ATTACKS

Thrusts
Cuts

NOTE -- This series of lessons assumes one formal lesson per week with additional practices to hone skills. Each lesson will begin with stretching and basic warmup.

Section One

FIRST LESSION

The student shall learn how to advance and retreat.
1. Introduction

Talk about history. Go over the weapon. Give an overview of the period masters. Show onguard (using Middle Guard), advance, and retreat. Liberi's diagram shwoing the animals and philosophy should be used to illustrate.

2. On Guard Position

Introduce the Middle Guard as the standard on guard and show the advance and retreat. Discuss the placement of the feet. Woodcuts from Vadi, Liberi or Talhoffer may be used to illustrate (or other master's woorks)

3. Teach the advance and retreat

4. Have students practice the advance and retreat.

SECOND LESSON

The students should be able to successfully advance and retreat. Further practice of the footwork should be done. The Iron Door guards and the Long Guard should be introduced.

1. Teach the new guards.
2. Practice

THIRD LESSON

The student practices the topics from the first & second lesson. New topics to be introduced include the Woman Guard, the Long Tail Guard and the Hawk Guard.

1. Introduction
Discuss the benefits of the guards.
2. Practice the four primary guards
The students take each guard position and move from that position to other guard positions.

FOURTH LESSON

Introduce the Window Guards.

1. Introduction
2. Practice foot movement and guards from lessons one through three.

FIFTH LESSON

The students review everything from the first four lessons.

1. Practice movement.

Section 2

SIXTH LESSON

Introduction to the cut.

1. Introduction
The students are shown the various cuts.
2. Practice

SEVENTH LESSON

The student is shown the thrust.

1. Introduction
2. Practice.

EIGHTH LESSON

The students are shown the transition from attacks to defensive positions.

1. Introduction
2. Practice

Ninth Lesson

General Practice.

1. Practice the use of the sword for parrying thrusts and cuts.

Tenth Lesson

Review

1. Practice movement, attacks and defense. Use line drills and individual lessons to illustrate the points.
2. Have the more advanced students attack the beginning students so they may practice their defense.

Section 3

Eleventh Lesson

Introduction to Giocco Stretto (Close combat).

1. Go over the various blade control techniques, diarmament, and wrestling techniques.
2. General practice.

Twelfth Lesson

Instruct on the use of the Short Guard and binds of the blade in preparation for Giocco Stretto.

1. Instruct in the use of the Short Guard and closing manuevers.
2. Practice the cuts.

Thirteenth Lesson

Instruct on blade control and disarmament.

1. Show blade control and disarm techniques.
2. Practice

Fourteenth Lesson

Instruct on wrestling techniques

1. Talk about grips and throws.
2. Practice using these movements.

Fifteenth Lesson

Review

1. Review the topics presented in the first 14 lessons.
2. Practice.