Basic Lesson Plans

Chris Slee chris@longedgefencing.com
2021-07-18

The outline below lists the bare-bones of the LongEdge Fencing curriculum. Each lesson is divided into the knowledge provided by the lesson and the exercises used to deliver it. The triggers for OODA/Pavlovian responses are included under knowledge. What is not listed here is the the details of the method of teaching or any games or other activities.

Knowledge:

• Stance
• Half-thrust
• True edge and false edge

Exercises:

• 1-2-3-4 (solo)
• 1-2-3-4 (to subject the partner)

Knowledge:

• Strong and weak
• The “line”
• Tempo

Triggers:

• Partner disengages
• Partner contests the engagement

Exercises:

• Finger pressure at strong and weak of the blade
• Engage the partner. Partner contesting the engagement. Disengage and half-thrust.
• Engage the partner. Partner disengages to re-take the line. Make a half-thrust.

This section covers the situation in which the opponent wants to engage and dominate your blade. You will recognise this situation by these attributes:

• Opponent keeps pushing your point off-line,
• Opponent disengages or cuts over to re-engage and dominate the line.

Knowledge:

• Tactical use of subjection on the inside line vs sword alone
• Tactical use of subjection on the inside line vs sword and off-hand held together

Triggers:

• Partner disengages
• Partner contests

Exercises:

• Half-thrust to subject opponent to your inside line. Opponent disengages. Rear-foot pass.
• Half-thrust to subject opponent to your inside line. Opponent contests. Disengage and rear-foot pass.

Knowledge:

• Tactical use of subjection on the outside line vs sword alone
• Tactical use of subjection on the outside line vs sword and off-hand held together

Triggers:

• Partner disengages
• Partner contests

Exercises:

• Half-thrust to subject opponent to your inside line. Opponent disengages. Volte or gather and step to the outside.
• Half-thrust to subject opponent to your inside line. Opponent contests. Volte or gather and step to the outside.

Knowledge:

• Simple actions

Triggers:

• Opponent within measure and does nothing vs sword alone

Exercises:

• Quarte over the arm
• Beat and enter

Knowledge:

• Provocation in an extended position vs sword alone

Triggers:

• Opponent attacks the sword

Exercises:

• Parry postures in tierce and quarte.
• Present the sword to provoke. Opponent attacks the sword. Withdraw, parry then riposte.
• Present the sword to provoke. Opponent attacks the sword. Make a rond while withdrawing to parry then riposte.

Knowledge:

• Provocation with a half-thrust

Triggers:

• Opponent counter-attacks into your half-thrust
• Your half-thrust is parried and/or pushed off the line

Exercises:

• Parry postures in tierce and quarte.
• Half-thrust. Opponent counter-attacks into it. Withdraw, parry then riposte.
• Half-thrust. Opponent counter-attacks into it. Make a rond while withdrawing to parry then riposte.

Knowledge:

• The off-hand assists the sword

Exercises:

• Parry with sword, control with off-hand, riposte with sword.

Knowledge:

• Decision-making is slow

Situation:

• Sword and off-hand held apart

Triggers:

• Opponent parries with off-hand
• Opponent parries with sword

Exercise:

• Thrust between the sword and off-hand. Opponent reacts with off-hand. Disengage around the off-hand and take the attack path on that line.
• Thrust between the sword and off-hand. Opponent reacts with sword. Disengage around the off-hand and take the attack path on that line.

Knowledge:

• Actions of opportunity

Exercises:

• Parry to the inside stepping in. Grab opponent's hilt. Twist and thrust.
• Parry to the outside stepping in. Grab opponent's hilt. Lift and thrust.
• Lay blade over the opponent's arm. Press opponent's sword to the side.

Knowledge:

• Tempo of the foot

Triggers:

• The opponent's feet move

Exercises:

• Opponent moves into measure. Thrust taking the attack path in the opposite direction.
• Opponent moves into off the line. Thrust taking the attack path in the opposite direction.