Sample Rapier Lesson 01/13/2026

 

  • From the instructor's invitation in fourth, straight thrust to body
  • From the instructor's invitation in fourth, straight thrust to arm
  • From the instructor's engagement in fourth, disengagement to body
  • From the instructor's engagement in fourth, disengagement to arm
  • From the student's engagement in fourth, glide to body
  • From the student's engagement in fourth, glide to arm
  • From the student's invitation in fourth, parry third and riposte by glide to the body
  • From the student's invitation in fourth, parry third and riposte by glide to the arm
  • From the instructor's invitation in fourth, feint direct (to the body) and disengagement (to the body)
  • From the instructor's invitation in fourth, feint direct (to the arm) and disengagement (to the arm)
  • From the student's invitation in fourth, circular parry fourth, simple parry third, riposte by glide (to the body)
  • From the instructor's invitation in fourth, feint direct (to the body) and deceive (to the body)
  • From the instructor's invitation in fourth, feint direct to the body and deceive to body or arm
  • From the instructor's invitation in fourth, feint direct, deceive, and disengagement (to the body)
    • Note: build up to using the coordinated step with the multiple feints
  • From the student's invitation in fourth, beat direct (using the true or false edge), feint to arm, and disengagement to the body
  • From the student's invitation in third, beat indirect, feint direct (to arm), and disengagement (to body)
  • End of lesson, from the instructor's invitation of fourth, three straight thrusts
If this feels like an epee lesson to you (with the exception of the double feints), you're right! It was very much inspired by actions I learned from epeeists. I personally like to attack the advance target (usually the lead arm), so this lesson focuses on attacking the arm, feinting to the arm, and opening up the arm as a target.

When I did this lesson with my student, I encouraged her to "double tap" and add hits to the arm after completing an action (not listed above). You can add additional hits to the provided actions to make the lesson more dynamic.

As always, if you want to challenge your student further, use mobility and in-time cues.

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