Long Sword:

 

Long Sword classes are taught in three parts: Theory, Practice and Experimentation. Each of these parts runs for approximately 1 hour.

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Training swords, fencing masks and protective gloves are available for new participants to use. It is not expected that you will have your own equipment when you start attending classes.

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FSV Long Sword classes are generally taught with 2-handed 'Longswords' but participants may (and do) use any straight sword to participate. Generally speaking double edged swords with uncomplex hilts perform best, but any uncurved sword will suffice. Fencers have used 'Sideswords', 'Arming Swords', or even Rapiers in the classes successfully.

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Participants may attend for some or all the parts/classes, depending on their availability. However, if a participant wishes to only attend the latter parts of the lesson, the supervising instructor must be satisfied that they are capable of doing so and that their presence will not interfere with other participant's learning. All students are expected to use FSV class time to work on developing in their FSV style/s.

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Classes are designed to be welcoming and accommodating to fencers of all experience levels.

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Long Sword - Theory

Tuesday 7:00pm - 8:00pm, FSV Footscray

Saturday 11:00am - 12:00pm, FSV Kew

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This (part of the) class involves the active teaching of the principles, skills, and techniques of Liechtenauer's long sword. 

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Participants can expect this class to consist of choreographed drills; both solo and paired with set roles and focused instruction and correction of how they are performing specific actions.

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This class provides sufficient standalone instruction for participants seeking to learn fencing with the long sword, but with less interest in sparring with the long sword. However, participants will get the best outcomes by attending both this class and the subsequent Practice class.

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New fencers should prioritise attending this class.

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Long Sword - Practice

Tuesday 8:00pm - 9:00pm, FSV Footscray

Saturday 12:00pm - 1:00pm, FSV Kew

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In this (part of the) class, participants will be able to put their long sword theory into practice.

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Participants can expect this class to involve low consequence sparring games which implement specific rules to limit or encourage specific behaviours. This is intended to encourage and/or guide participants into circumstances where they can use the techniques or skills worked on in the earlier Theory class.

 

Participants will get the most out of this class by combining it with the preceding Theory class, as that is likely to provide the 'cheat codes' for the games in the Practice class.

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Long Sword - Experimentation

Tuesday 9:00pm - 10:00pm, FSV Footscray

Saturday 1:00pm - 2:00pm, FSV Kew

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In this (part of the) class, participants will be given freedom to pursue self directed learning.

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This may include further drilling and/or 1-on-1 instruction from the supervising instructor/s, peer-based learning, and/or further sparring opportunites.

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Duelling Swords:

 

These classes explore the use of single handed swords used in gentlemanly duels in the 18th and 19th centuries. Lessons are delivered as two consecutive classes, each focusing on a different weapon.

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Following the two classes there will be time for free learning, when students can further explore concepts or engage in sparring with either weapon system.

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Classes are designed to be welcoming and accommodating to aspiring duellists of all experience levels.

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Duelling Swords - Hiebfechten (Sabre)​

Thursday 7:00pm - 8:00pm, FSV Footscray

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This (part of the) class explores the use of the sabre, a favourite weapon of cavalrymen. We teach from the tradition of the German Berliner Turnschule, a style focused on a dynamic flow of attacking cuts and parries.

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Duelling Swords - Stossefechten (Smallsword)​

Thursday 8:00pm - 9:00pm, FSV Footscray

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This (part of the) class explores the use of the smallsword, a precise and refined weapon for settling affairs of honour. We work from the German Kreussler tradition, a system designed with safety and control of the duel in mind.

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Duelling Swords - Free Learning

Thursday 9:00pm - 10:00pm, FSV Footscray

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This (part of the) class provides participants with the freedom to pursue self directed learning.

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This may include further drilling and/or 1-on-1 instruction from the supervising instructor/s, peer-based learning, and/or further sparring opportunites.