How to gain advantage when your blade is subjected from above

Weapon: Rapier

Source: Lórenz de Rada -Nobleza de la Espada, 1705

…and suddenly during fighting your sword is found under the blade of your opponent’s sword. You can sense the pressure on your rapier and you feel helpless…..BUT are you really? In La Verdadera Destreza we do not think so. In this workshop and using the atajos from below from maestro Francisco Lórenz de Rada (Nobleza de la Espada, 1705) as a Guide, we shall see that being underneath the opponent’s blade is not that bad after all. It is not loss of control. On the contrary it is a check point (or an invitation?) where you limit your opponent’s options and move or act accordingly. We shall see all the possible actions of the opponent and we shall examine our options opposing to them or acting before.

Skill level of Participants: Any skill level
Needed Equipment: rapier, gloves, mask, chest and neck protectors

About the trainer – George Zacharopoulos

George Zacharopoulos is studying and training in Historical European Martial Arts for more than 16 years with a fondness for the German longsword and the Italian & Spanish rapier. He is currently the head-instructor of Academia da Espada Hellas, the Greek chapter of the Spanish organization Academia da Espada. Previous experience include Ninjutsu, Combined Chinese and Filipino Boxing (by Angelos Fasois), Sport Fencing, Sport Archery. Also certified Knife Instructor of the Reality Based Personal Protection system by Jim Wagner. He has participated in HEMA events and taught workshops in Greece, Europe and USA. Co-author (with Chrysovalantis Tampakakis) of the first book for HEMA in Greek, entitled “The Knightly art of the Sword” by Batsioulas Publications in 2011. A translation in English from Greek, of Philipp Muller’s “Theoretical and Applied introduction to Swordsmanship” 1847 military sabre treatise (with Elias Stypas) is out by Fallen Rook Publishing. He has also translated “Las Cien Conclusiones” a 17th century text by Luis Pacheco de Narváez, from Spanish to Greek, a publication released by AGEA Editora. Member of HEMAC and currently vice-president of the International Federation for Historical European Martial Arts (IFHEMA)