Stop thinking of actions as either offensive or defensive, and instead approach them as merely changing from position to position.

Weapon: Longsword

Source: Liechtenauer longsword (Ringeck, Pseudo Von Danzig)

The Liechtenauer fencing texts tell us to fence with our entire body. Yet, when the pressure is on and we’re hungry for the hit, it’s all too tempting to try to reach just that little bit further, sacrificing power, structure and safety, just to let our sword make contact with our opponent.

In this workshop, we’ll explore shifting our focus from our arms to our bodies, so we can move in such a way that it is our entire body that powers our actions, instead of just our arms. After all, no matter how much time you spend in the gym for extremely specific arm exercises, your entire body will always be stronger than just your arms! Moving this way then allows us to explore shifting our focus from a more parry-riposte-like distinction between offensive and defensive actions, to instead moving from position to position with actions that are supported by the entire body and can cover you as well as pose a threat to your opponent.

Skill level of Participants: Any skill level
Needed Equipment: Minimum required gear: Longsword, mask with back of head protection, gorget, chestplate and some type of gloves. If you want to train at a higher intensity, you may choose to add a jacket, elbow protection and heavier gloves.

About the trainer – Michel Rensen

When I first went to a trial lesson at Zwaard & Steen in 2013 as a way to keep myself from just sitting at the computer playing video games all day, every day, I could never have imagined to what extent fencing would take over my life. By now, I have been fencing, reading, competing, studying, sparring, learning and teaching for over a decade. I may have dabbled in the occasional other weapon at times, but my main interest and specialty during all of that time has been the longsword. The past two years, though, I’ve been seriously into rapier too, which in turn is teaching me more about longsword. That’s the great thing about HEMA: you never run out of new things to learn and discover!