Rapier 2011

Yesterday I travelled to Aldershot to the Rapier 2011 event hosted by the School of the Sword, as usual I was one of the last to arrive, getting to see a class already in full swing. This class was Caz and Phil (SotS) teaching principals of evasion and counter striking, this allowing both attacker and evader/counter attacker to explore the principles of Alfieri's rapier system simply (I loved the system and not only because we use the same one for longsword), you could see how easily and people were picking it up which speaks highly of it's practicality and the teaching skills of Caz and Phil.

 Then it was my turn to teach, I had a last minute lesson plan change as it seemed that most of this weekend's lessons were to have a similar feel, opting instead of an organic feel to go for a very point by point, precise dissection of Thibault's 7th chapter. One of the frustrations of teaching Thibault is explaining how even an inch drop in the tip of the sword can significantly affect the manner of your approach but fortunately the level of the attendants was generally very good and I was able to use their  own correct responses to alternate pressures and positions to illustrate why we needed a precise posture of the straight line to work against.
My lesson was simply dealing with pushing/subjecting the opponents blade to your inside (left side if you are right handed) line  and reacting to disengages with thrusts to the outside (right if you are right handed). bearing in mind that in effect you are sweeping a sword to the left and taking a total of four steps, it's amazing how you can fill an hour and a half with counters to simple responses.
As it was we managed about to gett half of them, and I was very pleased that the general expressions of doubt turned turned to greater and greater interest as we progressed through the options, this mirrors my own experience and echoes Thibault's sentiment that it may seem counter intuitive but it works.

Then the competition...
another outing of the open rules (some changes of will be going up on the site which had been implemented in time for the competition).
I have to say this is the best run comp I've attended, this is a result of three things.
The rules: these work very well now.
The competitors: these were outstanding on the whole, and good humoured without exception. 
Phil's pool/seeding system.
Most of the fights were a joy to watch and the Phil's system managed the pools so well that we were promised and delivered a stunning final and a worthy winner Thibault Ghesquiere. Thibault was amazing throughout, had the least hits against him throughout the day and frankly kicked arse, Fabrice and co must be very proud.
Oh, Rob Runacres, his last fight must be mentioned as an example of technical excellence and effectiveness. The most gorgeous fight I've witnessed in ages, like watching a manual come to life and get stabby.
One last thing, all of the members of SotS, who made the event possible, thanks so much, you made it great.
There is another day of training today which I had to skip in order to be back for tonight's lesson. but with notables such as Fabrice Cognot, Reinier Van Noort and Andrew Feast teaching it should be another great day. Make sure you are there for the next one, a fantastic event.