1. Introduction to the Rapier My Journey and Yours History of the Rapier Wounding with the Rapier A Unified Approach Structures of the Art The Three Tenets Using this Book Mastering the Rapier Note on Left-Handed Fencing Equipment Protective Equipment The Rapier The Right Rapier for You 2. Posture Natural, Comfortable, and Optimal Holding the Sword Positioning the Lower Body The Defensive Posture The Offensive Posture Off-hand Position Alignment Advice The Importance of Being Profiled Target Management Exercise: Postural Isolation 3. Attack & Measure Five Measures Striking from Misura Strettissima Striking from Misura Stretta Striking from Misura Larga Mechanics and Tips Striking from Misura Larghissima: Sword Leading Striking from Misura Larghissima: Off-Side Leading Out of Measure Lunging Measure Drill Resistance Lunging Errors Explored Through Resistance Lunging 4. Movement Advancing and Retreating Steps Sideways Steps Common Footwork Errors Passing Steps Common Passing Step Errors Simple Movement Drill Mirror Movement Drill Tactical: The Measure Game 5. Gaining the Sword The Problem of the Point Lines of Attack Crossing Swords The Three Advantages The Advantage of the True Edge Hand Positions Why Is It Called Prima? Guards The Advantage of Leverage The Advantage of Crossing Gaining the Sword - Approaching Finding the Sword Straight Lines and Oblique Lines Winning the Gaining Race Open, Closed, and Constrained Lines Tactical: Gaining Choice Drill Tactical: The Measure Game II 6. Approaching Different Guards Stronger and Weaker Lines Maintaining the Debole Transports: Finding and Gaining the High Sword Exercise: Resistance Testing Tips on Gaining 7. Recovering Control Cavazione Sotto Cavazione Sopra Volta Stabile While the Opponent is Finding Maintaining Control Tactical: Football Tactical: The Gaining Game 8.
Defence and Counter-Offence Defence when Free Defence Through Gaining Defence of the Leg Defence from Control Defence when Found Defence when Gained 9. Tempo Three Meanings for Tempo Tempo as Rhythm Exercise: Exchanging Full Tempi Exercise: Exchanging Half Tempi Exercise: Sharing Full Tempi Tempo as Opportunity Primo Tempo Tempo as Proportion Due-tempi Exercise: Parata-Risposta Errors in Parata-Risposta Tactical: Primo Tempo vs Due-tempi Contro-tempo Contro-tempo Drill Stringere: Strategic Constraint Angulation and Penetration Tactical: Contro-tempo vs Primo Tempo Mezzo Tempo Tempi in Summary 10. Strategy Tactical Conditioning The True Fight Directions of Movement Understanding the Flow Chart The True Fight Flow Chart Moving Between Measures Exercise: Walking the True Fight Incorporating Line Change Incorporating Pressure Recovering Control in the True Fight 11. From Drill to Combat Freeplay Scaling Speed The Anatomy of a Fight Assess Your Opponent Engagement and Control Control and Strike Control and Choice Making Your Own Tactical Exercises The Learning Cycle 12. Appendix Notes on Historical Terms Glossary 13. Endnotes.