Variations of this question pop up on Reddit all the time: can I learn fencing by myself? Can I learn sabre or rapier from a book? There aren't any clubs near me… etc. Let's pick this question apart as it could have several meanings: Someone wants to learn fencing from scratch, by themselves, with no other people, and no one teaching them other than videos and books. Someone already has a base in fencing (perhaps longsword or sabre) but wants to independently learn a new syst

The hierarchy of control is - as I've been informed by a professor who has been involved in safety research for the last 35+ years - one of the few safety models that has actually, demonstrably, improved safety. In short, it simply states that actions taken to control risk are more effective at the top of the hierarchy than those at the bottom. It doesn't mean that actions should not be taken at the bottom of the hierarchy, just that those at the top should be considered fir

If you keep eating thrusts when you are in Plough and don't know why, then read on. "Your Pflug is open!" Huh? If someone says this to you, no, the Velcro on your breeches hasn't come undone - again... It means your plough (plow for my American friends) is crappy. Plough - Posta Breva, whatever you want to call it - is one of the best guards in Longsword. When your hands are safely tucked in, it is one of the few guards that doesn't expose your hands to a hand snipe, gets yo

"[This] Is actually allocated to the high guards. It is only used in the bind after you have come under your opponent’s sword. You should refrain from moving into this guard for as long as you see your opponent’s point and blade still in front of you, as you will not be safe from anything [in front of you] in this [guard]. However, as soon as you come under their sword, then this is one of the most exemplary guards, and you use it thusly:" Play 1 "When you have now come under