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

"[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

Everything fenced from this guard can more readily be fenced form other guards, but Meyer wanted to illustrate a few tricks... Play 1 # You Opponent 1 Right change guard Longpoint 2 Strike up from change guard with false edge 3 times 3 Hit from the right side with the flat to their left ear Move steeply upward, i.e. to parry 4 Release your left hand from the pommel and let your blade snap around in one hand upward from below toward their right. Set the front point on their ch

This is my current approach to using 15th-century German fencing theory. You may have a different interpretation—and indeed, the...

Editor's note: this is a much abridged and edited/reworded version of Joachim Meyer's 1570 book. Its purpose was to a) force me to...

This is the first part in my Fencing from first principles (FFFP) series, where I explore a general topic in depth to truly understand...