Saber Combat Academy LtdLongsword Syllabus Cheat-Sheet – Level One

Please use this sheet as a reference and glossary of terms used in ‘Level One: The Page’ of Saber Combat Academy Ltd.’s Fiore Longsword syllabus. This is intended to be used in partnership with class attendance as only brief descriptions of the terms are given and this, by no means, is the full instruction of the element. The terms below are listed by importance and regularity of use.

General Terms Longsword – A Two-Handed, Double-Edged & Pointed Sword with Crossguard and Pommel Synthetic/Steel – Longswords are trained primarily with synthetic swords, once correct form is practiced, the

opportunity arises to move onto steel sword fencing. Fiore Furlano Di’Liberi – Late 14th Century Knight who created the ‘Fior di Bataglia’ Instruction Manuals Syllabus Levels – The syllabus is broken into 5 levels, starting with the basics and then moving through to more

advanced practices over the course of the syllabus. The levels are Page, Squire, Knight, Lord/Lady & King/Queen respectively.

Grading – Students are tested, observed and challenged to demonstrate an understanding of the theory and practical elements of the level they are studying before being allowed to move into the next level of training.

Protective Equipment – Includes but is not limited to: Helmets, Gloves, Shin/Wrist Guards, Knee/Elbow Guards and Chest Protection. SCA provide helmets but students are encouraged to purchase their own protective equipment to ensure a correct fit.

Tabard – The traditional outer garment of a Knight, worn to represent their lord’s and their own heraldry. In class, students are divided into Red and Black tabards.

HEMA – Historical European Martial Arts, covers a wide range of fighting techniques from European History.

Training & Combat Terms Guards – Referring to the set position as taught by Fiore, certain guards allow for a more solid defence, a

more active offence or the ability to switch and deceive the opponent. Guards are strict and should be recreated as faithfully and correctly as possible to the original positions. The guards for Level One are:

o Posta Longa – Long Guardo Porta de Ferro – The Iron Dooro Dente de Zenghiaro – The Boar’s Tusko Posta de Donna (Destra) – The Woman (by the right)o Posta de Donna (Sinestra) – The Woman (by the left)o On-Guard – Ready to engage but not yet in a Guard.

Four Steps/Three Turns – Footwork is divided into 7 movements, further broken down to 4 steps and 3 turns.o Passare/Tornare – Passing Step forwards, Passing Step backwardso Accrescere/Discrescere – Advancing forwards, front foot leads and back foot follows. Retreating

backwards, back foot leads, front foot follows.o Volta Stabile – Stable Turn, the transference of weight between the feet to rearrange the body

without moving the feet.o Meza Volta – Half Turn, a pivoting step forwards or back, allowing the shift from forehand lead to

backhand lead and vice versa.o Tutta Volta – Whole Turn, sweeping the back leg around the stable front to reposition the aim of

your centre line (practiced through 180o). The Centre Line – The imaginary, straight line that connects the two opposing fighters through the chest. Forehand/Backhand – Your primary (dominant) hand is your Forehand side, your other hand (recessive) is

your Backhand side. Traditionally, the right is the forehand, the left is the backhand. Measure – The distance between two fighters.

o Correct Measure – A single step and extended strike is the correct distance from your opponent. Leading with the True Edge/False Edge – The True Edge is the forward facing edge of the blade, aligned with

the index finger when held correctly. The False Edge is the rear facing edge of the blade and aligns with the thumb when held in a correct grip.

Parts of the Sword – Blade, Crossguard, Grip and Pommel. The blade is divided further into three parts:o Punta Spada – Point of the Sword, the tip and upper third of the blade. Best Attack, Weak Defence.o Meza Spada – Middle of the Sword, the middle third of the blade. Equal at Attack and Defence.o Tutta Spada – Whole Sword, the bottom third of the blade. Strongest Defence, Weak Attack.o Crossguard – The protective guard that sits at the bottom of the blade and protects the hands.o Grip – The handle of the sword, long enough for two hands plus a small gap between.

o Pommel – The counter weight at the bottom of the grip, used to help control the sword. Three Rings of Defence – Outer, Middle & Inner Rings, the outer is the length of the extended arm and sword

blade, defences made out here are considered very safe. The middle is the length of the arm only, defences made here are strong but difficult to counter from. The inner ring is as close to the body as possible, often done through instinct and are untrained and feral, best avoided.

Block Defence – The act of defending the body from an incoming strike by creating a solid wall with your sword blade, the blade is vertical in most cases, the point nor pommel in play.

Point Defence – The act of keeping the point of the sword aimed at the centre line while making a defence. Correct Strike – The act of making contact with your opponent in a legal zone, in a controlled and practiced

manner. Correct Strikes do not cause harm, land safely and lead with the edges of the blade. Legal Zones – Areas that are safe to attack. Everywhere except the Back of the Head/Neck and Groin. Edge vs Flat – To correctly use a sword, one must use the edges of the blade and not the flat. Flat/Flat is

damaging to both swords. Edge/Edge is strong and stable. Edge/Flat is unbalanced and will give Edge the advantage in most cases.

Four Angles of Attack – The angles of attack are as follows:o Mandritto – Forehando Roverso – Backhando Fendente – Descendingo Sottano – Rising

In combinations, for example: Forehand Descending – Mandritto Fendente Pommel Strike – Using the pommel of the sword to strike the opponent on the mask or chest. Binding – The act of meeting an incoming attack with an attack and locking blades together to attempt to

achieve an advantage. Cut Over/Disengage – To Cut Over, blades are in a bind and your blade slides up, over the opponent’s tip and

back down the other side. To Disengage, blades are in a bind and your blade slides down and pulls away at their Crossguard before entering on the other side of the blade.

Full Measure/Half Measure – A Full Measure swing lets the blade travel through the centre line. A Half-Measure swing stops the point on the centre line.

Timing, Flow & Structure – Elements of correct swordplay that control how the body moves. Timing refers to when you make a movement according to the situation. Flow is the ease and grace of the movement. Structure refers to how well the movement is supported by the body and its ability to withstand a counter.

Inside/Outside – Referring to the position of your blade versus your opponent’s blade. To be inside, your blade must be able to touch their body without interference. Being outside means that your opponent has their blade between yours and their body.

Unarmed Guards – Taught as part of the initial structure of the guards, the unarmed guards are as follows:o Longa – Longo Porta de Ferro – The Iron Dooro Dente de Zenghiaro – The Boar’s Tusko Posta Frontale – Frontal Pose

Duelling – The formal engagement of two or more combatants in a competitive situation. Salute – As a sign of respect, every duel begins with a salute. No Exceptions. Elements of Control – Referring to the ability to pull strikes, read the opponent’s intentions and to have

knowledge of your weapon. This also includes perceiving distances, concentration and the ability to leave emotional concerns or reactions outside of the class.

Pulling Strikes – Making a full speed strike with the intention of stopping just short of impact or to impact with a feather-light touch. The aim is not to cause harm.

Weight Distribution – The ability to move weight smoothly from the toes to the heels and back again. Tail-Bone Alignment – The tail-bone (coccyx) to be tucked under the hips allowing the spine to be straight. Correct Posture and Placement – Upright, balanced and weighted equally between the feet. Back straight

and feet facing the same direction unless the guard requires otherwise. The correct posture will withstand any forward or backwards pressure.