This is a practical guide to smallsword fencing intended for beginners, foilists who wish to try a dueling weapon, and coaches looking for practical exercises for their students. The exercises provided were used in fencing academies centuries ago and are still applicable today. They are easily incorporated into practice sessions. Also included are fight sequences designed to guide the fencer in employing good swordplay when sparring.
This book offers a bit of everything. Fencing expert Michael Stevens outlines for the reader how fencing with a smallsword differs from modern competitive sports fencing, focusing on scoring points and on avoiding injury. He briefly examines the history of the smallsword and has included a section on fencing theory, explaining how to hold the sword and outlining the various thrusts and parries. He provides advice on how to best spar with the smallsword and how to cope with fencers who present different challenges.
Michael J. Stevens started fencing in the late 1960s. He practiced fencing with foil, sabre, and épée, gained a reputation for adopting a classical style, and assisted with teaching novices. Growing disappointment with the way modern competitive fencing has diverged from its classical origins led to his recent interest in smallsword fencing which is more like dueling and where all the old fencing theories are still relevant. He has also published books on schooling horses, which is another of his major interests.
