The Principles and Practices of Solo Training: A Guide for Historical Martial Artists, Sword People, and Everyone Else

Sports & Outdoors

Windsor, Guy

Individual Sports

Spada Press

Windsor, Dr Guy

The warriors, knights and duellists of old depended on their skill at arms for their lives. You can learn their techniques and tactics too. From renowned swordsman and teacher Guy Windsor comes an indispensable resource for anyone interested in martial arts, swordsmanship, and history. Through this book Guy will teach you how to train your mind and body to become an expert in historical martial arts. It includes the seven principles of mastery, considers the ethics of martial arts, and goes into detail about the process of recreating historical martial arts from written sources. On the practical side, Guy explains how to develop your skills, and lays out the path for students to become teachers, covering the basics of safe training, looking after your body, and even starting your own training group and teaching basic classes. An accessible, motivating read that includes many suggestions for further study, including courses, books and other resources, this book sets out to answer every question about historical martial arts you may have. Note that this is not a training manual for a specific style: it provides the foundations for every style. Your journey starts here. You decide where it ends.

The Theory and Practice of Historical Martial Arts (The Swordsman's Quick Guide)

Politics & Social Sciences

Philosophy

Medieval Manuscript to Modern Practice: The Wrestling Techniques of Fiore dei Liberi (From Medieval Manuscript to Modern Practice)

History

Europe

“Guy has the rare talent of making this material accessible” -Neal Stephenson (from his Foreword to Swordfighting) “Guy Windsor's greatest gift to WMA/HEMA is his marvellous ability to translate period language into a meaningful experience for modern WMA/HEMA practitioners and he has once more shown his ability to do exactly that.” - Adam, reviewing Veni Vadi Vici on Amazon. From the late fifteenth century comes a detailed manuscript on knightly combat, written by Philippo Vadi. Dedicated to one of the most famous Italian condottiere of the age, Guidobaldo, Duke of Urbino, this book covers the theory of combat with the longsword, as well as dozens of techniques of the sword, the spear, the pollax, and the dagger. This black and white paperback edition of The Art of Sword Fighting in Earnest includes a detailed introduction, setting Vadi and his combat style in their historical context, a complete translation of the manuscript, and a detailed commentary from the perspective of the practising martial artist. Please note it does not include a facsimile of the manuscript, but that may be downloaded from a link provided in the text. This volume is the second edition of Dr. Windsor’s earlier work, Veni Vadi Vici, updating the translation and the introduction. This is essential reading for any practitioner of knightly combat, academic historian, or enthusiast for the quattrocento period of Italian history.

The Art of Sword Fighting in Earnest: Philippo Vadi's De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi

Vadi, Philippo

Military

Take a beginners’ course with world-renowned swordsmanship instructor Dr. Guy Windsor, through this innovative workbook format. 
With this 70+ page workbook you can learn the basics of rapier fencing. The book is illustrated with extracts from historical sources, and supported by over twenty video clips, linked to in the text. All you need is a training partner, a smartphone, tablet, or computer, and a couple of practice rapiers and fencing masks. 
The book is organised in four sessions or classes, which covers all this and more:\nfootwork 
sword handling 
stringering 
attack by disengage 
parry riposte in one tempo 
feints 
parry riposte in two tempi 
thrusts 
cuts 
beat attack\nThe workbook is laid out for right-handers with the space for notes on the right hand page. All video clips show the techniques done right-handed and left-handed.

The Rapier Part One Beginners Workbook: Right Handed Layout (The Rapier Workbooks, Right Handed Layout)

The Rapier Part One Beginners Workbook: Left Handed Layout (The Rapier Workbooks: Left Handed Layout)

Complete your basic training! 
With this 80+ page workbook you can complete your knowledge of Capoferro’s rapier plays, building a strong foundation on which to construct your fencing skills. 
The book is organised through the Rapier Footwork Form, with each chapter adding steps to the Form, first as pair drills, and then practised solo. This ensures that you will have little difficulty remembering the new material. 
The book is illustrated with extracts from historical sources, and supported by video clips, linked to in the text. All you need is a training partner, a smartphone, tablet, or computer, and a couple of practice rapiers and fencing masks. 
This version is laid out for right-handers, with space for written notes on the right hand page. If you are left handed we recommend choosing the version laid out for you. All techniques are shown in the videos for both right handers and left handers.

The Rapier Part Two Completing The Basics Workbook: Right Handed Layout (The Rapier Workbooks, Right Handed Layout)

The Rapier Part Two Completing The Basics Workbook: Left Handed Layout (The Rapier Workbooks: Left Handed Layout)

With this workbook you can take your skills to the next level. We will cover how to train: how to take things you already know, and make them actually work under pressure. To become a swordsman/swordswoman/swordsperson, not just someone who knows some sword moves. This is the heart of swordsmanship, and its most sophisticated element. 
You will learn how to systematically add depth and complexity to the basic drills you already know, bridging the gap between choreographical drill practice, and free fencing. You will learn how to keep your practice in the optimum band between too-easy and too-hard, and you will learn the basics of coaching, which is all about creating that optimum level of difficulty for your partner. 
This version is laid out for right-handers, with space for written notes on the right-hand page. If you are left-handed we recommend choosing the version laid out for you. All technical exercises are shown in the videos for both right-handers and left-handers.

The Rapier Part Three Develop Your Skills: Right Handed Layout (The Rapier Workbooks, Right Handed Layout)

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