The rapier was the Renaissance dueling weapon par excellence, and Giganti’s system of the rapier is particularly comprehensive. This workshop will introduce students to the rapier as a well-rounded weapon, employing cuts as well as thrusts, passing as well as linear footwork, and emphasizing taking the tempo. Taking the tempo involves exploiting the predictable movements of one’s opponent and is the safest method of attacking with the rapier; if you know how your opponent will move, it becomes easy strike where they are open and to avoid their strikes.
