It was the last training night for our Reading students before heading to this weekend’s Fightcamp. The Bolognese group welcomed back guest instructor, Jonathan Middleton, going over some tactics for sword & buckler. Stewart took the rapier group through a few Giganti plays, whilst Simon worked with the beginners.
We still managed to find some time for some exchanges at the end of a very busy session.
On Monday night, our Reading Salle welcomed another new studenti. Chris joined us as a beginner as part of our last intake back in April. He completed our beginners’ course and then over the following weeks has progressed to demonstrate control, efficacy and knowledge of the cuts and guards of bolognese swordplay.
To advance to the rank of studente, beginners have to pass a safety test. Chris passed his on Monday night and will now progress towards full sparring with other students across a number of weapon disciplines.
We’re currently rapidly filling up spaces for our next Reading intake starting in September, so if you’d like to follow Chris and our other Studenti, don’t delay as places are very limited.
Sunday sparring saw a good turnout this past weekend with a number of students wanting to get in some extra practise before the upcoming Fightcamp.
There was a lot of intense sparring for the whole two hours before retiring to the pub to top up on liquids.
A very sweaty and energetic class last Wednesday where we welcomed some new faces and old.
Bolognese worked on variety in cuts and thrusts, as well as defence. Rapier practiced against cuts and expanding repertoire. Candidati (beginners) learned bolognese cut terminology and practiced Marozzo’s first play for sword and buckler.
Our Reading salle had a guest instructor on Monday night in the form of Jonathan Middleton, who took our sword & buckler group through some tournament prep ahead of Fightcamp.
Over in the rapier group, there was also some tournament prep going on in the form of some judged exchanges. Meanwhile, Simon worked with the beginners working towards their safety test.
Taking advantage of the nice weather this past weekend, a number of students decided to get some extra sparring in by all meeting up in one of their gardens.
It was a good high-energy session with lots of good technical sparring.
With our usual instructors away on holiday it was a Reading ‘dojo storm’ at last Wednesday’s Godalming Training, with a large number of students coming to help facilitate the evening as well as get in some extra practise.
Adrian and Lorcan worked with the beginners on Manciolino’s assalti and cutting to a target. The studenti, meanwhile, kicked off the internal ladder league with a number of judged sparring bouts.
