Fencing With the Smallsword

This is a practical guide to smallsword fencing intended for beginners,foilists who wish to try a dueling weapon, and coaches looking forpractical exercises for their students. The exercises provided were thesame used in fencing academies centuries ago and are still applicabletoday. They are easily incorporated into practice sessions. Also includedare fight sequences designed to guide the fencer in employing goodswordplay when sparring.

This book offers a bit of everything. Fencing expert Michael Stevensoutlines how fencing with a smallsword differs from modern competitivesports fencing, focusing on scoring points and on avoiding injury. Hebriefly examines the history of the smallsword and has included a sectionon fencing theory, explaining how to hold the sword and outlining thevarious thrusts and parries. He provides advice on how to best spar withthe smallsword and how to cope with fencers who present differentchallenges.



Michael J. Stevens started fencing in the late 1960s. He practiced fencingwith foil, sabre, and épée; gained a reputation for adopting a classical style;and assisted with teaching novices. Growing disappointment with the waymodern competitive fencing has diverged from its classical origins led to hisrecent interest in smallsword fencing which is more like dueling and whereall the old fencing theories are still relevant. He has also published bookson schooling horses, which is another of his major interests.