Post by Dante di Pietro on Sept 15, 2020 6:05:54 GMT -5
This quick and easy read, weighing in at only 90 pages, is perhaps the best manual for someone who is unwilling to devote substantial time to study but still wants to learn a functional system of fencing. To be clear, this system does not have the range of artistic expression found in more complex systems like Fabris or Thibault, but it does offer far greater accessibility as a result. Docciolini's manual is something that you could read in day, generally understand, and begin practicing with modest success.
This manual is predominantly set up as a series of "if, then" statements: stand like this; if you want to attack here, do this; if you are attacked there, do this; and so on. It is very direct in its instruction and perfectly suitable for its function. There is not very much to be said for nuance, but that is a feature and not a bug of this manual. There is a comfortable simplicity to instructions that take only the barest of summary to distill down to "stand in guard, keep your point lined up with the opponent's shoulder, and when that line is open, attack."
Some of the bladework instructions are quite different than what you might be experienced with already, as Docciolini will have you do some very interesting and unexpected parries. They work, and are martially sound... but they're different than a simple block.
This connects to one of the best parts of the manual: the footwork. There is one diagram to show measure and stepping patterns, and Docciolini delightfully advocates circling out on angles after an attack akin to a modern boxer, then attacking some more. The diagram (below) is simple and clear:
Instructions might be something like: "stand on C and B, lunge by stepping from B to A, then recover C to G and A to F." Simple.Clear. And, setting up your next attack in decisive fashion!
I think this is the gold standard manual for someone who wants to learn to fence and thinks that historical fencing demands an unreasonable level of effort. This manual works, and works quickly. Its uncomplicated approach could be perfect for any practice looking to get everyone on the same page.
Docciolini's manual.
This manual is predominantly set up as a series of "if, then" statements: stand like this; if you want to attack here, do this; if you are attacked there, do this; and so on. It is very direct in its instruction and perfectly suitable for its function. There is not very much to be said for nuance, but that is a feature and not a bug of this manual. There is a comfortable simplicity to instructions that take only the barest of summary to distill down to "stand in guard, keep your point lined up with the opponent's shoulder, and when that line is open, attack."
Some of the bladework instructions are quite different than what you might be experienced with already, as Docciolini will have you do some very interesting and unexpected parries. They work, and are martially sound... but they're different than a simple block.
This connects to one of the best parts of the manual: the footwork. There is one diagram to show measure and stepping patterns, and Docciolini delightfully advocates circling out on angles after an attack akin to a modern boxer, then attacking some more. The diagram (below) is simple and clear:
Instructions might be something like: "stand on C and B, lunge by stepping from B to A, then recover C to G and A to F." Simple.Clear. And, setting up your next attack in decisive fashion!
I think this is the gold standard manual for someone who wants to learn to fence and thinks that historical fencing demands an unreasonable level of effort. This manual works, and works quickly. Its uncomplicated approach could be perfect for any practice looking to get everyone on the same page.
Docciolini's manual.