Learn Rapier V. - Second Guard
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Rapier Guard·Martin Fabian
Part V. of my new video series about fencing with the symbol of the renaissance - the rapier, according to the teachings…
Rapier Guard
SubFamilyレイピア構え(Reipia Kamae)
HybridTranslation: rapier guard
Overview
The Rapier Guard subfamily covers the four primary guard positions of Italian rapier fencing — Prima, Seconda, Terza, and Quarta — each named for the hand position (first through fourth) and corresponding to the four classical fencing invitations. [1] Each guard protects specific lines while threatening thrusts to others, and the system of four guards creates a comprehensive framework for controlling the engagement. [1],[2] Salvator Fabris and Capoferro both describe these four guards as the foundation of rapier defence, with the choice of guard dictating available offensive and defensive options. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Rapier guards were systematised by Renaissance Italian masters, with Agrippa's four primary guards forming the foundation adopted across Europe. [1]
Competition Record
Rapier guards are actively used in HEMA rapier tournaments worldwide. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Cutting, thrusting, or striking with a bladed weapon — edge alignment and trajectory determine cutting effectiveness
Joints Involved — Wrists (edge alignment and rotation), elbows (extension for thrusts, chambering for cuts), shoulders (arc of the cut), hips (power generation)
Force Vector — Varies — downward diagonal cut (kesa-giri), horizontal cut (yoko-giri), thrust (tsuki), or rising cut (kiri-age)
Weapon Mechanic — Edge alignment (hasuji) is critical — the blade must travel along its cutting plane for effective cuts
Position & Entry
From ready stance (chudan-no-kamae or equivalent) — Assume guard position, establish distance (ma-ai), execute the cut or thrust when an opening appears
From engagement distance — Use footwork to close to striking range, execute the technique with proper edge alignment (hasuji)
As counter — Wait for the opponent's attack, deflect or avoid, and counter-cut to the exposed target
Videos
Learn Rapier IV. - First Guard
0
Rapier Guard·Martin Fabian
Part IV. of my new video series about fencing with the symbol of the renaissance - the rapier, according to the teaching…
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— FIE — Legal fencing technique — governed by FIE rules for...
FIE Rules of CompetitionPDFHEMA — Legal in historical fencing competition {src— various organizations
Training Notes
✓Rapier guards are the defensive positions from which all offensive and defensive actions originate — each guard protects specific lines while positioning the point to threaten the opponent (Capo Ferro, Gran Simulacro, 1610)
✓The primary rapier guards are organized by the hand position (supination and pronation) and height (high and low), creating four basic guards corresponding to the four quadrants
✓Italian rapier guards: Terza (third, hand in neutral position), Quarta (fourth, hand pronated), Seconda (second, hand supinated slightly)
✓The point must always threaten: in every rapier guard, the tip of the blade is directed at the opponent — a guard without threat is merely a passive position
✓The guard hand position determines which lines are open and closed: each rotation of the hand closes one line while opening another
✓Rapier guards are held at extended or semi-extended arm: unlike longsword guards, the arm is forward to maximize reach and minimize the distance the thrust must travel
✓The off-hand (free hand, dagger hand) provides additional defence in most rapier traditions — it can parry, grapple, or control distance
Common Mistakes
!Holding the guard with a retracted arm — the arm should be extended or semi-extended to minimize thrust distance
!Not directing the point at the opponent — every guard must threaten with the point
!Using the same guard for all situations — different guards protect different lines; adapt to the opponent's actions
!Holding the guard with excessive tension — the hand must be relaxed enough for quick changes
!Not understanding which lines each guard covers — each guard protects specific quadrants; know them
!Dropping the guard between actions — the guard must be maintained whenever not actively attacking
!Ignoring the off-hand — the off-hand provides critical additional defence in most rapier systems
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1En Garde — assume the fencing ready position with proper blade presentation
2Advance/Lunge Preparation — close distance with footwork
3Attack — execute the touch with right-of-way (if applicable) and proper point/edge
4Recovery — return to en garde after the action
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Art of Fencing (Luigi Barbasetti, 1932)
1BookThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] The Sword and the Centuries (Castle, 1901) [2] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014) [3] Old Sword-Play (Hutton, 1892)
2BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe (Anglo, 2000) [2] The Swordsman's Companion (Windsor, 2004)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] The Sword and the Centuries (Castle, 1901) [2] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014) [3] Old Sword-Play (Hutton, 1892)
5CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe (Anglo, 2000) [2] The Swordsman's Companion (Windsor, 2004)
Community
Athletics
Requires
wrist control for edge alignment, grip endurance, footwork precision
Favours
quick wrists, strong forearms, good posture
Key muscles
forearm extensors/flexors, deltoids, core, calves
Sub-techniques
Quarta Guard
GenusQuarta (fourth guard) positions the hand with the palm facing upward (supinated), the blade angled across the body to protect the inside low line and threaten a thrust to the opponent's flank or abdomen. [1] Quarta is the guard most commonly used for parrying thrusts to the inside line and is the foundation of the modern fencing parry of quarte. [1,2] From Quarta, the fencer can deliver a riposte thrust along the inside line with minimal blade movement. [2,3]
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Seconda Guard
GenusSeconda (second guard) positions the hand with the palm facing outward (pronated), the blade angled to protect the outside low line and threaten a thrust beneath the opponent's arm. [1] Seconda is a powerful guard for controlling the outside line and is particularly effective in combination with a forward step (passata) to deliver a thrust under the opponent's weapon. [1,2] This guard is the basis of the modern fencing parry of seconde. [2,3]
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Terza Guard
GenusTerza (third guard) positions the hand with the palm facing to the right (half-supinated), the blade extended along the centreline to threaten the opponent's chest or face. [1] Terza is the most neutral and commonly adopted guard in Italian rapier, providing balanced protection of both high and low lines while maintaining a direct threat. [1,2] Capoferro's preferred fighting stance places the sword arm in Terza, making it the default position for initiating attacks. [2,3]
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between First Guard and Sekonda in terms of parrying cuts?
Sekonda is suited even more to parry a cut than First Guard. According to Martin Fabian, you can provoke a cut by pushing the opponent's sword to the side, then parry their strike with your extended sword and thrust into their chest.
How do I use body movement to protect myself if my parry fails in First Guard?
Martin Fabian emphasizes leaning away with your head and body when executing techniques in First Guard, so that if your technique fails, you can still evade the opponent's blade through body movement alone.
How do I set up a successful parry and thrust combination?
Push your opponent's blade out of the line to call for a calazione (tempo), forcing them to return to the center line where you can execute a combined parry and thrust against their cut from either side while keeping your arm extended.
How does the Rapier Guard work?
The Rapier Guard subfamily covers the four primary guard positions of Italian rapier fencing — Prima, Seconda, Terza, and Quarta — each named for the hand position (first through fourth) and corresponding to the four classical fencing invitations. Each guard protects specific lines while threatening thrusts to others, and the system of four guards creates a comprehensive framework for controlling the engagement.
Where does the Rapier Guard come from?
The four-guard system of Italian rapier fencing was codified by Salvator Fabris in Lo Schermo (1606) and refined by subsequent masters. This four-guard framework directly influenced the development of modern fencing's parry system (parry of prime through quarte).
Is the Rapier Guard legal in competition?
FIE: legal — Legal fencing technique — governed by FIE rules for foil, épée, and sabre; HEMA: legal — Legal in historical fencing competition
How dangerous is the Rapier Guard?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
How do I set up the Rapier Guard?
The standard setup chain: En Garde → Advance/Lunge Preparation → Attack → Recovery.
How do I defend against the Rapier Guard?
Standard counters include: Beat Parry — deflect the blade with a sharp lateral beat before it reaches target / Displacement — move the body off the line while threatening with the point / Counter-Thrust — extend into the attacker's line during their advance.
What are the variants of the Rapier Guard?
Common variants: Standard cut (primary cutting angle from the ready stance); Thrust (tsuki) (straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face); Rising cut (kiri-age) (upward diagonal cut from low to high); Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) (downward diagonal cut following the kimono line).
How effective is the Rapier Guard in competition?
Rapier guards are actively used in HEMA rapier tournaments worldwide.
What are common mistakes when doing the Rapier Guard?
Top errors to watch for: Holding the guard with a retracted arm — the arm should be extended or semi-extended to minimize thrust distance / Not directing the point at the opponent — every guard must threaten with the point / Using the same guard for all situations — different guards protect different lines; adapt to the opponent's actions / Holding the guard with excessive tension — the hand must be relaxed enough for quick changes.
What are other names for the Rapier Guard?
The Rapier Guard is also known as Reipia Kamae, Guardia, Rapier Guard Position, Ward.