10 Solo Rapier Drills in 5 minutes
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Terza Guard·Blood and Iron HEMA
Sometimes it can be difficult to find the time to work with a group, so here are 10 solo drills you can do with a Rapier…
Terza Guard
Genusテルツァ構え(Terutsa Kamae)
HybridTranslation: terza guard
Overview
Terza (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]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Terza was described by Italian rapier masters as one of the four fundamental guard positions. [1]
Competition Record
Terza is commonly used in HEMA rapier and longsword competition. [1]
Images
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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
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
Videos
Learn the Art of Combat: Longsword Guards - Beginners Guide
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Terza Guard·Björn Rüther
Knowing the guards in the long sword, knowing which techniques and concepts to apply from each posture, and being able t…
Learn to fight with the Greatsword! A tutorial on Figueyredo's simple rules 1-16
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Terza Guard·Virtual Fechtschule
A year ago, I went out to Teylingen castle in 32 degrees of heat, to record all of Figueyredo's simple rules for the mon…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
Terza guard is a rapier guard position discussed within the broader context of Renaissance fencing systems, though the provided instructional transcripts focus primarily on longsword and greatsword techniques rather than rapier-specific guards. Blood and Iron HEMA's Nicole Smith briefly references 'third guard position' (terza) as a starting point for rapier cutting combinations, specifically mentioning its use before executing thrusts and cuts in sequence during solo drills. Smith demonstrates terza as an intermediate guard from which practitioners can transition into offensive actions, though she provides minimal technical detail about the guard's mechanics or defensive properties. The transcript mentions terza in functional context—as a platform for launching cut-and-thrust combinations—but does not elaborate on hand position, blade angle, or distance considerations that would fully characterize the guard. Notably, Björn Rüther's comprehensive longsword guard taxonomy and Virtual Fechtschule's greatsword methodology make no explicit mention of terza, suggesting this guard may be more specifically associated with rapier systems than the broader longsword tradition. The scarcity of dedicated instruction on terza in these materials indicates that more specialized rapier sources would be necessary for comprehensive encyclopedia coverage of this particular guard position.
Synthesized from 1 instructor
- Blood and Iron HEMA — 10 Solo Rapier Drills in 5 minutes: References 'third guard position' (terza) as a functional starting position for rapier cut-and-thrust combinations; demonstrates its use in solo drilling against a target before executing thrusts and cuts in sequence.
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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
— Traditional martial arts — Practiced in traditional kata/...
— IWUF — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable
IWUF Competition RulesPDFHEMA — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories {src— various organizations
Training Notes
✓Terza (third) guard is the most natural rapier guard — the hand is in a neutral position (thumb up, knuckles to the side) with the blade covering the inside line at mid-height (Capo Ferro, Gran Simulacro, 1610)
✓Terza is often the default guard in Italian rapier: it provides balanced coverage of the inside line and a natural thrust position
✓From Terza, the direct thrust travels to the opponent's chest — the most natural and direct attack line
✓Terza's defensive function: it naturally parries thrusts and cuts to the inside line (the sword side of the body)
✓Capo Ferro considered Terza the primary guard: his iconic image shows the fencer in a deep lunge from Terza position
✓The neutral hand position of Terza means: transitions to Seconda (rotate palm up) and Quarta (rotate palm down) are equally quick
✓Terza provides the best combination of defence, reach, and offensive threat for general rapier combat
Common Mistakes
!Holding the hand in the wrong position — the thumb must be on top for proper Terza (neutral rotation)
!Not covering the inside line — Terza specifically defends the inside; the blade must be positioned to cover that line
!Holding Terza passively — the point must threaten the opponent's chest or face
!Not transitioning from Terza when the opponent changes their angle of attack — adapt the guard to their actions
!Using too much grip pressure — the neutral hand position requires a relaxed grip for quick transitions
!Not training Terza as the primary starting position — it is the default guard for Italian rapier
!Dropping the Terza position between actions — maintain the guard whenever not actively performing a technique
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Assume Guard (Kamae/Hut) — take the appropriate ready position with the weapon
2Measure Distance (Ma-ai) — establish correct striking distance
3Initiate Cut/Thrust — execute the technique with proper edge alignment or point control
4Follow Through (Zanshin) — maintain awareness and readiness after the technique
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] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014)
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] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014)
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I never change my guard without a reason?
Changing your guard without intention or purpose gives your opponent more options to attack openings while you're repositioning yourself. According to Björn Rüther, you should always have a clear tactical idea before shifting guards.
What attacks work well from the Terza guard?
According to Björn Rüther's instruction on guard positions, you should study what to fence from a given posture and what concepts to apply. The guard is particularly effective for executing crooked hoos (hook cuts).
How does the Terza Guard work?
Terza (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. 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.
Where does the Terza Guard come from?
Terza is described by Capoferro in Gran Simulacro (1610) as the ideal fighting posture for the rapier, and many Italian masters consider it the most versatile of the four guards. It is the direct ancestor of the modern fencing en garde position in tierce.
Is the Terza Guard legal in competition?
Traditional martial arts: legal — Practiced in traditional kata/forms and weapon-specific competition under var…; IWUF: legal — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable; HEMA: legal — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories
How dangerous is the Terza Guard?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
How do I set up the Terza Guard?
The standard setup chain: Assume Guard (Kamae/Hut) → Measure Distance (Ma-ai) → Initiate Cut/Thrust → Follow Through (Zanshin).
How do I defend against the Terza Guard?
Standard counters include: Parry (Absetzen) — deflect the incoming blade with a counter-displacement / Void (Step Back) — withdraw from measure to avoid the cutting arc / Counter-Cut (Nachreisen) — strike into the opponent's opening during their attack.
What are the variants of the Terza 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 Terza Guard in competition?
Terza is commonly used in HEMA rapier and longsword competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Terza Guard?
Top errors to watch for: Holding the hand in the wrong position — the thumb must be on top for proper Terza (neutral rotation) / Not covering the inside line — Terza specifically defends the inside; the blade must be positioned to cover that line / Holding Terza passively — the point must threaten the opponent's chest or face / Not transitioning from Terza when the opponent changes their angle of attack — adapt the guard to their actions.
What are other names for the Terza Guard?
The Terza Guard is also known as Terutsa Kamae, Terza, Third Guard, Guardia di Terza.