Rob Childs Rapier Vid 32 - My Footwork

Footwork is a foundational pillar of fence. Over the decades I have received a great many questions about the how and why of the way I move. In this video I cover some of the techniques and reasons of my footwork that not only will give you an insight as to how I use it for balance, but also in how I use it to deceive my opponents in those critical moments when they mistakenly believe they are safe.
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[@AttaraxHistoricalFencing]

Mr. Childs, thank you for another fascinating video. I appreciated seeing how you can maintain balance while reaching far by not having your rear foot flat on the ground. I was just considering the contradictions in Liancourt, who advocated for a flat rear foot when lunging, versus La Touche, who shows fencers lunging far while rolling their rear foot. It would seem you have demonstrated a way to have the reach of La Touche with the stability of Liancourt.

[@RobertChildsRapier]

As you touched on, balance is the key.

[@samuelszymanski3651]

Hi Robert! Thanks for this video, it's interesting learning more about your movement. The idea of balance being on par with footwork and swordwork seems very valuable, I want to try to improve my balance now.
I have a few questions if you don't mind:
1: In a lunge with a turned ball of the foot, are you concerned about the bend of your knee being great enough to potentially cause injury?
2: Have you found recovery from the lunge to be faster in some fencers if the back heel remains on the ground?
3: Would you say that if you're in measure and don't have control of your opponent's sword, advancing or retreating movements are also dangerous in addition to lateral movements?
Thank you

[@RobertChildsRapier]

1. Your question is a good one because proper mechanics with the body is important if we are to make it to a ripe old age as swordsmen. With the turn on the ball of the foot, my whole leg rotates as well, going from the knee facing toward the floor to facing toward my left as the entire leg rotates. As such, there is no abnormal torque or bending of the knee or leg.
2. I have not found the speed of the recovery to be determined by whether the back foot is flat to the ground. In my method of fencing, the recovery is powered by the front leg. Balance and the power of the front leg are key to a speedy recovery, not the placement of the back foot.
3. Advancing on your opponent when you do not have control of the sword is certainly fraught with risk. Retreating is less so because you are increasing the distance between you and your opponent, which increases the amount of time it takes your opponent to strike. While it is not proof against being struck, more time to see an attack coming is certainly an advantage.

[@Krondalf]

I was lucky enough to watch you compete last weekend at SoCal Swordfight 2022. Your patience and focus were very impressive. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@RobertChildsRapier]

@@Krondalf Always happy to help where I can. :)

[@ReliableNow]

This was very enjoyable, thank you

[@RobertChildsRapier]

Quite welcome.