Justin Aucoin — Historical Swordplay
@thetavernknight.bsky.social
⚔ Historical Fencing Coach, Instructor at Arms
Founder of Boston Academie d’Armes @bosacademiearme.bsky.social
Rapier | Saber | Smallsword | Italian Foil
1:1 Training & Group Classes
www.JustinSwordFit.com
www.BostonAcademieDArmes.com
(He/Him)
Founder of Boston Academie d’Armes @bosacademiearme.bsky.social
Rapier | Saber | Smallsword | Italian Foil
1:1 Training & Group Classes
www.JustinSwordFit.com
www.BostonAcademieDArmes.com
(He/Him)
Little exploration of countering the low guard from a Fabrisian stance. Point at the wrist and harass it.
In hindsight, I’d like Anezka to do the direct thrusts to wrist much more profiled. We’ll clean that up next time.
🧵
#bostonfencing #swordfighting #medfordma #historicalfencing #italianrapier
In hindsight, I’d like Anezka to do the direct thrusts to wrist much more profiled. We’ll clean that up next time.
🧵
#bostonfencing #swordfighting #medfordma #historicalfencing #italianrapier
December 19, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Little exploration of countering the low guard from a Fabrisian stance. Point at the wrist and harass it.
In hindsight, I’d like Anezka to do the direct thrusts to wrist much more profiled. We’ll clean that up next time.
🧵
#bostonfencing #swordfighting #medfordma #historicalfencing #italianrapier
In hindsight, I’d like Anezka to do the direct thrusts to wrist much more profiled. We’ll clean that up next time.
🧵
#bostonfencing #swordfighting #medfordma #historicalfencing #italianrapier
Mixing things up a little with a cool offline step to aid in counter-parrying or renewing on the outside line.
🧵
#rapier #bostonfencing #cambridgema #historicalfencing
🧵
#rapier #bostonfencing #cambridgema #historicalfencing
December 17, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Mixing things up a little with a cool offline step to aid in counter-parrying or renewing on the outside line.
🧵
#rapier #bostonfencing #cambridgema #historicalfencing
🧵
#rapier #bostonfencing #cambridgema #historicalfencing
The floor was slick since they resealed it, so we kept footwork/explosiveness chiller.
Little more actions on the blade work (envelopment) with either a glide to the high line or a flanconade to the low line.
🧵
#bostonfencing #smallsword #historicalfencing #classicalfencing #duelingsword
Little more actions on the blade work (envelopment) with either a glide to the high line or a flanconade to the low line.
🧵
#bostonfencing #smallsword #historicalfencing #classicalfencing #duelingsword
December 15, 2025 at 6:36 PM
The floor was slick since they resealed it, so we kept footwork/explosiveness chiller.
Little more actions on the blade work (envelopment) with either a glide to the high line or a flanconade to the low line.
🧵
#bostonfencing #smallsword #historicalfencing #classicalfencing #duelingsword
Little more actions on the blade work (envelopment) with either a glide to the high line or a flanconade to the low line.
🧵
#bostonfencing #smallsword #historicalfencing #classicalfencing #duelingsword
🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷
December 11, 2025 at 11:06 PM
🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷
Anezka and I have been starting and finishing our lessons together with a little coach sparring.
Doing it after a quick warmup gives us some data on things we want to clean up or cover in the lesson. Doing it at the end lets us see how the lesson impacted performance.
🧵
Doing it after a quick warmup gives us some data on things we want to clean up or cover in the lesson. Doing it at the end lets us see how the lesson impacted performance.
🧵
December 10, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Anezka and I have been starting and finishing our lessons together with a little coach sparring.
Doing it after a quick warmup gives us some data on things we want to clean up or cover in the lesson. Doing it at the end lets us see how the lesson impacted performance.
🧵
Doing it after a quick warmup gives us some data on things we want to clean up or cover in the lesson. Doing it at the end lets us see how the lesson impacted performance.
🧵
Little unscripted parry-riposte volley from recent training with Eli.
I’m big on getting folks comfortable with attacks failing and transitioning from offense to defense.
So I’ll throw in parries and ripostes to keep the fencer on their toes and be able to flow with the changing environment.
I’m big on getting folks comfortable with attacks failing and transitioning from offense to defense.
So I’ll throw in parries and ripostes to keep the fencer on their toes and be able to flow with the changing environment.
December 8, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Little unscripted parry-riposte volley from recent training with Eli.
I’m big on getting folks comfortable with attacks failing and transitioning from offense to defense.
So I’ll throw in parries and ripostes to keep the fencer on their toes and be able to flow with the changing environment.
I’m big on getting folks comfortable with attacks failing and transitioning from offense to defense.
So I’ll throw in parries and ripostes to keep the fencer on their toes and be able to flow with the changing environment.
Shoot your shot
December 7, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Shoot your shot
🇫🇷 🇫🇷 🇫🇷
December 6, 2025 at 3:18 PM
🇫🇷 🇫🇷 🇫🇷
This was several weeks ago when it didn’t hurt it be outdoors in New England.
Fun little sequence; mixing a few blade actions here to get more practice in.
🧵
Fun little sequence; mixing a few blade actions here to get more practice in.
🧵
December 5, 2025 at 6:26 PM
This was several weeks ago when it didn’t hurt it be outdoors in New England.
Fun little sequence; mixing a few blade actions here to get more practice in.
🧵
Fun little sequence; mixing a few blade actions here to get more practice in.
🧵
🐕 ❄️
December 4, 2025 at 5:45 PM
🐕 ❄️
So I wanted to explore it’s use in fencing from the 17th centuries onward. I also wanted to see how the action could fit in modern historical fencing and classical fencing lessons.
December 3, 2025 at 6:05 PM
So I wanted to explore it’s use in fencing from the 17th centuries onward. I also wanted to see how the action could fit in modern historical fencing and classical fencing lessons.
I bounced around a few ideas, but settled on 'yielding glides' as they’re an action I enjoy but don’t really exist in modern or classical fencing.
December 3, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I bounced around a few ideas, but settled on 'yielding glides' as they’re an action I enjoy but don’t really exist in modern or classical fencing.
This past summer I took the online Fencing Pedagogy & History class, as part of the Sonoma State University Fencing Masters Certificate Program (SSU FMCP).
justinswordfit.com/2025/12/01/h...
🧵
#historicalfencer #rapier #historyresearch
justinswordfit.com/2025/12/01/h...
🧵
#historicalfencer #rapier #historyresearch
December 3, 2025 at 6:05 PM
This past summer I took the online Fencing Pedagogy & History class, as part of the Sonoma State University Fencing Masters Certificate Program (SSU FMCP).
justinswordfit.com/2025/12/01/h...
🧵
#historicalfencer #rapier #historyresearch
justinswordfit.com/2025/12/01/h...
🧵
#historicalfencer #rapier #historyresearch
But we did get some pretty awesome photos out of the experience. I don't think the horses cared about that bit, though. 🤣
📷 Opal
📷 Opal
December 1, 2025 at 5:29 PM
But we did get some pretty awesome photos out of the experience. I don't think the horses cared about that bit, though. 🤣
📷 Opal
📷 Opal
Rossfechten practice last week was shortened by a surprise snow squall and winds that blew everything horizontal. The horses eventually told us to sod off, so we packed it in early.
🧵
#rossfechten #mysca #historicalfencing
🧵
#rossfechten #mysca #historicalfencing
December 1, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Rossfechten practice last week was shortened by a surprise snow squall and winds that blew everything horizontal. The horses eventually told us to sod off, so we packed it in early.
🧵
#rossfechten #mysca #historicalfencing
🧵
#rossfechten #mysca #historicalfencing
Working on flash cards.
So many many flash cards…
So many many flash cards…
November 29, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Working on flash cards.
So many many flash cards…
So many many flash cards…
A short but fun ride and rossfechtan practice today.
Got to ride Medallion today.
Also took a selfie with the new boy, Sereno.
Got to ride Medallion today.
Also took a selfie with the new boy, Sereno.
November 29, 2025 at 1:26 AM
A short but fun ride and rossfechtan practice today.
Got to ride Medallion today.
Also took a selfie with the new boy, Sereno.
Got to ride Medallion today.
Also took a selfie with the new boy, Sereno.
Happy Thanksgiving to my found fencer family. It’s been a fun year of fencing, learning and coaching.
Thankful to all the folks who continue to entrust their fencing education and training with me. Much love to you all.
⚔️⚜️⚜️⚔️
Thankful to all the folks who continue to entrust their fencing education and training with me. Much love to you all.
⚔️⚜️⚜️⚔️
November 27, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to my found fencer family. It’s been a fun year of fencing, learning and coaching.
Thankful to all the folks who continue to entrust their fencing education and training with me. Much love to you all.
⚔️⚜️⚜️⚔️
Thankful to all the folks who continue to entrust their fencing education and training with me. Much love to you all.
⚔️⚜️⚜️⚔️
🦃🦃🦃
November 27, 2025 at 2:25 PM
🦃🦃🦃
Te was moving so fast coming out of the corners I had to ask folks if we were still trotting or if he went into a canter (which he isn’t allowed to do).
A good lesson. Had a lot of fun. Things are clicking. I also didn't freeze but I do need warmer socks.
A good lesson. Had a lot of fun. Things are clicking. I also didn't freeze but I do need warmer socks.
November 25, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Te was moving so fast coming out of the corners I had to ask folks if we were still trotting or if he went into a canter (which he isn’t allowed to do).
A good lesson. Had a lot of fun. Things are clicking. I also didn't freeze but I do need warmer socks.
A good lesson. Had a lot of fun. Things are clicking. I also didn't freeze but I do need warmer socks.
Took 2hrs to get to the stables tonight, but I did eventually make it...
Got to trot in Te for the first time!
Man… he can move for an old man. I had trouble getting him to slow down which was a new and fun experience. I’m used to Cody who doesn’t want to move for me. 🤣🤣
Got to trot in Te for the first time!
Man… he can move for an old man. I had trouble getting him to slow down which was a new and fun experience. I’m used to Cody who doesn’t want to move for me. 🤣🤣
November 25, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Took 2hrs to get to the stables tonight, but I did eventually make it...
Got to trot in Te for the first time!
Man… he can move for an old man. I had trouble getting him to slow down which was a new and fun experience. I’m used to Cody who doesn’t want to move for me. 🤣🤣
Got to trot in Te for the first time!
Man… he can move for an old man. I had trouble getting him to slow down which was a new and fun experience. I’m used to Cody who doesn’t want to move for me. 🤣🤣
I do appreciate the certain level of insanity one must have to do equestrian combat of any form. Yes, let's fence each other with weapons but also do it on a creature that could turn you into pulp if it so inclined. 🤣
November 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
I do appreciate the certain level of insanity one must have to do equestrian combat of any form. Yes, let's fence each other with weapons but also do it on a creature that could turn you into pulp if it so inclined. 🤣
Still riding that Rossfechtan train... errr... horse. Anyways, this past week we busted out the spears for the first time. If you think spears are fun, in general, try it on a horse! 😆
November 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Still riding that Rossfechtan train... errr... horse. Anyways, this past week we busted out the spears for the first time. If you think spears are fun, in general, try it on a horse! 😆
Second half of this drill with Anezka. Same setup and actions, just with mobility thrown in to up the spice.
She’s looking to get me with a disengagement in time. Or, if I land the parry, transition to defense with her own counter-parry & riposte.
Real solid work by Anezka here.
She’s looking to get me with a disengagement in time. Or, if I land the parry, transition to defense with her own counter-parry & riposte.
Real solid work by Anezka here.
November 19, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Second half of this drill with Anezka. Same setup and actions, just with mobility thrown in to up the spice.
She’s looking to get me with a disengagement in time. Or, if I land the parry, transition to defense with her own counter-parry & riposte.
Real solid work by Anezka here.
She’s looking to get me with a disengagement in time. Or, if I land the parry, transition to defense with her own counter-parry & riposte.
Real solid work by Anezka here.
Me *scrambling*: WHERE'S MY SWORD?
Steve: 😏😏
Steve: 😏😏
November 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Me *scrambling*: WHERE'S MY SWORD?
Steve: 😏😏
Steve: 😏😏