Rapier & Dagger: Skill Building
Join us for a focused, hands-on continuing education class exploring the fundamentals, tactics, and practical execution of dagger plays in the context of historical fencing. Led by Maestro Francesco Loda, this 90-minute session dives into the universal principles that support effective use of the dagger in conjunction with the rapier, offering valuable insights for fencers of any tradition or background.
Whether you’re refining your skills or expanding your tactical understanding, this class will sharpen your approach to fencing with two weapons.
Date: Friday, November 2, 2025
Location: Newman’s Castle
Time: TBD (classes will begin at 1:00 PM)
Duration: 90 minutes
Head Instructor: Maestro Francesco Loda
**Please note: this ticket is for a seat in this workshop only. Participants are still required to purchase admission to the tournament. A fencing/student pass can be found here.
Become a Judge: Master the International Technical Rules System
Join us for a focused training session led by Maestro Francesco Lodà, where you’ll develop the knowledge and tools necessary to uphold excellence in competition. Through tactical analysis, scoring review, and deep dives into the International Technical Rules System, you’ll gain insight into what separates victory from defeat—and how to make those calls with confidence.
Quality judging is essential for the safety, credibility, and evolution of HEMA. At TOD, we believe our judges deserve to be supported—this year, certified judges will receive a small stipend for each round judged, along with discounted admission when they meet specified criteria of rounds judged at the tournament.
What You’ll Learn:
Understanding the International Technical Rules System – Grasp the core principles that reward skillful fencing over chaotic exchanges.
Tactical Decision-Making – Learn how to identify and prevent common pitfalls like double hits before penalties occur.
Judging Fundamentals – Study scoring benchmarks, penalties, and the structure behind fair and efficient tournament operations.
Level I Certification – Participants will work towards level I certification through the weekend.
Head Instructor: Maestro Francesco Lodà
Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Location: Newman’s Castle
Time: TBD (Classes will begin at 1:00 PM)
Duration: 90 minutes
**Level 1 certified judges will receive a refund of $50 from their event admission fee plus a stipend once they meet a minimum of 30 rounds judged. Interested in becoming a judge? Check out the training seminar!
**In progress prospective judges will receive the same refund on admission fees.
**Please note: this ticket is for a seat in this workshop only. Participants are still required to purchase admission to the tournament. A fencing/student pass can be found here.
This class explores the unique challenges of fighting with a lantern in hand—something that’s rarely practiced but has deep historical roots. You’ll look at how to manage a bout when one person has a light source and the other doesn’t, how to adapt your fencing depending on lighting conditions (like moonlight vs. full dark), and how to keep your tactics grounded when visibility drops.
We’ll go over practical mechanics for using a lantern both defensively and offensively, as well as how to avoid letting it become a liability. You’ll get hands-on time to test movement, targeting, and awareness when vision is limited.
This class is required if you want to take part in the free evening Rapier & Lantern team melee later that night.
Required Equipment: Full rapier gear and a lantern
Head Instructor: Tim Guerinot
Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Location: Newman’s Castle
Time: TBD (Classes will begin at 1:00 PM)
Duration: 90 minutes
**Please note: this ticket is for a seat in this workshop only. Participants are still required to purchase admission to the tournament. A fencing/student pass can be found here.
Rapier & Lantern: Night Fighting Fundamentals
Rapier Close Play in the XVIIth Century: Context, Creativity, and Control
Rapier close play in the 17th century is far more than a clash of blades—it’s a rich blend of traditional cut & thrust techniques, levers, locks, disarms, immobilizations, throws, takedowns, strikes, and even pommel use. This workshop explores not only the dynamic physical tools of close play, but also the cultural and historical conditions that influenced its development—particularly within the unique context of the State of the Church.
Join Silvia Tomasetti for an immersive workshop that brings history to life through movement, theory, and application. This is an opportunity to discover how creativity, necessity, and historical context collide in the fencing systems of early modern Italy.
Required Equipment: Light rapier gear
Head Instructor: Silvia Tomasetti
Location: Newman’s Castle
Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Time: TBD (Classes will begin at 1:00 PM)
Duration: 90 minutes
**Please note: this ticket is for a seat in this workshop only. Participants are still required to purchase admission to the tournament. A fencing/student pass can be found here.