Sword play, based upon the French school of the foil

This practical guide introduces the classical French school of foil fencing, emphasizing the principles that give the art structure and direction. It begins with the essentials: the position of guard, advance and retreat, the thrust, the lunge, proper handling of the sword, and the positions of the sword hand. Clear instruction is aimed at building a sound foundation rather than encouraging improvised or inconsistent habits.

From there, the book explores distance, engagement, attacks, parries, feints, disengages, cut-overs, counter-attacks, and attacks on the opposing blade. It also explains how these techniques apply in actual bouts, with exercises for individual practice, guidance for class instruction, and discussion of rules and conventions useful to competitors, coaches, and officials. Later sections broaden the study to the duelling sword and saber, making this a compact handbook for fencers who want to understand not only how to perform movements, but why they work.