The first class of the day is suitable for all participants, and all participants are expected to take part unless there is a pressing reason not to. This is a ‘principles’ class, in which participants will be paired with similar weapons. 

• The Duel Situation: How a one-on-one encounter differs from a random street fight.
• Technique and Tactics: What they are and how they are linked by Judgement.
• Information: What information opponent reveals before making any action, and how to exploit it.
• Opening Moves: How to gain control of the fight without excessive risk.
• Laying Traps: How to manipulate an opponent to make them predictable. 
• Staying Alive: How to deal with drunks, ignorants and incompetents.
• What now?: What happens after you land a thrust?

The second class of the day is smallsword-specific, though some concepts may transfer to other weapons. It covers an array of techniques which are routinely taught but rarely performed – not just how to do them but also how they can be used to deceive, manipulate and generally confound an opponent.

• Observing the niceties: The little details of smallsword fencing are not mere affectations. Anyone can make a killing thrust, but it is the little details that keep you alive whilst you do it.
• Attaques De Fer: The beat, the glissade and the cut-over; their use in preparation and deception.
• Prise De Fer: binds and transports; their applications in preparation and manipulation of the opponent.
• Second Intention: How to manipulate the opponent into compromising their safety.
• The Ceding Parry: Defence against attaque or prise de fer.
• Peculiar Circumstances: Dealing with certain circumstances that can arise… or be created.

The third class of the day is rapier-specific, though some concepts may transfer to other weapons. This class covers the use of specific techniques that can be used to either kill or wound an opponent in a duelling scenario and importantly, have neither of those things happens to you. 

• Using distance versus using measure: Understanding the difference between them and the appropriate applications.
• A killing strike is easy, getting killed is easier: Knowing the difference between an opportunity and a trap.
• A plan is nothing, planning is everything: Building your own traps without your opponent knowing.
• Revenge: Hitting on the riposte and the counter riposte.
• Reputation: How to deliver a strike that people will talk about for long after you’re gone.

Participants are invited to show off their skills in a series of exhibition bouts. These are presided and will take place over a ‘country minute’ of fencing time. Analysis and commentary will be provided by the presiding officials; cheers and jeers by the audience. 

The aim here is to showcase what historical fencing can be – clean, technical and elegant, and perhaps to demonstrate how well-controlled freeplay can be an excellent development tool in the class. Please note that whilst we do not expect to have to do it, these bouts will be subject to strict control. Expedient (points-grabbing) or rough fencing is grounds to terminate the bout. Note also that this is the only freeplay that will take place at DWS. Bouts outside this part of the event cannot be permitted.

Think of it like this: these bouts are what we would want to see in a news feature about what we do. Even if there are no cameras, we want to put on a good show. That means clean, elegant fencing and maybe even using some of the technique the event has covered.

Those wanting to fence one or more bouts can register during the event with the organisers. They will be matched according to weapon type – obviously – but beyond that they will have no idea who they are to be up against. Those who really, really want to fence someone in particular can register their intentions. We will try to accommodate.