How to Sword Fight and Get Good Quickly

Even though mastering the sword is not as necessary a skill in modern times, there are still many modern swordsmen who want to learn how to sword fight. In fact, sword fighting is much more than most people think. Besides experiencing how it actually feels to use a sword, it is also a fun way to stay active, build strength, and relieve stress. In this post, you will learn the basics of sword fighting, how to practice safely, and the best ways to train and learn on your own faster and properly.

Key Takeaways

• Start with a wooden or blunt practice sword to learn safely
• Wear protective gear to prevent injuries
• Focus on control and precision before speed or power

Choose Your Sword Style

Before starting your sword-fighting journey, it’s essential to choose a style. Each type of sword is designed for specific techniques, which means the methods you are going to use with a rapier won’t be the same as those suited for a katana. Basically, you have to pick between Japanese swordsmanship, Hema (Historical European Martial Arts), and modern fencing.

In Hema for example, you’ll study sources from medieval or Renaissance manuals, practicing with longswords, sabres, rapiers, and more. HEMA focuses on historical accuracy, and you’ll learn real European swordsmanship and a variety of techniques and styles for different sword types.

If you’re drawn to the Japanese approach, arts like Kendo, Iaido, or Kenjutsu emphasize both sword techniques and a strong code of etiquette, blending martial discipline with philosophy. On the other hand, if you want something sport-focused and competitive, modern fencing with foil, epee, or sabre features electronic scoring, protective gear, and lightning-fast footwork. 

Understand Sword Fighting Principles

When learning how to sword fight, the 3 core principles that matter the most are: timing, distance, and awareness. Timing is knowing the right moment to strike. Too early, you can leave yourself exposed, too late, and you miss the opening. 

Distance is about positioning. Staying close enough that your blade can reach your opponent, but not so close that they can easily counter. 

Awareness ties everything together, as you must constantly watch your opponent’s stance, movement, and intent to anticipate what comes next.

Warming Up Before Training

Like most martial arts, even in sword fighting or training, or just practicing, warming up is important if you don’t want sore muscles the next day. You can start with light movements like arm circles, shoulder rolls, and gentle stretches for your legs, hips, and back. Be sure to warm up your wrists as well since they get a lot of movement. About 10 minutes is enough.

Learn the Basics

When starting out with sword fighting, the most important thing is to master the fundamentals. For example, if you are starting with a japanese sword, learning how to use a katana and focusing on handling and motions first is a great idea.

However, the general fundamentals are the same for each sword you are going to use. Here are the first things you should start working with:

Stance

A good stance provides balance, stability, and readiness, ensuring that you can both defend and attack effectively. Begin by standing with your feet about shoulder-width apart, your dominant foot slightly forward and your knees slightly bent. 

Grip

One of the most common mistakes beginners make is holding the sword too tight. In fact your grip should be firm enough to maintain control but not so tight that your hands become stiff or tired. This principle applies to nearly every type of blade, whether you are holding a one-handed rapier or a two-handed medieval longsword.

Example (two-handed): Place your dominant hand near the guard and your other hand near the end of the handle, leaving a small gap between them. Your grip should feel like holding a firm handshake, not squeezing hard.

Example (one-handed): Wrap your fingers comfortably around the handle and keep your wrist straight. Your thumb and index finger control most of the movement, while the other fingers guide the sword. This works for most one handed swords. If the sword you are using is a rapier, you can check our other article here for tips on proper handling, as functional rapiers are used a bit differently. 

Footwork

Good footwork keeps you balanced, helps you control distance, and makes attacks and defenses quicker. With a training sword in hand, you can start practising these simple footwork steps: 

• Step Forward: Move your front foot first, then slide your back foot to follow.
  
• Step Backward: Move your back foot first, then bring the front foot back.
  
• Side Steps: Step to the side with the leading foot, then drag the other foot to reset your stance.

Basic Attacks and Blocks

The next step is to learn a few other basic moves that include: a vertical cut, a diagonal cut, a thrust, and a simple block or parry in motions. To execute a vertical cut, raise your sword above your head and bring it straight down. With a one‑handed sword this feels lighter and quicker, while with a two‑handed sword you’ll notice more weight but also more control. 

Next, the diagonal cut comes in at an angle, usually from your shoulder down toward the opposite hip, and the difference is subtle: one‑handed swords allow more wrist movement, while two‑handed swords rely on your whole body to guide the blade. 

The next technique is the thrust. Thrusting is one of the oldest and most effective sword fighting techniques. For swords such as the rapier, which are focused primarily on thrusting, learning it is absolutely fundamental. For katanas, which are focused on cutting, you do not have to use it as much. However, for many other types like longswords, arming swords, and even certain sabres, the thrust remains very important.

So how do you execute it? A thrust is a straight, controlled extension of your sword, almost like reaching forward to touch something. Step in as you extend, keep your wrist straight, and guide the point toward your target.

Finally, the block or parry is about meeting your opponent’s blade with yours. With one hand you focus on quick deflection, with two hands you use your body to absorb the strike. Practice slowly and precisely so your body learns the right movement before adding speed.

Practice with Drills

Once you know the basic moves, the next step is to train them until they feel natural. Start with slow, controlled drills that link attacks and defenses together. For example:

• Air Cutting: Perform 10–15 vertical or diagonal cuts in a row, focusing on smooth motion and correct edge alignment. Repeat 2–3 sets per session, ideally daily or every other day.
• Attack Patterns: Combine moves like two diagonal cuts followed by a thrust to build rhythm. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, focusing on smooth transitions between strikes.
• Shadow Sparring: Imagine an opponent and practice stepping and striking while keeping good guard positions. Spend 5–10 minutes per session, repeating 3–5 times per week.
• Partner Flow Drills: Work with a partner at slow speed, trading simple attacks and blocks to learn timing and distance.

The goal is not to win but to build muscle memory and flow so your body reacts naturally when it matters.

How to Do a Basic Attack

One of the first techniques you will practice in sword fighting is the downward strike. In many styles it is called the Oberhau, which means “strike from above” in German. It is a simple vertical cut aimed at the opponent’s head or shoulders.

Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Get into Your Starting Stance
Stand with your left foot forward and right foot back, weight evenly balanced. Your hips and shoulders should face your opponent, not turned sideways. Hold your sword at shoulder height — this keeps you ready to move while protecting yourself.

2. Begin the Strike
Bring the sword slightly forward as you start your cut. This closes the space between you and your opponent, which helps block any last-second attack.

3. Step and Swing Together
Take a step forward and slightly to the right as you swing your sword down in one smooth motion. This step moves you off the center line — a safer place to be if your opponent strikes back.

4. Finish in a Safe Position
When your cut is complete, your sword should protect your upper body and your head should be out of the most dangerous line of attack.

How to Defend Against a Basic Attack

Once you know how to attack, the next step is learning how to stay safe when someone strikes at you. A simple and effective defense is the Zornhau — also called the “wrath strike.” Instead of just blocking, this move stops your opponent’s attack and sets you up to strike back.

Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Read the Incoming Strike
As soon as you see your opponent starting a downward cut, prepare to move. Lean your body slightly backward and to your right to get your head off the center line. If you want, take a small step to the side — this gives you extra space and makes it harder for their strike to land.

2. Meet Their Blade
Bring your sword down in a firm, decisive motion so your blade meets theirs. Unlike an attack where you aim for their body, here your target is their sword. This contact stops their strike before it reaches you.

3. Keep Control
Stay in contact with their blade and keep steady pressure on it — this lets you control where their weapon goes next and keeps you protected.

4. Turn It Into an Attack
Rotate the tip of your sword toward your opponent’s head, throat, or chest, then thrust forward. Your defense has now turned into an immediate counterattack.

How to Sword Fight with Different Types of Swords

There are many different swords with varying lengths, weights, and shapes, each designed for specific purposes. This means the way you use them can change, so you need to focus on the aspects that matter most for each sword.

Rapier Sword Fighting

Rapiers are swords that rely on thrust attacks nearly more than any other type of sword, even though they can cut as well. Since they have a very long blade, your key advantage is using it to control distance, whether the fight is against a longsword or another rapier. From there, you have to wait for the right moment to strike, taking advantage of any opening your opponent gives. Defense and offense often happen in the same motion, so learning to parry or disengage while simultaneously threatening with the point is essential.

For example, imagine your opponent thrusts at your chest. Instead of stepping back blindly, you parry their blade to the side while moving your point toward their shoulder. As they overextend, you immediately thrust through the now-open line, landing a hit without losing your defensive position.

Longsword Fighting

When fighting with the longsword, the goal is to control the fight by finding and exploiting openings. When blades meet, you work from the bind, feeling where the opponent’s pressure is and winding to take control of the centerline. In open distance, you can use the five master cuts to break through guards and attack while defending at the same time. When the fight closes in, switch to half-swording, pommel strikes, or wrestling techniques to finish the encounter.

Samurai Sword Fighting

Different from rapiers, samurai katanas focus on cutting attacks rather than thrusts. The goal is to deliver precise, committed cuts while maintaining fluid movement. Distance and timing are still important, but the emphasis is on reading the opponent’s body and creating openings through angles and posture. Each cut often flows into the next, so defense and offense are connected in a natural rhythm.

For example, if an opponent swings toward your upper body, you might step slightly to the side and angle your blade to intercept while simultaneously preparing a follow-up cut. Small shifts in stance or grip can change whether your strike lands or misses, and controlled movements allow you to exploit openings without overcommitting.

Sabre Fighting

Sabres are swords designed for fast, aggressive attacks, focusing on quick cuts and mobility rather than long, measured thrusts. Unlike rapiers or katanas, sabre fighting relies on speed, timing, and maintaining pressure on your opponent. Strikes are often delivered diagonally or horizontally, targeting the head, arms, or torso, and defense happens in rhythm with offense.

For example, if an opponent raises to attack, you can parry their cut while stepping in to deliver a rapid diagonal strike. Movement is constant — stepping back, forward, or sideways keeps you in range while avoiding their attacks. Flowing from one action to the next ensures you maintain the initiative, and staying light on your feet allows you to react instantly to openings or threats.

How to Win a Swordfight

Beyond the fundamentals you’ve already practiced, winning a swordfight often depends on tactical choices made in the flow of combat. This means how much prepared you are. We often discuss in our sword vs sword articles that the most important thing is the skill of the person, while elements like where you are fighting, what sword you use, or whether there is armor are more secondary in most cases even though they make a difference. However, learning the right techniques, knowing how to defend, when to attack or counterattack, and having good reflexes are what you need to win a swordfight.

Try Test Cutting

To truly understand if your technique is correct, you must see its effect on a target. This is the purpose of test cutting, or tameshigiri in the Japanese arts. By cutting through a target like a soaked tatami mat, you receive immediate and honest feedback.

If your edge alignment is poor, the sword will slap or tear the target instead of slicing it cleanly. If your body mechanics are weak, you will not generate enough power to cut through.

Learning Sword Fighting on Your Own

Even though we can’t teach you how to fight with every sword type in one article, we can show you the best ways to start learning and practicing on your own. The easiest way is by watching tutorials online. YouTube and similar platforms have plenty of lessons to follow. The other great option is through books, where everything is explained step by step and you’ll often find insights and little details that nobody is going to tell you. For books, we’ve included some recommendations shared by swordsmen who were here before you.

Best Book to Learn Longsword Techniques

Based on the 14th-century work Il Fior di Battaglia by Fiore dei Liberi, an Italian knightly combat master, From Medieval Manuscript to Modern Practice by Guy Windsor is one of the best books for learning longsword fighting. Here you will learn all of Fiore’s longsword techniques on foot without armor, see each play with the original illustration, read a clear transcription and translation, and get commentary explaining how it works in practice.

Best Book to Learn Samurai Sword Techniques

There are many great samurai books, which we have listed in our article best books about samurai, however, if you want to learn how to practice and use a katana, Mastering the Samurai Sword by Cary Nemeroff is a great place to start. Here you will learn the history and philosophy behind the katana while also following step-by-step photos that show how to draw the sword, take proper guard positions, make cutting and blocking moves, and even practice rolling and evasive techniques.

Best Book to Learn Rapier Techniques

One of the best books for learning rapier sword fighting is Venetian Rapier by Nicoletto Giganti. It teaches key historical techniques, including single blade attacks, rapier and dagger combinations, and basic fencing principles, all with clear illustrations. 

Best Book to Learn Sabre Techniques

Cold Steel by Alfred Hutton is one of the most interesting manuals if you want to learn real sabre fighting. It goes straight into the grip, guards, and basic cuts from the very first chapter. Here you will learn how to fight, not play a sport, making it perfect for those who want to understand how the sabre was truly used. It also includes sections on the great stick, the constable’s truncheon, the short sword-bayonet, and even how to fight sabre against bayonet. If you want a clear and practical guide to real sabre use, this is the book to get.

Last Words

Learning to sword fight gives you a glimpse into what combat might have been like for warriors of the past. It’s also an enjoyable way to stay active, build strength, and reduce stress. The best way to learn is by joining a martial arts school or dojo, where you can train with others and progress faster through guided practice. If that’s not an option, you can still pick up skills on your own by following online tutorials or studying practical books.

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