Overview

Spend a focused weekend with two top instructors. Friday evening is a social training night with James Reilly. Saturday features a four-hour workshop with Robert Rutherfoord connecting Joachim Meyer to Italian theory. Sunday is a deep dive with James on building a complete fencing game.

Capacity: Limited to 20 participants.

Location

Sacramento Historical Fencing Academy
3463 Ramona Ave Ste 20, Sacramento, CA

Parking: Parking on site.

Food: Options available nearby.

Lodging: Comfort Inn (nearest)

Friday: An Evening with James

Informal training night with Q&A and fencing. Expect relaxed rounds, targeted coaching on specific problems, and space for theory discussion. A great warm-up for the weekend.

Included with the full weekend pass. Also available separately for $25.

Saturday with Robert Rutherfoord

Meyer through Italian Eyes: lo punto, tempo, engagement

• Relate Indes, Binden, Fühlen to Italian line control and timing.
• Use lo punto to dominate space and intent in a cut-centric system.
• Compare Vor, Nach, Indes with Italian tempo to find windows for action.
• Treat engagement as tactile dialogue; map to stringere and contratempo.
• Drills emphasize control, sensitivity, and initiative through contact.

$75 single-day or included with weekend pass.

Sunday with James Reilly

Building a Complete Fencing Game

• Read opponents; condition choices; avoid strengths; exploit weaknesses.
• Define a complete game; assess gaps with a simple framework.
• Replace guesswork with principled response categories.
• Refine and expand bout sense with detail and experience.
• Leave with targeted practice directions that convert theory to execution.

$75 single-day or included with weekend pass.

Pricing

• Full weekend pass: $150
  SHFA members: $75 with discount code provided via Discord.
• Friday Evening with James: $25 if purchased separately. Included with weekend pass.
• Single workshop day: $75 (Saturday or Sunday).

Member pricing requires code at checkout. Limited to 20 attendees total.

Required Gear

• Mask
• Gloves
• Fencing jacket
• Steel swords appropriate to session work

No loaner gear available. Please arrive ready to participate.

Policies

• Refunds: No refunds; tickets are transferable.
• Filming: Workshops will be recorded; participants receive access after the event.
• Safety: Gear check at the start of each day; staff may limit unsafe equipment or conduct.

Instructor Bio: James Reilly

James is a student of the KdF tradition and principal instructor at Goliath Historical Fencing Academy. His coaching focuses on targeted, student-by-student skill development grounded in a strong theoretical framework. He cultivates knowledge and technical execution that build confidence. His goal is that each student leaves with a new, reliable capability.

Instructor Bio: Robert Rutherfoord

Robert began with medieval reconstruction groups, then in 2006 formed a HEMA study group on George Silver’s backsword. In 2009 he joined the Chicago Swordplay Guild for Italian rapier. He has since explored Italian arts of the 16th and 17th centuries and Meyer’s German tradition. Interest in Meyer led him to the Bolognese sidesword, linking Silver’s method to Italian rapier. He has taught widely, including with Roger Norling at WMAW, the MFFG Symposium, and the Hallebardiers’ Seminar in Bruges; he has presented Bolognese material in the US and abroad.