Art of the Sword

"Although an extensive lunge is doubtless advantageous to those who can make it easily, yet it will not be found on a real occasion so necessary as a quick recover. For which reason it will be imprudent in gentlemen to accustom themselves to step farther out than their strength or activity naturally admit. Care must always be taken to place the right foot flat on the ground, and not to make so violent an extension, as to pitch on the heel of that foot.* The proper extent is to bring the left knee straight, and the right knee perpendicular to the instep. * It should be considered that in real contest the difference of the ground, and many other circumstances, concur to render any unnecessary extension hazardous ; especially to such persons as have used themselves to practise on an even floor, perhaps with slippers chalked at the bottom."

"One of the great benefits of non-standardization of rulesets is that it keeps us training "the art" as the central study rather than constantly working towards gaming a particular tournament ruleset." - Toby Hall, Fechtschule New York 2016 Open Longsword Tournament Rules

"I would not however venture to recommend the practice with a friend for the sake of improvement with naked swords; since although not attended with danger in the cavalry exercise, yet as the situation of persons engaged on foot does not confine them to one or two particular cuts at commencing the attack, but admits of more various and complicated movements, an error in regard to  the parades might prove fatal."  - Art of Defence on Foot, John Taylor 1800