La Verdadera Destreza is a Iberia fencing system first founded in the late 16th century by Master Carranza. Over the following centuries, it was passed down through generations of masters, incorporating mathematics and geometry into its methodology. It is a fencing tradition that deconstructs and rebuilds swordplay through the lens of science.

This time, we are honored to invite Rizal Utama, an instructor from Academia da Espada Indonesia, who will present rapier techniques based on the teachings of 18th-century Spanish fencing master Francisco Lórenz de Rada. His workshop will address three common misconceptions about the system as a starting point for deeper understanding.

Myth 1: Destreza is complicated

Refutation: like in any fencing system, there are depths.  Destreza uses principles of geometry, anatomical structures and body mechanics to explain why some movements and positions are better than others for defence. Once you understand them, the applications are often simple, because it’s science. Not magic. 

Myth 2: Diestros only fight upright

Refutation: staying upright doesn’t automatically mean you’re doing dedestreza. It has advantages and disadvantages,  but it is a not a position be held rigidly. In reality, a fight is chaotic and we do what we must to defend ourselves.

Myth 3: Destreza forbids lunges

Refutation: lunges were not explicitly forbidden. They were simply not described in destreza canon until the very late period (Rada). What we avoid are extreme postions that are difficult to recover from.