BASSC Smallsword 11th - 15th May

Don't let the title of 'small' fool you. The Small Sword of the eighteenth century is arguably the deadliest sword to appear in Europe and was to dominate the scene of personal defence until the evolution of the gun.

Who Is This Course For?

Those students with prior stage combat sword training.  — possibly the most demanding of the sword systems.

This course is ideal for:

• Performers excited to discover the elegance and precision of Smallsword
• Actors refreshing or expanding their stage combat training
• Performers looking to add a recognised BASSC Smallsword qualification to their professional toolkit
• Anyone keen to learn a refined, dynamic weapon system, boost coordination, meet brilliant people, and have a lot of fun

If that sounds like you—this course is for you.

What Will I Achieve?

By the end of the course, you’ll be confidently applying the core principles of safe, dynamic theatrical weapon work, with a strong technical grounding in BASSC Smallsword. You’ll learn how to:

• Understand and perform Smallsword choreography—timing, blade relationships, angulated parries, online footwork, and tempo.
• Spot rhythm, land beats, and read fights with clarity and precision
• Recognise good and poor practice that affect your safety or performance and the unique safety challenges of Smallsword.
• Perform a full choreographed Smallsword fight for assessment
• Integrate text, character, and storytelling into a Smallsword scene
• Work effectively with partners and adapt quickly in technical choreography
• Improve timing, coordination, physical awareness, and control
• Boost confidence
• Enhance your employability and earning potential

You leave faster and classier ;)

Anything To Do Outside Class?

Only learning your scene lines.
We’ll also set aside time in class to direct scenes and get them performance ready.

Do I Need to Bring Anything?

• Comfortable movement clothes
• A spare top (it will get sweaty, but all fitness levels are welcome)
• A reusable water bottle
• Something to take notes with
• Gloves suitable for weapon work (full-finger leather or gardening gloves—nothing slippery or bulky)

If you don’t have gloves, we have spares.

Is There an Assessment?

Yes—an exciting one!
On the final day, you’ll perform a staged Smallsword fight scene in a full exam-showcase assessed by an external BASSC examiner.

The exam is open to the public, so—with the teacher’s approval—you may invite friends, family, agents, or anyone you’d like to impress. You can also watch future exams as we have a lovely supportive community.

Industry Relevance

BASSC qualifications are recognised by Equity and taught at leading UK drama schools, including:

• RADA
• Royal Central School of Speech & Drama
• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
• Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
• Drama Studio London
  …as well as many other institutions across the UK and worldwide.

Smallsword is a classical stage combat weapon widely taught due to its precision, clarity, and narrative versatility. Training in Smallsword equips actors to work confidently with fight directors and stunt coordinators across theatre, film, TV, historical projects, and motion capture.

What Can I Do Next?

You’ve laid a solid foundation—now keep levelling up with further BASSC training, whether as standalone courses or on the pathway to Intermediate or Advanced Actor Combatant status.

Weapon Options

• Rapier & Dagger
• Knife
• Swashbuckling
• Sword & Shield
• Broadsword
• Quarterstaff
• Rapier & Cloak
• ID Fight Stunt Foundations

Unarmed Progression

• BASSC Unarmed
• BASSC Film Fighting Foundation: Unarmed
• ID Fight Stunt Foundations

Supportive Skills

• Combat Lab
• Falling
• Reactions
  …and more!