The Squire’s Progress is our first form, covering basic footwork, sword blows, feints, positioning and mechanics. This is a fight, with an aggressor and a defender, and should be practiced with a partner whenever possible.

Once the basic moves are learned, the student should focus on forceful, isometrically-controlled blows, while emphasizing proper body mechanics.

As partners become more fluent with the progress, blows may be thrown at any point in order to keep the aggressor engaged and not just a robotic killing machine.

STEP	AGGRESSOR	DEFENDER
1	Salute	Salute
2	En garde 1	En garde 1
3	Flat-snap (#1)	Block
4	Step into the offside (#4)	Retreat, block
5	Block the shot, step into moulinet	Flat-snap, retreat, garage door
6	Retreat (teardrop return), retreat (into en garde 1)	Advance, advance
7	Feint, advance flat-snap (#1)	Retreat, block
8	Two steps to the wrap (#30)	Wrap-block
9	Retreat, retreat (sword stays)	Advance, advance
10	Reset (big Tai Chi move to en garde 2)	Hold (optional offside)
11	Step in to #6 (goofy-footed)	Retreat, block
12	Quintain (block-blow-block)	Quintain (blow-block-blow)
13	Step in (sword goes up)	Retreat
14	Step in (sword crosses over head)	Retreat
15	Step out (horse-stance, sell the leg shot)	Block leg shot (leaving opening)
16	Slot shot	Allow aggressor to land blow
17	Onslaught begins (teardrop return to flat-snap)	Block
18	Offside (#4)	Sword-block
19	Wrap (stepping in to en garde stance)	Wrap-block
20	Belly slash	Sweeping sword-block
21	Flat-snap (#1)	Block
22	Offside (#4)	Sword-block
23	Big conversion	Block flat-snap (allowing blow to land)
24	Full retreat, retreat, retreat	Advance, advance, advance
25	Reset (en garde 2)	Should be out of range