Historical European Martial Arts
Try historical fencing today.
At Swordplay LA, historical study, athletic training, and disciplined technique forge students into skilled practitioners of historical European martial arts.
Our Curriculum
Swordplay LA’s HEMA program offers in-depth training in historical European swordsmanship, including Italian rapier from Fabris, Dutch rapier from Thibault, Fiore’s Italian longsword, Meyer’s German longsword, and German messer. Students study technique, sparring, grappling, and tournament rules while learning to apply historical principles in a modern context. Our coaches also train in other martial arts and integrate that experience into the curriculum to develop well-rounded and adaptable practitioners. As the only HEMA club in Los Angeles with a dedicated building and a specialized floor, we provide a unique space where students can safely train advanced techniques like grappling and takedowns.
Progression within the program is guided by Swordplay LA’s Level-Up Blade System, a structured pathway that allows students to track their development as they build technical skill, tactical understanding, and historical knowledge. As students advance through each level, they are introduced to more complex curriculum including but not limited to tactical applications, opponent analysis and competitive preparation—creating a clear progression from beginner to advanced.
About HEMA
Historical European Martial Arts is historical swordsmanship of European origin, extending to but not limited to Italian, Spanish, French, and German origin. Our HEMA program is beginner friendly and for individuals who are looking to learn the art of European swordsmanship and get in fighting shape. Our HEMA program is for the sword enthusiast, athletes or martial artists. It is also extended to our students in our fencing and stunt program looking to enrich or diversify their training.
Book your class.
Walk ins are allowed but we do recommend that you register online to reserve your spot as spots are limited!
Meet Your Coaches
Taylor White
CoachTaylor’s HEMA saga began when he first took up the longsword in 2012 at Blackfriar’s School of Fence. He champions primarily the Italian tradition of Fiore dei Liberi primarily, while incorporating valuable teachings from the German lineage.
His focus is to serve as a faithful interpreter of the teachings of the historical masters, seeking interpretations that are both clear to understand and formidable in practical use. He emphasizes developing each student’s unique fighting style through creative drills and dynamic combat scenarios that bring historical technique to life.
Sean has been teaching Historical European Martial Arts since 2018, beginning at the Academy of Arms, where they attained the rank of Assistant Instructor, Scholar Prep with a focus on Liechtenauer longsword, messer, and dagger. They are a co-founder of the Los Angeles Historical European Martial Arts Society and the Lost Angels historic combat group, a member of the Order of the Broken Hand, and have studied at Einhorn, The Academy of European Fighting Arts, and the Tattershall School of Defense.
Sean also contributes to the preservation and advancement of historical martial arts through writing and editorial work. They are an author for the HEMA Alliance’s How to HEMA series and have edited The Art of Arms Substack, Fechtbuch Fabian, Hans Medel’s Fencing, and From Medieval Manuscript to Modern Practice: The Dagger Techniques of Fiore dei Liberi.
Program Director & CoachSean Ellis
Dan has studied fencing and combat systems for more than two decades. Drawing on formal training in modern fencing and U.S. Army Combatives, adapted from jiu jitsu, he brings both discipline and practical insight to the study of historical European martial traditions. His work spans a wide range of weapons, including rapier, messer, smallsword, sword and buckler, and sword and cloak.
Through lived experience, Dan brings historic combat systems to modern life with technical precision and practical understanding.
CoachDaniel Hinkley
Assistant CoachCoco Atama
FAQs
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All sparring done with synthetic weapons require that students wear hockey gloves, fencing masks, chest protector, fencing jacket, elbow pads and knee pads. Students must also wear pants.
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If students have the equipment to spar with steel and have previous experience they may spar with steel. Students who do not have the proper safety gear may not spar with steel weapons.
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Yes! We host monthly in-house tournaments for students to put their skills to the test and par in a tournament setting.