The Jianfa Blueprint
FROM COMPLETE BEGINNER TO PRACTICAL CHINESE SWORDSMANSHIP in 90 Days
Follow a step-by-step path into historically grounded Chinese swordsmanship, from your first stance and cut to the foundations of real swordplay against an opponent.
No previous sword experience or local teacher required.
Taught from a living Chinese swordsmanship tradition.
Proven curriculum from solo training to full-contact swordplay.
What the Blueprint Changes for You
From your first lesson, you know what to practise, why you’re practising it and what comes next. No hunting through disconnected videos or trying to build your own curriculum.
Each lesson develops the skills you need for the next, taking you from solo fundamentals into increasingly interactive sword training.
And you’re not doing it alone. You can ask questions, get feedback from instructors, and train alongside a community of people following the same path.
Instead of wondering how to begin, you have a clear way forward.
THE HISTORY ISN’T DECORATION.
IT’S PART OF THE METHOD.
Chinese swordsmanship has a deep martial history, and the Blueprint is taught from a living tradition rather than assembled from isolated techniques or modern guesswork.
Taught by Scott M. Rodell, drawing on direct transmission, decades of practical sword training, historical research, and a constant emphasis on what actually works against another person.
That means the history is not there for atmosphere. It informs the mechanics, tactics and training method.
If you are coming from HEMA, traditional Chinese martial arts or a serious interest in historical weapons,
you are not just learning how a jian moves. You are learning why it was used that way.
Your Step-By-Step 90-Day Roadmap,
Phase by Phase
Phase 1 – Build the Foundation (Days 1–30)
Grip, stance, structure, and body mechanics done properly
A simple but complete cutting sequence
The core strategy that sits underneath all Chinese swordsmanship
Phase 2 – Build the Skills for Swordplay (Days 31–60)
The fundamental cuts that become the building blocks of swordplay
Solo drills, footwork, and short formations for fluid combinations
Develop the coordination, accuracy, timing and control that partner training demands
Phase 3 – Start Training for an Opponent (Days 61–90)
Move safely from solo work to partner drills
Build the nerve to stand in front of a full-power attack
Apply your technique in live, controlled sparring
After 90 Days: Keep Building
By the end of the Blueprint, you will have built the foundations of practical Jianfa and a clear understanding of how your solo training connects to real swordplay.
Your membership keeps you progressing with ongoing lessons, monthly live webinars, feedback and a community of people training the same material.
And when you are ready to go further, the Jianfa Study Path takes you deeper into technique, tactics and freeplay.
TRAIN CHINESE SWORDSMANSHIP WITH A WORLDWIDE COMMUNITY
JOIN 100's OF PRACTITIONERS AND TEACHERS AROUND THE WORLD.
YOU’RE NOT TRAINING ALONE
The Jianfa Blueprint includes access to the Jianfa Lab, a private training space where you can post questions, share training videos and get feedback from Scott M. Rodell and senior practitioners.
You also get a monthly live webinar where you can ask questions in real time, demonstrate what you’re working on and receive corrections.
So while you may be training at home, you’re not trying to teach yourself.
You have a curriculum, a teacher, ongoing feedback and a community of practitioners working through the same material.
Post training videos for critique in the Jianfa Lab.
Ask Scott M. Rodell and senior practitioners questions as you train.
Join the monthly live webinar for real-time instruction and correction.
TESTIMONIALS
REAL STUDENTS. REAL PROGRESS.
From complete beginners to experienced martial artists and instructors, here’s what students say changed when they started following a structured path into Jianfa.
"Without the Academy, I’d still be mindlessly swinging my Jian. Now, I have structure, proper technique, and the confidence to spar."
- BOB S
"After years of learning forms, I finally understand how to use these weapons for their intended purpose."
- NICOLA B
"This system has streamlined everything we do at our school. The shared blueprint across Academy groups keeps training focused and effective."
- DAVID M
"It’s having expert teaching in your home on demand. The study paths give students like me a structure to build on."
- TOM D.
Here’s Everything You Get
All for $7/Month After Your Free Trial
This isn’t just a course. It’s a complete training system for learning Chinese swordsmanship.
The complete 90-day Jianfa Blueprint
A step-by-step beginner curriculum taking you from solo fundamentals toward practical swordplay.
Follow-at-home video lessons
Train at your own pace, revisit lessons whenever you need, and always know what comes next.
Access to the Jianfa Lab
Post questions and training videos for critique from Scott M. Rodell and senior practitioners.
Monthly live training webinar
Ask questions in real time, demonstrate what you’re working on, and receive live corrections.
Keep progressing after the first 90 days
Continue developing your Jianfa instead of reaching the end of a finite course.
Private international training community
Train alongside beginners, experienced martial artists and instructors around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any previous sword or martial arts experience?
No. The Jianfa Blueprint is designed to take you from the beginning.
You’ll start with stance, grip, structure, footwork and cutting mechanics before progressing into more advanced material. If you already have experience in martial arts or swordsmanship, the structure will still help you organise what you know and connect it more directly to practical Jianfa.
Do I need a training partner?
No. You can begin and make meaningful progress on your own.
The early stages focus heavily on solo training, including body mechanics, footwork, cuts, accuracy and weapon control. As you progress, the curriculum shows you how those skills connect to partner drills and swordplay when someone is available to train with.
You do not need to wait for a partner before you start.
How can I learn swordsmanship online without a teacher physically there?
You are not simply watching videos and trying to work everything out for yourself.
Blueprint members have access to the Jianfa Lab, where you can post questions and training videos for feedback from Scott M. Rodell and senior practitioners.
There is also a monthly live webinar, giving you the chance to ask questions, demonstrate what you are working on and receive corrections in real time.
Do I need to own a jian before I start?
No.
One of the early lessons shows you how to make a simple first training sword from a broom handle, so you can start learning the movements, structure and basic cutting mechanics without buying specialist equipment.
As you progress, you’ll have a much better idea of what kind of training weapon you actually need and what to look for before spending money on one.
Is this mostly forms, or will I learn to use the sword against another person?
The goal is practical swordsmanship.
Forms and solo drills can be useful training tools, but they are not the end point. The Blueprint is structured to develop the mechanics, timing, distance and tactical understanding that eventually lead into partner work, controlled sparring and full-contact swordplay.
I already practise Tai Chi, Kung Fu, HEMA or another sword art. Is this still suitable?
Yes.
Many students come to the Academy with experience in traditional Chinese martial arts, forms, HEMA or other weapons systems.
The Blueprint can help you understand how Chinese sword techniques fit together as a fighting method, while giving you a structured introduction to the principles and tactics of Jianfa.
How much time do I need to practise?
Consistency matters more than marathon training sessions.
You can make useful progress with regular short sessions at home. The Blueprint gives you a clear sequence to follow, so the time you spend training is focused rather than spent wondering what to practise next.
What happens after the first 90 days?
The Blueprint is the beginning, not the end.
After completing the beginner path, you can continue developing your Jianfa through ongoing lessons, the Jianfa Lab, live webinars and the wider Academy community.
For students who want to go deeper into technique, tactics and freeplay, the Jianfa Study Path provides the next step.
How does the free trial work?
You can try the Jianfa Blueprint free for 7 days.
After the trial, membership is $7/month. You can cancel anytime.
START YOUR FIRST 90 DAYS OF JIANFA
You’ve seen the path, the training, the history behind it, and the support you’ll have along the way.
Now the only step left is to begin.
For $7/month after your free trial, you get the complete Jianfa Blueprint, ongoing feedback, live instruction and a worldwide community of practitioners training the same material.
Start today, train the fundamentals properly, and see how far your first 90 days can take you.
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CONTACT US
(703) 846-8222
Academy of Chinese Swordsmanship, 3543 Marvin Street
Annandale, VA 22003
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