How to Fence Part 3

CUTS AND GUARDS.

CUTS.

_Cut_ 1.--The young swordsman extends his right arm, and makes the cut clear through the target. When the point has cleared the target, continue the sweep of the sword, and by the turn of the wrist bring it with its back on the left shoulder, its edge towards the left. The arm is then ready for

_Cut_ 2.--Bring the sword from 2 to 3, continue the movement of the sword, and turn the wrist so that the point is below the right hip and the edge towards the ground.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_Cut_ 3.--Cut through the target diagonally, bringing the sword from No.

3 to No. 2, and bring the sword onwards, so that it rests with the edge downwards, and point below the left hip. At

[Ill.u.s.tration: _First Point._]

_Cut_ 4.--Cut from 4 to 1, and bring the sword round until its point is over the right shoulder, and its edge well to the right.

_Cut_ 5.--At the word Five, make a horizontal cut from 5 to 6, and sweep the sword round until it rests on the left shoulder, with its edge to the left, and its point well over the shoulder.

_Cut_ 6.--Cut horizontally through the target from 6 to 5, and bring the sword over the head with the edge upwards, and its point hanging over the back. From this position,--

_Cut_ 7.--Make a downward stroke until the sword reaches the center of the target. Arrest it there, and remain with the arm extended, waiting for the word.

POINTS.

First Point.--Draw back the sword, until the right wrist is against the right temple, the edge of the sword being upwards. Make a slight pause, and then thrust smartly forward toward the center of the target, raising the right wrist as high as No. 1, and pressing the left shoulder well back.

Second Point.--Turn the wrist round to the left, so that the edge comes upwards, draw the hand back until it rests on the breast, and give the point forwards, to the center of the target, raising the hand as before.

Third Point.--Give the handle of the sword a slight twist in the hand to the right, so that the edge again comes uppermost, and the guard rests against the back of the hand. Draw back the hand until it rests against the right hip, and deliver it forward towards the spot at the bottom of the target, raising the wrist as high as the spot in the center. The object in raising the wrist is to deceive the eye of the opponent, who will be more likely to notice the position of your wrist than of your point. In all the thrusts, the left shoulder should be rather brought forward before the point is given, and pressed well back while it is being delivered.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Second Point._]

GUARDS.

Wait after the third point has been delivered for the word,

DEFEND.--At this word draw up the hand smartly, and form the first guard. Make the other guards in succession as they are named, while the instructor proves their accuracy by giving the corresponding cuts. The guards must be learned from the target, by placing the sword in exactly the same position as those delineated. The guards are these:

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Third Point._]

A First guard. E Fifth.

B Second. F Sixth.

C Third. G Seventh.

D Fourth.

The two spots H and I mark the places towards which the points are made, H for the first and second point, I for the third.

PARRY.

The parry or parade of a thrust is executed with the back of the sword.

The firmest way of parrying is to hold the sword perpendicular, with its edge to the right and its hilt about the height of and close to the right shoulder; then, by sweeping the sword round from left to right, any thrust within its sweep is thrown wide of the body.

The parry is executed with the wrist, and not with the arm, which must not move.

HANGING GUARD.

When the pupil is acquainted with both cuts and guards, he should learn the hanging guard, a most useful position, as it keeps the body well hidden under the sword, and at the same time leaves the sword in a good position to strike or thrust.

It is accomplished in the following way:--Step out to the second position, raise the arm until the hand is just over the right foot, and as high as the head. The edge of the sword is upwards, and the point is directed downwards and towards the left. The left shoulder is pressed rather forward, and the neck and chest drawn inward.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

In this position, the swordsman is in a position to receive or make an attack as he may think fit. It is rather fatiguing at first, owing to the unaccustomed position of the arm and head, but the fatigue is soon overcome, and then it will be found that there is no att.i.tude which gives equal advantages.

There are two other modes of standing on guard, each possessing their peculiar advantages. These are, the inside and outside guard. The inside guard is made as follows:

INSIDE GUARD.

Stand in the second position, having the wrist of the right hand nearly as low as the waist, the hand being exactly over the right foot. The point of the sword is raised as high as the eyes, and the edge is turned inwards.

OUTSIDE GUARD.

The outside guard is formed in the same manner as the inside, with the exception that the edge of the sword is turned well outwards.

To get to the hanging guard, the words are given as follows:--Inside guard--outside guard--guard.

ATTACK AND DEFENSE.

The swordsman having learned thus far, is taught to combine the three movements of striking, thrusting, and guarding, by the following exercise:--

1. Inside Guard.

2. Outside Guard.

3. Guard.

4. Cut One.

5. First Guard.