Beginner Lesson Nine

In this lesson we will be discussing the feints from cut 2, and distance control.

The feints from cut two are conducted exactly as detailed in the discussion of feints from cut three, except feigning to cut two. Please note, there is no 2-4 feint, the movement is just too large and takes too long to effectively make.

Practicing controlling distance is one of the most important lessons you can learn to make you an excellent fencer. A sword fight is like dancing, there are two people involved and someone is leading the dance. If you are in control of the distance, you are the one leading the dance. You need to practice controlling distance in a bout in order to be better at hitting your opponent while not being hit.

I'd like to direct you to an article written by Jim Emmons about distance control and his methods of teaching it. 

One of the easiest ways to learn distance control is to play glove game a lot. Glove game is a way of fencing where you are trying to hit your opponent with your glove. You are not allowed to parry, therefore you must rely on your feet to bring your opponent in close enough to hit. The footwork is controlled in the following ways:

• The attacker is only allowed up to two advances and one lunge
• The defender can retreat as far as he or she wishes

The attacker's turn is over when the lunge is completed (when the lead foot lands on the ground). When the attacker's attack ends, the attacker becomes the defender. The defender needs to retreat only far enough to remain safe, but still able to offend the opponent.

You can also practice this by tying a ball to a rope and suspending it at chest height. Give the ball a decent push and advance and retreat in such a way that you maintain the same distance from the ball at all times.

Further you can also have your partner hold onto the other end of a rope and you both do different footwork in such a way that neither of you will drop the rope.