Week 2-3: The Defensive Triangles

For each position on the triangle under consideration:

1. One partner performs the nominated cut only.
2. Cut as 1, then the other partner performs the nominated Parry.
3. Cut as 1, then the other partner performs the nominated Parry and adds the Riposte, as nominated.

The advice in all three texts is that the riposte must maintain blade contact. In practice, this is hard to achieve.

These exercises break the defensive triangles into two separate exercises, with a week devoted to each triangle. They both teach the basic cuts and parries. The thrust is not used here, not is the forearms cut. The Sash cut (also called the Chest cut) is not used.

Note: These exercises do not present the most optimal riposte options. The ripostes nominated here are for the purposes of teaching the actions only. The exercises below may be used as frameworks from which the fencer may develop a sense of which actions work for them and which actions work in what circumstances. For example, I find that the most useful riposte for me following a Parry of the Flank cut is a thrust, rather than a Head cut.

Triangle A

• Face cut to the left / Parry of the Face cut to the left / riposte by Face cut to the right
• Face cut to the right / Parry of the Face cut to the right / riposte by Head cut
• Head cut / Parry of the Head cut / riposte by Face cut to the left

Triangle B

• Stomach cut / Parry of the Stomach cut / riposte by Flank cut
• Flank cut / Parry of the Flank cut / riposte by Head cut
• Head cut / Parry of the Head cut / riposte by Stomach cut

Note: The names of the strikes and parries are from the original French and assume two right-handed fencers.

The names of the strikes are parries are given as per the French originals, which assumes two right-handed fencers. I need to work on a mixed-handed version of these exercises.

For reference:

• Face cut to the left – a high horizontal strike made from my outside line to hit the opponent's inside line
• Face cut to the right – a high horizontal strike made from my inside line to hit the opponent's outside line
• Stomach cut – a low horizontal strike made from my outside line to hit the opponent's inside line
• Flank cut – a low horizontal strike made from my inside line to hit the opponent's outside line

This drill strings together the actions of the defensive triangles above. Note: This is not combat. This is learning basic movements and triggers for action. The idea here is to continue the movements for as long as possible, concentrating on proper formation of each strike and parry.

For same-hahded training partners, follow the actions in the table below. For mixed-handed training partners, instead of cycling through head – stomach (target's inside line) – flank (target's outside line), cycle through head – flank (target's outside line) – stomach (target's inside line).

Defensive Triangle A

Defensive Triangle B

This exercise move forward and back across the available space. It teaches stringing together strikes, and recognising and making the appropriate parries, as well as maintaining a good defensive distance.

1. One partner is designated to start as the attack. The other partner is designated the defender.
2. The attacker moves forward with good form making strike after strike. For example, the attacker may move forward making a head cut, followed by a flank cut, followed by the Face cut to the right, etc.
3. The defender moves backward with good form, making a parry appropriate to the attacker's strike.
4. Once the pair reach the end of the available space, they swap roles and proceed on the return journey across the space.

Start this exercise using one nominated strike. Increase the complexity by adding the other strikes in the triangle being practiced.

1. One partner is leader and moves forwards and backwards. The other partner follows to maintain distance.
2. When the leader stops, the follower makes the nominated strike.
3. The leader parries and ripostes.
4. Swap roles. Start again.

A variant of this exercise is almost identical except the role of the striker is reversed.

1. One partner is leader and moves forwards and backwards. The other partner follows to maintain distance.
2. When the leader chooses, the leader makes the nominated strike.
3. The follower parries and ripostes.
4. Swap roles. Start again.