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Crossed in the middle

Thu, 08/06/2009 - 06:13 — Jim.Barrows

This play teaches what happens when you're crossed at the middle of the blade. You have 2 options again, either traverse and cut to the arms, or if your opponents blade is close enough, grab his blade, and attack.

Solution 1
Tempo Performer Starting Ward Cut/Action Footwork Ending Ward
1 Scholar Short Ward Falling Cut to Players Arms Advance Traverse1 Short Ward
2 Scholar Short Ward Thrust Pass or Advance2 Long Ward
Solution 2
Tempo Performer Starting Ward Cut/Action Footwork Ending Ward
1 Scholar Short Ward Left hand grabs opponents blade, gripping it above his own. Short Ward
2 Scholar Short Ward Falling cut or Thrust, Kick if close enough after3 Pass Long Ward

Explanation

First Solution

Tempo 1The player and scholar have started as they did in the first play, only they are crossed at the middle of their blades. Their hands and arms are closer then in the first play.

Tempo 2The scholar takes a traversing step and gets a very nice line at both arms of the Player. The scholar cuts fendente into the arms. The scholar is prevented from the thrust by the closeness of the hands, and the angle of the blades themselves. The scholar has to only grab the Scholars blade and counter attack herself.

The traversing step can be either a passing, or advancing traverse, depending on range, and other circumstances. The farther along your opponents circle you go, the better a line you get at the arms and hands. However, the longer it takes as well. You need to move far enough that the Players quillons are out of the way, but not so far that the Player has time to do something else.

Tempo 2As always a cut to the hands or arms leads to a thrust to the body or face.

Second Solution

Tempo 1The second solution is to simply grab the blade, cut or thrust, and kick your opponents leg. When you grab the opponents blade, you do so with the palm out, and thumb down. If you grab it any other way, you risk getting your hand cut. After you grab it, you can rotate the grabbing hand palm in, while bringing it to your hip. You can also leave it in place, as shown.

Tempo 2Now you can immediately launch an attack of your own.

Tempo 2Or, if you like, kick your opponent.

Notes

  1. If you take a wider step, this gives you a better line to the players arms, and you're able to cut both.
  2. Whether the Scholar advances, or passes will depend on the measure between the Scholar and the Player.
  3. Once you have grabbed the blade immediately make your thrust or cut, then if you're close enough, you can kick into the Players knee/shin area.