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Kick to the Groin

Tue, 08/11/2009 - 06:01 — Jim.Barrows

Another option from the middle cross in Giocco Stretto is to simply kick our opponent in the groin. This needs to be done immediately, and there is a counter, but it must also be done quickly as well.

Kick to the Groin
Tempo Performer Starting Ward Cut/Action Footwork Ending Ward
1 Scholar Tail Ward Falling Cut Advance traverse Long Ward
1.5 Player Iron Gate Ward Advance Traverse Front Ward
2 Scholar Long Ward Kick to the Groin Short Ward
Countering the kick to the groin
Tempo Performer Starting Ward Cut/Action Footwork Ending Ward
2.5 Player Front Ward Catch the kicking leg, throw him over backward Advance Traverse

Explanation

Once the Player has moved into Front Ward, he has an advantage over the Scholar. The Scholars blade is caught on the quillions of the Players blade. If the Scholar removes his blade, he gets hit. If he leaves it he gets hit. If he recovers to Short ward, he gets hit. So, he kicks to the groin, which Fiore says "puts the player... off his guard"

The response to this is to simply sidestep it using an advance traverse, and catch the leg. Then using the caught leg throw him over. If the leg isn't high enough for you to catch, you can cut to the leg, the hand or the body depending on what's closest. Just don't hesitate to do it.