FENCING NOTES

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12823, 18 August 1939, Page 7

FENCING NOTES

(By “Kenstow”) As I said last week, I propose this week to deal with the “simple” attack. The attack is an offensive action comprising the development. It is “simple” or “compound.” There aie three simple attacks, the direct thrust, the disengagement, and the cut over. > The direct thrust is delivered in the line of engagement left open by tne. opponent, i.e., causing the target to be left open, and delivered by straightening the sword arm looking over the pommel and point and lunging at the body. The disengagement is delivered

from, the line of engagement to another line by the shortest route, i.e., to disengage pass the point under your opponent’s blade into the required line with a progression of the arm, then lunge, taking care that the point has a fractional precedence of the right foot.

A disengagement .from ■ tlie low. line Avouid be made by passing tlie point over the opposing blade. The cut over is a disengagement made from the high line into the opposite high line by passing the point over the opposing blade. To cut over—with thumb and index finger .(slightly relaxing the remaining digits and slightly bending the wrist) raise the blade, always retaining contact with the adversary’s blade, until the opposing point is reached. Regain full grip and drop the .point into the other line with a progressive movement of the arm, lunge.

Note: As I propose next week to give the method of a compound attack I strngly advise these notes be tack I strongly advise these notes be tween the simple and compound attack will be clearly understood.