| Just Joined
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 9
| Fencing the Left-handed Opponent
"The right-handed fencer, in his first encounter with a left-handed adversary, generally finds the reversed target confusing. This difficulty can be overcome if the target is viewed in exactly the same way that it is on a right-handed opponent.
Beginning with simple attacks, if the adversary invites in first, the straight thrust is directed to the outside low line, opposition to the left; if he invites in second, the straight thrust is aimed at the high line, opposition to the right; if he invites in third, the straight thrust is directed to the inside high line, opposition to the right; and if he invites in fourth, the straight thrust is aimed at the outside high line, opposition to the left.
If the opponent engages in first, the disengagement moves clockwise to the outside low line, opposition to the left; if he engages in second, the disengagement travels counterclockwise to the high line, opposition to the right; if he engages in third, the disengagement moves clockwise to the inside high line, opposition to the right; and if he engages in fourth, the disengagement travels counterclockwise to the outside high line, opposition to the left.
If the adversary’s blade is engaged in first, the glide is directed to the outside low line, opposition to the left; if it is engaged in second, the glide is aimed at the inside low line, opposition to the right; if it is engaged in third, the glide is directed to the inside high line, opposition to the right; and if it is engaged in fourth, the glide is aimed at the outside high line, opposition to the left. The flanconade in fourth is directed to the inside low line, opposition to the left.
Like simple attacks, ripostes may also terminate in a different line.
After the parry of first the riposte may be directed to the outside low line by detaching the blade, or by maintaining contact.
After the parry of second the riposte may be aimed at the high line by detaching the blade, or at the inside low line by maintaining contact.
After the parry of third the riposte may be directed to the low line by detaching the blade, or to the inside high line by maintaining contact.
After the parry of fourth the riposte may be aimed at the low line by detaching the blade, or at the outside high line by detaching the blade, or by maintaining contact.
Compound attacks with single and double feints follow the same pattern as simple attacks.
If the opponent invites in first, the single feint is directed to the outside low line, and the parry of second eluded with a disengagement moving counterclockwise to the high line; with the double feint the action terminates in the low line.
If the adversary invites in second, the single feint is aimed at the high line, and the parry of third is eluded with a disengagement traveling clockwise to the low line; with the double feint the movement ends in the high line.
If the opponent invites in third, the single feint is directed to the inside high line, and the parry of fourth eluded with a disengagement moving counterclockwise to the outside high line; with the double feint the action terminates in the inside high line.
If the adversary invites in fourth, the single feint is aimed at the outside high line, and the parry of third is eluded with a disengagement traveling clockwise to the inside high line; with the double feint the movement ends in the outside high line.
Circular attacks are treated in similar fashion.
If the opponent invites in first, the feint is directed to the outside low line, and the parry of counter of first eluded with a deceive moving clockwise to the outside low line.
If the adversary invites in second, the feint is aimed at the high line, and the parry of counter of second eluded with a deceive traveling counterclockwise to the high line.
If the opponent invites in third, the feint is directed to the inside high line, and the parry of counter of third eluded with a deceive moving clockwise to the inside high line.
If the adversary invites in fourth, the feint is aimed at the outside high line, and the parry of counter of fourth eluded with a deceive traveling counterclockwise to the outside high line.
Actions on the blade are also affected by the reversed target.
In the case of transports followed by glides, if the opponent’s blade is engaged in first, the opposing steel is transported from left to right, with the glide in the inside high line, opposition to the right; if it is engaged in second, the hostile blade is shifted from right to left, with the glide to the outside high line, opposition to the left; if it is engaged in third, the opposing steel is transferred from right to left, with the glide to the outside low line, opposition to the left; and if it is engaged in fourth, the hostile blade is carried from left to right, with the glide to the inside low line, opposition to the right.
With beats, the beat in first is followed by a thrust to the outside low line; the beat in second, by a thrust to the high line; the beat in third, by a thrust to the inside high line; and the beat in fourth, by a thrust to the low line, or to the outside high line.
The attack with blade cover, instead of ending in the inside high line, terminates in the low line.
Similarly, adjustments must be made with counterattacks such as the arrest and the inquartata.
From an invitation or engagement in first, the arrest is in the high line; from an invitation or engagement in second, the arrest is in the low line; from an invitation or engagement in third, the arrest is in the low line; and from an invitation or engagement in fourth, the arrest is in the inside high line.
The inquartata, rather than being directed to the inside high line, is aimed at the low line.
As concerns two left-handed fencers, they oppose one another in the usual way; any awkwardness they may sense at first generally stems from the fact that their early fencing experience is gained largely from encounters with right-handed adversaries."
-- "The Left-handed Opponent," pg 130-132, The Science of Fencing by William Gaugler |
Linear Mode
