Use of Inquartata

[RiseAndFall]

So I've looked at definitions of the inquartata, which say it's some sort of offensive side-step move, but how exactly is it done? And what is the real use of it? Like, why would I use an inquartata over something else?

[Inquartata]

Well, many do in fact find me offensive. And probably some *cough Jeff cough* would agree with the "side step" part, too.

Anyway, simply put it's a demi-volte combined with a croise in quarte ( hence the name ). Very useful particularly against a thrust from a fencer of the opposite hand as oneself.

[Rabid Monk]

In English:
A sideways or backwards step with the rear foot together with a lowering of the body underneath the incoming blade, dropping the left hand to the ground for support, followed by a counterattack with line; also passata sotto. -Vyvyan Broussard.
It is a turning of the body which causes the quarte section of the target to become "hidden". -Me

And yes, it is very effective against fencers of the opposite handedness.
More specifically, it works very well for a friend at my fencing club, who chanced into it.

[Inquartata]

It's not the same as passatta sotto.

[jeff]

What Inq said, plus some thought it was a woman's name because it ends in "a".

Actually, a useful move for occasional use.

Inq: you're a sabreur - I don't recall seeing this action used in sabre, do you?

[VERITAS]

Passato sotto and Inquarta are different actions. I think 'Passata sotto" means "pass under".
My salle teaches a number of body-evasions: inquartata (aka demi-volte), passata sotto, cartoccio, and resemblemont. They are all distinct different actions. And there are more...

Inquartata removes target area in inside high--quarte/carte/four (many names for same line). You may use it when you know your adversary is attacking there. Simultaneosly, you extend the weapon arm at the oncoming adversary and the off-arm (for balance) while pivoting and sending the back leg backwards and off to approx a 45 degree angle.

Passata sotto removes the outside high line--sixte, sixth, or six. You extend the back leg backwards, and turn the body from the waist up over inside, and put your off-hand on the ground for balance.

Cartoccio is a little like the passata sotto, but forwards. Ducking underneath the opponents blade and lunging.

Resemblemont is assuming an upright 1st position and extending the arm. It removes low line target. Very good vs. a attack to leg in epee.

These are hard to describe--find someone to demonstrate, or consult Gaugler's "Science of Fencing" for pics, explanation, usage, and relevant drills.

Rarely--if ever--are these seen in modern weapons. More for smallsword or rapier I believe.
Very spectacular, and fun to pull on beginners. They require exceptional timing and distance to execute flawlessly.

charley

[bernard c]

Originally Posted by Rabid Monk

In English:
A sideways or backwards step with the rear foot together with a lowering of the body underneath the incoming blade, dropping the left hand to the ground for support, followed by a counterattack with line; also passata sotto. -Vyvyan Broussard.

The classic exemplar is here: http://www.flickershutter.com/Photo%...Gallery/68.htm

[LUDICROUS]

The proper use of it is to make puns left, right and centre.

[Rabid Monk]

Originally Posted by bernard c

The classic exemplar is here: http://www.flickershutter.com/Photo%...Gallery/68.htm

So, then, in even simpler english: "to duck"
http://www.flickershutter.com/Photo%20Tournament%20Gallery/70.htmPerhaps

[telkanuru]

Originally Posted by Rabid Monk

So, then, in even simpler english: "to duck"

If you mean passada soto and not inquartata, yes.

[dbell1]

Originally Posted by VERITAS

Inquartata removes target area in inside high--quarte/carte/four (many names for same line). You may use it when you know your adversary is attacking there. Simultaneosly, you extend the weapon arm at the oncoming adversary and the off-arm (for balance) while pivoting and sending the back leg backwards and off to approx a 45 degree angle.

so what you're saying, in english, is that it's more of a rapier "void"?

the inquartata came to us from the duelist of old, when the main point wasn't about parry riposte, it was about surviving. the inquartata may prove useful in SOME situations, but I wouldn't trust it unless you already know your opponents attack is going passe, or is obviously going to hit off target in the off arm. you're much better of disrobing, or parry-counter lunging (besides, it just looks flashier!)

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by RiseAndFall

Like, why would I use an inquartata over something else?

I'd say that 'normally' you wouldn't. It's quite a rarely used action. If you have seen the (somewhat mediocre) film "By the Sword" you can see them performing the inquartata.

It's simply a "moving of target area" so to speak. (I don't know how to put it better in english, sorry!)


Now Inquartata, on the other hand, I find very useful. I really appreciate his prescence on the forum.

[rory]

Er, no.

The photo is someone ducking. The duck is great when opponents make a fast attack in a high line: e.g. a fleche or a fast lunge.

An inquartata involves counterattacking, often with opposition, whilst twisting your body out of the way, swivelling on the front foot. Very useful against opponents who overcommit in the outside line.

A passata soto is yet another type of counterattack: you extend your back foot backwards, dropping your body, placing your off hand on the floor for balance (and, yes, it *IS* legal, the move's specifically named in the rules, look it up) and extending your arm. Kind of looks like you lunged and put your hand down, even though you don't gain distance. You're also highly likely to get hit on the back. Not commonly used.

[VERITAS]

Originally Posted by dbell1

so what you're saying, in english, is that it's more of a rapier "void"?

the inquartata came to us from the duelist of old, when the main point wasn't about parry riposte, it was about surviving. the inquartata may prove useful in SOME situations, but I wouldn't trust it unless you already know your opponents attack is going passe, or is obviously going to hit off target in the off arm. you're much better of disrobing, or parry-counter lunging (besides, it just looks flashier!)

Yes--well, sort of. The Inquartata could be seen as a specific void. It describes the line in which the void is performed.
It was used more in older weapons because rapier was heavier than foil, ergo slower. The blade action of disengage was not much faster than stepping aside, apparantly. With modern foils, voids are risky. They work with binds or ceding parries, or whenever you can control an opponent's blade. Then again, nearly anything would work in that situation.
Disrobing? Pardon me, but is that an archaic term for disarming, are you being facetious, or do you seriously suggest...stripping?

The link to the picture posted is , I believe, squatting. Or ducking. Known to some as "the Boar's Thrust." A very different action from inquartata. Possibly of some use. Especially if there is already a height disparity.

[fencerontheline]

Originally Posted by dbell1

the inquartata came to us from the duelist of oldv

Didn't the old duelist come to us from arizona?

Originally Posted by dbell1

I wouldn't trust it unless you already know your opponents attack is going passe

His attacks are usually passe

Originally Posted by dbell1

You're much better of disrobing... ...(besides, it just looks flashier!)

Getting naked around him???!!!... I think not!! I am a man of decency...


-mjd

[rory]

"Disrobing" - from derobement, to decieve an attempt to take the blade?

[schlager7]

I use an image from an old print of a passatta sotto on a web page here:
John's Personal Page.

Some made reference to its more pragmatic uses. This would have been one.

[Rolls]

Why is there an insistence of calling the Passato sotto and a simple duck two different actions? They do the exact same thing (move the body under an attack while counter attacking). Besides, has any ever seen a classical passato sotta done successfully in a competition?

I personally think the "duck" is just the modern equivalent of the classical passato sotto.

I once made a little javascript that demonstrated the inquartata and the "duck". Some of you may remember the Parry Demonstration that I made. I'll try to put them all online on my website (or maybe my fencing club's site) tonight. Hopefully, they won't generate to much hate in my direction.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by RiseAndFall

So I've looked at definitions of the inquartata, which say it's some sort of offensive side-step move, but how exactly is it done?

It seems everyone is more interested in telling you about the Passata Sotto so I just thought I'd add a link to a photo of the Inquartata.

It is described as "An offensive movement made while removing the body out of line by a side step."

Hope this helps.

[jeff]

Originally Posted by rory

"Disrobing" - from derobement, to decieve an attempt to take the blade?

Correct! And related is "trompemont" (spelling may be off) where an attempt to take the blade failed because of a mistake in the attempted taking.