Right of Way

[Cutter]

Can anyone recommend a good book that will help explain right-of-way to one of my beginner students?

Your help is appreciated.


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Cutter
"It's just a flesh wound."

[Cutter]

This would be for saber.

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Cutter
"It's just a flesh wound."

[HilandDoug]

Cutter, do you have a REAL blade, like a rapier or saber? Thrust this at your student and explain to them that they need to pretend EVERY blade is just as sharp as that, and that it needs to be parried before a riposte can ensue. It also shows why you don't get rewarded for a counter, as it's obvious that you're giving up your life for a chance to wound your opponent. Do that for my beginners and they seem to understand.

[DarkTransient]

yeah, they would have agreed to probably just about anything you had to say in that case.

[Gajuith]

The ary and science of fencing talks about it in some depth....the FAQ on this site is very informative as well

[Gajuith]

make that the arT and science of fencing

[Link14]

Hmmm, I think Doug has something there. His concept is what I try and convey to my students about ROW when I teach the beginning foil class, but I think the visual affect of a "real" sword may bring the point home.

Unfortunately, my only "real" sword is my navy officers sword, which is pretty much worthless except for sword arches and cutting wedding cakes. Oh well, it looks good.

[sdcox]

I know your initial post was about books, but here's an idea that we've had some luck with in our club teaching right of way to beginning fencers (in foil). We tell them that "you only get one shot". We go on to explain that if you attack and it fails (falls short, is parried) then you can't just keep on "attacking" - you have to do something else. In the same way, if your riposte fails, you can't keep "riposting". As soon as your one attempt is over, you've lost right of way and need to _do_ something to reclaim it.

HTH,
Susan

[HilandDoug]

Link, your beginners will think it's a real sword, and still get the point (pardon the pun). I also like what Susan has to say. You only get one shot, then you need to do something to get ROW back.

[latenight]

Except that there are times when a remise is a useful tactic

[swordsen]

Very true about the remise. but you can teach them that after they have the concept of ROW down solid. foundations first and then the exceptions.