Of the Use of the Off-Hand: Part II

Greetings,

This entry is part 2 of using the off-hand in rapier combat.

Cheers,

Henry.

Technique

            With the elements of theory enumerated it is possible to start to examine the practical elements in the use of the off-hand. Essentially, the off-hand is used in two techniques which are related to one another. The first is the parry and the second is the action of control. The parry, and choice of parry, will often determine whether an action of control is possible. To begin with the parry will be dealt with.

Parry

            In parrying using the off-hand is much like using the sword. It has the same options available to it, and same principles apply. It is possible to perform a beat or a parry with opposition, and it is also possible to perform a purely defensive parry or one of a more active nature. Before the specifics of these different parries are examined the overall elements need to be examined.
            There have been some principles described above and these apply to the use of the off-hand in all instances, however more detail is required. Firstly the hand should be held with an open palm, the fingers may curl a little, but the open palm is the primary method that will be used. The open palm reduces the instinct to always grasp the opponent’s weapon. In the use of the off-hand it is the palm that should be placed against the opponent’s weapon; this should be done in a smooth, sweeping motion to allow the best contact.

Drill 1: Hand on the Blade

1.    Two fencers stand across from one another one with the weapon extended but not fully, the other in his normal ward. They should be close enough that they can reach each other with the point of their weapons.

2.    The fencer from his normal ward should extend his hand and place the palm against the opponent’s weapon, first the inside then the outside of the blade.

3.    The action should be performed gently, only contact is needed. This focussed on the action of placing the palm on the opponent’s blade.

 

This first drill is designed to familiarise the combatants with placing their hand against the opponent’s weapon with the palm and on different sides of the weapon. This only covers a single position but highlights the basic concept of the use of the hand against an opponent’s weapon. The next part of the process is the parry itself.

Beat or Control?

There are two options which have been described the beat and the control, or parry with opposition. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The beat removes the opponent’s weapon with impact and force and diverts the opponent’s blade off-line; this is the faster parry however control is lost over the opponent’s weapon. The parry with opposition or control parry retains the opponent’s weapon and thus control however there is the potential that the hand can be cut and it is slower. In actual fact it is better to know both types of parry and when they are advantageous than to purely focus on one.

Parry Execution

The parry with the off-hand is designed as an action to remove an incoming threat against the fencer. This needs to cover all four lines to some degree however the fencer should be careful about over-reaching. This is especially important for the low line parries. As described defensively the fencer should wait for the incoming attack and then defend against it. The active beat and control will be discussed further along.

In the previous drill the hand was placed against the flat of the blade so that the combatant can see how the hand is placed against the opponent’s weapon. The execution of the parry is much like this. The execution of the parry, regardless of whether it is a beat or opposition parry is the same, the change being made toward the end of the parry.

From a normal terza ward, to protect the high inside line the hand should be turned so that the palm comes into contact with the opponent’s weapon and then is pushed over the shoulder of the off-hand. This is the easiest of the parries as it takes minimal movement of the hand and arm.

To protect the high outside line the hand should be pushed across the body to come in contact with the opponent’s weapon and then pushed past the sword side of the body. Care should be made that the combatant does not inadvertently parry their own weapon. To avoid this, the sword should be dropped a little or lifted a little depending on where the attack is aimed at.

With regard to the low line parries, no hand parry should be made lower than where the wrist sits on the fencer when his arm is placed down at his side. To attempt to parry lower will lower the head toward the opponent’s weapon. For the low inside line the arm is dropped toward the opponent’s weapon the palm is turned toward the weapon and pushes it to the off-hand side. This is often performed as a sweeping action. For the parry to the low outside line, the arm and hand with the palm is dropped and pushed across the body so that the palm pushes the opponent’s weapon past the sword side of the body.

Drill 2: Simple Parry Action

1.    Stand with a partner at a range where each can strike the other with a fully extended blow.

2.    One of the partners should make slow thrusts toward the partner and the partner should parry each one using his off-hand. The attacks should be slow but deliberate toward each line.

3.    The focus of the drill should be parrying the opponent’s weapon away from the fencer using the palm of the hand in each line. Placing the palm against the opponent’s weapon and pushing it, or guiding it, away is sufficient at this stage. Speed can be increased once the partners are comfortable with the parries.

Opposition Parry

            The opposition parry is the parry which has been described in both the description of the parry and also the drill above. The only real difference is that the off-hand will stay in contact with the opponent’s blade for an extended period of time rather than simply leaving it once the threat has passed.

            The purpose of the parry with opposition is to gain and maintain control over the opponent’s weapon. This relies on the off-hand maintaining contact with the opponent’s weapon in the process. It is this parry which is used to push and control the opponent’s weapon. The important thing, at this stage, is that this is performed with an open hand, using the palm of the hand to control the opponent’s weapon. Grasping is a skill which will be discussed further along as it is a little more complex.

            For the most part the parry with opposition is used passively and thus defensively against the opponent’s weapon. The control elements and moving the opponent’s weapon come as a result of the passive nature of this parry. It can be used more offensively, but you need to place yourself in the correct position to do this. For the most part this consists of taking control of an extended weapon and pushing and controlling it to where you want. This will be discussed more under actions of control.

Beat Parry

            The beat parry is one of the options available. This parry is designed to remove the opponent’s threat with velocity and impact of the parry against the weapon. This technique is often the first that will be used by fencers as it is relatively simple but still requires technique.

            The effect of the beat should be made at the very end of the parry rather than performing a full-blooded swipe at the opponent’s weapon. Just as with the beat with the sword the impact should come from the wrist, in this case sending the palm against the opponent’s weapon with velocity. Saviolo states, “then must the scholler with his left hand beat aside his masters rapier, not at the point, but in the strength and middest of the weapon,” (Saviolo, 1595). The beat is better performed against the opponent’s weapon on the debole or mezzo for greatest effect.

            In the performance of this parry you need to come into contact with the opponent’s blade on the flat. To come into contact with the edge will sting the palm and even worse if the fingers come into contact. You should always aim to parry with the palm rather than the fingers.

Drill 3: Beat Parry: Defensive

1.    Stand with a partner at a range where each can strike the other with a fully extended blow.

2.    One of the partners should make slow thrusts toward the partner and the partner should beat parry each one using his off-hand. The attacks should be slow but deliberate toward each line.

3.    The focus of the drill should be parrying the opponent’s weapon away from the fencer using the palm of the hand in each line. Speed can be increased once the partners are comfortable with the parries.

4.    Once comfortable with the basic defensive parries, the partners should experiment with the directions that the opponent’s weapon can be beaten.

Placing the hand into correct position for the defensive parry has already been described. However, just as with the sword there is also a pre-emptive or active beat. The ...

The rest of this article can be found in Un-Blogged: A Fencer's Ramblings by Henry Walker, which is available in paperback from:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Blogged-Ramblings-Henry-Leigh-Walker/dp/098764470X
Booktopia: https://www.booktopia.com.au/un-blogged-henry-leigh-walker/book/9780987644701.html
Among other places...

It is also available in electronic format (pdf) from: https://buy.stripe.com/fZecP419c7CB9VKeUV

... or direct from the author.