Of the Use of the Off-Hand: Part III

Greetings,

This is the third and final part of my discussion and lesson on the use of the off-hand.

Cheers,

Henry.

Advanced Actions

            There are many further actions which can be utilised in the use of the off-hand; two specific areas will be addressed along with some general ideas and discussions of these more advanced techniques. These are more the combination of simple techniques utilised together for a greater effect. These techniques will obviously be based upon the same principles as the simple techniques, merely expanded to include more techniques and possibilities.

Counters to Counters

            The first area of discussion is the concept of the counter to beat a counter. Actions have been discussed. Counters to these actions have been discussed. By applying the same principles and examining the situation counters can be made to these counters. This cycle can continue until one combatant has run out of ideas and breaks off, until a stalemate has been reached and both combatants break off, or until one of the combatants succeeds in his action.

The most important thing in this is as with all combats is to ensure your safety first. The first thought should be to counter the action of the opponent’s sword and then consider attacking. If both can be achieved simultaneously then you will have a great advantage. In the situation of breaking off remember to ensure your safety in the process of breaking off and also once completed.

Beat and Opposition Follow-Up

            The basic techniques have been described for both the beat and opposition parries in both their defensive and offensive forms. One example has been given of where to direct the force in the pushing to the off-hand side of the opponent. This is only one option of many that may be used. The direction of the parry and the control should be dependent on what the fencer has planned to follow the action.

            The parry may be followed by a simple control, contact with the weapon, or even a second parry with the hand depending on the chosen situation. This is where it is important to know how to control the direction in which the opponent’s weapon will travel and to have some idea of what to follow this action with. Some ideas about this particular concept will be discussed below in the combination and application of the sword and the hand.

Blade grasping 

“Moreover, having the use of your lefte hand, and wearing a gantlet or glove of maile, your enemy shall no sooner make a thrust, but you shal be readye to catch his swoorde fast, and to command him at your pleasure:” (Saviolo, 1595) 

            Saviolo explains the operation of the parrying gauntlet succinctly. The purpose of the gauntlet is to gain the opponent’s sword by grasping it and controlling it. However, there is a little more detail that should go into the consideration in the use of the gauntlet. Some of this has to do with the simple use of it, but a little also has to do with the safe use of it.

            First of all the gauntlet and blade grasping is designed to give the user solid control over the opponent’s weapon whether or not they are wearing the gauntlet. The same actions can be performed with a standard glove but the user needs to be aware of the threat to the hand. There is one great advantage and one major disadvantage to this controlling action. The greatest advantage is the solid control over the opponent’s weapon and thus being able to move it about, however this solid control also tells the opponent exactly what is going on and gives them a chance to react to the action of the grasp. Of course there is also the obvious potential for the hand being cut if the gauntlet is not being worn.

            In practicing blade grasping it is best to consider the advantages that you possess before you begin. The first question is whether a gauntlet is being worn and how this will change the operation of it. To begin, with it is best to practice without grasping the opponent’s blade. This prevents the embedding of the idea of the necessity of grasping and thus inability in other actions. Use the previous drills to get used to the idea of using the hand first. Once this has been achieved you can consider grasping and controlling.

Drill 13: Control of the Weapon

1.    Partners stand across from one another in their ward at combat distance.

2.    One makes an attack at the other which is parried with the off-hand.

3.    Once parried the opponent’s blade should be grasped, and then moved about to get an idea of how the opponent’s weapon is controlled in the grasp.

4.    Follow the same action with grasping about different parts of the blade. This is designed to enable the different levels of control and different positions that the opponent’s weapon can be moved to.

            The choice of grasping or not grasping is always present with the open hand regardless of whether a gauntlet is worn or not, but you need to make considerations with regard to this. First of all for recreationalists the question of permitted use within the rules structure must be answered. The other real question is as to what advantage there is in the grasping of the current opponent’s weapon. In some situations it is actually better to retain lighter control rather than grasping. Grasping is a solid control action and sometimes it is an advantage to have a more mobile ability to the control action. Choosing when is important.

Drill 14: Grasping and Release

1.    Partners stand across from one another in their ward at combat distance.

2.    One makes a thrusting attack at the other which is parried with the off-hand.

3.    Once parried the opponent’s blade should be grasped, and then moved about to get an idea of how the opponent’s weapon is controlled in the grasp.

4.    The same attack and defence should be made, except this time the blade is not grasped on the initial contact merely controlled with the hand. Slide the hand down the weapon and grasp lower on the blade.

5.    The same action can be performed up and down the blade. The important thing is to get the idea of the grasp and release of the opponent’s weapon and the advantages that both give. 

Blade grasping clearly gives some great advantages over the opponent and solid control over the opponent’s weapon, however just as with any other skill it should be combined with others and used when it is best suited to the situation. Just as with any other skill it is also one that needs practice to become effective. The use of blade grasping will often result in the actions of closes and gripes and you should consider the consequences of the use of blade grasping and apply this to the current situation.

Sword and Hand

            The following part of the lesson will discuss the use of the sword and the hand together. Most of the actions previously have used the sword and the hand together but in a passive sense. The following considerations are for actively using the sword and hand together.

            The first point of call for this discussion is what will be called a “1-2”. In this action the sword or the hand is placed on the opponent’s weapon in defence and then the contact is swapped to the other. This can be performed with initial hand contact or initial sword contact. This response is designed to enhance your response to the opponent’s attack. These actions can be extended to include three or more points of contact either using the hand or the sword twice depending on the desired result and time available.

For these actions to work you must consider the placement of your sword and also your hand to ensure that they do not get entangled in the process of the action. If your hand or your ...

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.