Defenses From Above
Defenses from above is a four step drill that demonstrates the four essential ways that we can defend ourselves with a descending blow developed by our Parent School, The Chicago Swordplay Guild for use with the longsword; we have adapted it for a single handed sword. Each step can be practiced individually, and chained together in a 4 step drill. On this page they are presented as individual exercises.
The four methods are:
- Stepping into the blow
- Stepping away from the blow
- Slipping the leg and counter cutting
- Directly attacking the incoming sword ("Breaking")
A note on terminology: Patient is one who waits for an attack. Agent is the one who initiates the attack.
Guard names can be found Here.
Cut names can be found Here.
Stepping into the Blow
The Patient waits in Guardia Alta and the Agent takes a passing step attacking with a Mandritto Sguallembratto to the head. The Agent steps into the attack with his left leg striking down into Chingiharia Porta Di Ferro Stretta. The Patient then counter attacks and exits from the play maintaining a good defense.
This play is done when some one is directly attacking you and you have the time to arrest their attack before it develops full power at it's target.
This play is done when some one is directly attacking you and you have the time to arrest their attack before it develops full power at it's target.
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Stepping Away from the Blow
The Patient Waits in Guardia Alta and the Agent takes a passing step attacking with a Mandritto Sgualembratto to the head. The Patient steps away from the attack with his right leg (a small compass step is fine as well.) parrying in Porta Di Ferra stretta. The Patient then counter attacks and exits from the play maintaining a good defense.
This play is done when you wish to void out of the way of an attack as well as parry. It is typically safer to aim the tip of your sword slightly over their right shoulder, to ensure that you have a strong safe bind, then counter attack. However it is also possible to strike them in the head with the parry. This is a less safe option, but is worth mentioning.
This play is done when you wish to void out of the way of an attack as well as parry. It is typically safer to aim the tip of your sword slightly over their right shoulder, to ensure that you have a strong safe bind, then counter attack. However it is also possible to strike them in the head with the parry. This is a less safe option, but is worth mentioning.
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Slipping the Leg and Counter Cutting
The Patient Waits in Guardia Alta and the Agent Takes a passing step attacking with a Mandritto Sgualembratto at his front leg. The Patient slips the front leg back counter cutting with a mandritto to the head or arm of the Agent, followed by a thrust to the body or face.
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Directly Attacking the Incoming Sword
The Patient waits in Guardia Alta and the Agent takes a passing step attacking with a Mandritto Sgualembratto to the head. The Patient steps away from the blow with his right leg, bringing his left leg behind the right one turning the body strongly. (This can also be done by pivoting both feet 90 degrees rather than compass stepping. ) With this step the Patient cuts all the way down to Porta Di Ferro Larga. He then returns a cut to the head or arms, and retreats from the play.
This is a defense that is used when your opponent has a fully developed attack or is very strong in the bind. Using the step to turn your body adds a huge amount of power and structure behind your sword, when done correctly at speed it will "expel" the opponent's blade outside, to their right giving you a tempo to attack. This can also be done by pivoting both feet 90 degrees rather than compass stepping.
This is a defense that is used when your opponent has a fully developed attack or is very strong in the bind. Using the step to turn your body adds a huge amount of power and structure behind your sword, when done correctly at speed it will "expel" the opponent's blade outside, to their right giving you a tempo to attack. This can also be done by pivoting both feet 90 degrees rather than compass stepping.
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