Wall target drills for in-fighting

Make sure you have room behind you!

Adobe AcrobatDownload these Illustrations in an Adobe Acrobat file (1.16 megs)

Hitting in front of you: Behind the head

  

Hitting in front of you: Close-distance prime

When opponent is in front, near-distance.
This is usually a remise.

 

Close-distance parry, or tempo counter-action into preparation. Usually you'll hit in the low-line, but use whatever target you have.
image3.jpg
  image7.jpg

Start close to the target en garde. Your blade will be against the wall.

Reach around your head, and hit the target. Hit fast, but in the center of the target.

  

En garde in front of the target. Take a prime with a step forward and to the side (displaces your target).

From near distance, bend at the hips and riposte. Try to plant the tip on the target. Hit the center of the target.
         

Hitting behind you: Front-to-back, low*

  

Hitting behind you: High-to-low (scorpion)*

Buildling muscles and reflexes for when opponent is behind you. The opponent has passed or fleched past, and so you hit backwards.

  

Behind the head: When opponent stops in near-distance behind you, rare. Behind the back: Usually stronger and faster, medium- to near-distance.
image5.jpg   image6.jpg

Stand in front of the target, use non-weapon hand to judge distance. Hit the target with arm in front.

Then hit the target with your arm behind you. Fast tempo ÷ go front-back-front-back in groups of ten.

  

Stand in front of the target, use non-weapon hand for distance. Hit the target behind your head behind you.

Then hit the target with your arm behind you. Fast tempo ÷ go front-back-front-back in groups of ten.

* Why is she standing up? It's comfortable, and it lets you focus on getting a good rhythm going. Also, in real life, you're often standing for these touches. As you get more facile, you can get en garde facing away from the target, and then practice hitting behind you.

      

 

  • Why drill for infighting? Every fencer should have an in-fighting routine. Depending on your opponents, in-fighting can account for 1 in 30 touches. Spend 1/30th of your wall time on these drills.
  • Keep in mind:
    [1] These drills strengthen the hand in non-standard positions.
    [2] To do these drills quickly and on-target, you must be focused and controlled.
    [3] A fencer can hit at any distance.
    [4] Fencers     fight for touches.