Class Overview

This week we concentrated on turning the cut into a thrust, as a 2nd intention attack. We define this as 2nd intention, because we intend to complete the first offensive action. The intention of our first action is to draw the appropriate response, setting the opponent up for our second attack which will be the thrust.

For our revision drills, we worked on the tondi cuts, and our 3 direction cuts for controlling space. Where before all our drills have been repetition of the same cut, the 3 direction cutting drill this time works through 3 different cuts, teaching us to use them in combination.

Tondi (Helicopter) Cuts Line Drill

1. Both start in Right Guard, Point Behind.
2. Attacker throws a mandritto tondo to the temple on a right step.
3. Defender parries by stepping back with the left foot into Left Head Guard.
4. Attacker throws a riverso falso tondo to the temple on a left step.
   Defender parries by stepping back with the right foot into Right Head Guard.
5. Continue down the hall throwing the mandritti and riversi cuts above. At the end of the hall switch roles and come back to the start.
6. Repeat from the beginning but this time throwing mandritto falso tondi and riverso tondi.

Class Notes

The tondi cuts are thrown high with the hands above the head and with the sword angled downwards. The sword turns horizontally above the head during the steps hitting with the true edge on one side of the opponent’s head and then the false edge on the other side of the head. This horizontal turn of the sword over the head is why colloquially call it the helicopter cuts, as the sword blade turns like a rotating helicopter blade.

The mandritto falso tondo is slightly counterintuitive, but the trick is in understanding the leading hand position on the first cut from Right Guard, Point Behind. In the starting grip, the thumb of the leading (right) hand should be in line with the flat of the blade. As the hands lift up and forward, we turn the right hand anti-clockwise, so that the thumb is under the sword and the sword will now be cutting forward with the false edge. We then just keep the thumb underneath during the forward stepping, which delivers good supported tondi cuts on both sides

3 Step Cutting Group Drill, Part 2

1. Begin in groups of 4, with one person in the center, and 3 people around them.
2. The center person throws a rising mandritto, a mandritto tondo and a mandritto, each on a right step working around the circle.
3. The 3 defenders parry as appropriate. (They are a focus target only)
4. Attacker repeats with a rising riverso, a riverso tondo and a riverso, each on a left step.
5. Repeat the sequence from 1.
6. Change roles and repeat with each member of the group taking the place of the attacker.

Class Notes

The key to each of these cuts is to practice cutting through the target. After the initial cut we need to pull the sword through the opposing parry, turning the sword over the head to maintain our momentum, and as preparation for the next cut. Allowing the sword to be stopped during the 3 way cutting is a sure way to be killed off and unprepared for defending ourselves. As well as freeing the sword from the parry, pulling the cut through and turning the sword over the head is great intimidation of our opponents, who will fear closing in on the sole wielder as the sword is always in motion.

Thrust on 2nd Intention Partner Drill

(Alfieri Chapter 10)

1. Both start in Right Guard, Point Behind.
2. Attacker throws a mandritto on a right step to the head.
3. Defender parries with Left Head Guard, turning the vita into the parry with a volta stabile.
4. Attacker rolls the hands up anti-clockwise to deliver an imbroccata to the head, lengthening the right step into a lunge.
5. Repeat 5 times then switch roles.
6. Switch to Left Guard, Point Behind, throwing riverso and rolling up clockwise to deliver an imbroccata to the head on a left step.
7. Repeat 5 times each.

Thrust in 2nd Intention on a Pass Partner Drill

1. Both start in Right Guard, Point Behind.
2. Attacker throws a mandritto on a right pass to the head.
3. Defender parries with Left Head Guard, turning the vita into the parry with a volta stabile.
4. Attacker rolls the hands up anti-clockwise to deliver an imbroccata to the head, whilst completing the corrective step.
   Repeat 5 times then switch roles.
5. Switch to Left Guard, Point Behind, throwing riverso and rolling up clockwise to deliver an imbroccata to the head on a left pass.
6. Repeat 5 times each.

Thrust in Low Line on 2nd Intention Partner Drill

1. Both start in Right Guard, Point Behind.
2. Attacker throws a rising mandritto on a right step to the flank.
3. Defender parries with rising mandritto, turning the vita into the parry with a volta stabile.
4. Attacker rolls the hands up anti-clockwise to deliver a stoccata to the belly, lengthening the right step into a lunge.
5. Repeat 5 times then switch roles.
6. Switch to Left Guard, Point Behind, throwing rising riverso and rolling up clockwise to deliver a stoccata to the belly on a left step.
7. Repeat 5 times each.

Thrust in Low Line 2nd Intention on a Pass Partner Drill

1. Both start in Right Guard, Point Behind.
2. Attacker throws a rising mandritto on a right pass to the flank.
3. Defender parries with a rising mandritto, turning the vita into the parry with a volta stabile.
4. Attacker rolls the hands up anti-clockwise to deliver a stoccata to the belly, whilst completing the corrective step.
5. Repeat 5 times then switch roles.
6. Switch to Left Guard, Point Behind, throwing riverso and rolling up clockwise to deliver an stoccata to the belly on a left pass.
7. Repeat 5 times each.

Class Notes

In each of the 4 drills above, the footwork facilitates a forward movement of our sword, providing us the space to turn around the opponent’s forte to deliver the thrust.

In the first drill variant using Alfieri’s actual footwork description, it’s best to think of the foot work as a forward step followed by a lunge. This incease in pace using the lunge is what provides us the space to turn our sword through for the lunge.

In the second drill variant, we use the geometry of the angled passing footwork to provide the space for use to turn the sword through on the thrust. That geometrical advantage comes from the corrective step of the passing footwork, which aligns us at an angle to the opponent, instead of face on.

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