Lesson 14 – Introduction to Counterattacks

As with any weapon, the counterattack is an important part of the repertoire in spadone. In spadone vs spadone fights it really comes into it's own since the actions can be relatively slower compared to a single handed sword or longsword fight.

4 Cuts Line Partner Drill

1. Partner drill, attacker back to wall, defender facing wall
2. Attacker steps forward cutting the 4 true edge cuts (mandritto, riverso, rising mandritto, rising riverso)
3. Defender retreats parrying with the 4 true edge cuts
4. Switch roles at the end of the hall. 
5. Repeat this time throwing a redoubled tondo with each main cut.

Counterattacks to the hand / forearm

1. Partner Drill, each in Right Guard Point Forward.
2. Attacker throws a mandritto to the head on a right step.
3. Defender counterattacks with a mandritto to the forearms on a pass right at 45 degrees.
4. Repeat 5 times each
5. Repeat the sequence, starting from Left Guard, Point Forward, and throwing riversi.

Counterattacks to the Head

1. Partner Drill, each in Right Guard Point Forward.
2. Attacker throws a mandritto to the head on a right step.
3. Defender counterattacks with a mandritto tondo (helicopter cut) to the head on a pass right at 45 degrees.
4. Repeat 5 times each
5. Repeat the sequence, starting from Left Guard , Point Forward, and throwing riversi.

Pass & Turn Partners Drill

1. Drill in groups of 3, with attacker in centre with spadone, defenders with boffers.
2.  Attacker starts from Right Guard, Point Behind, and steps forward throwing mandritto on a right step and riverso on a left step (X cuts). Volta stabile to the rear and on the left step throw a riverso followed by a mandritto on a right step.
3. Repeat 2, throwing the rising cuts instead of the descending cuts.
4. Defenders at either end parry using Head Guard or rising cuts. Defender will have to correct the distance when the attacker switches which foot is stepping
5. Switch roles after the attacker has done all 4 cuts, and continue until all 3 partners have been the attacker.

Defend the Bridge

1. Drill in groups of 3, with attacker in centre with spadone, defenders with boffers.
2. Attacker starts from Right Guard, Point Behind, and throws redoubled cuts at the person in front, and then turns and attacks / counterattacks the person on the other side.
3. Defenders try to hit the spadone wielder.
4. Continue until either the defenders or the attacker is dead.

Note: This is a coached bouting drill.

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