Class: A set of exercises demonstrating aspects of Meyer's footwork.
Warm-up: For a change, Nicola lead up through a few minutes of Scottish dancing around the room.
Cutting exercises: Meyer's example of six cuts for Dusack (described previously) going forwards and backwards (cut on the back foot when going backwards). An example of stopping a cut and switching to the other side (adapted from Dusack):
A brief review of basics of Meyer's rappier: stance, footwork, some basic attacks and defences.
Reviewed Meyer's six cuts example (from dusack): Zornhau right, Mittelhau left, Unterhau right, Unterhau left, Mittelhau right, Scheitelhau.
Class: Plays with single sword (spada da filo)
The plays start in Porta di Ferro Stretta stepping towards the opponent (gathering steps) to provoke a response.
Rapier, rapier and dagger, rapier and buckler, dagger, dagger and buckler. Smiles and bruises all round.
Giocco Stretto (close-in fighting) from Manciolino.
Continuing with Manciolino's first Assalto, and starting his plays from Gioco Stretto.
In the Assalto, we added the approach (the first bit):
Continued to practice Manciolino's first assalto.
I've started to dig into the meaning of some of the technical vocabulary on my website (https://sites.google.com/site/nososeet/home/fencing/philology).
Continued with Manciolino's first Assalto. Managed to sandwich the first part of the exchange between two embellishments.
Manciolino's First Assalto: The first engagement section.
Starting in Guardia Alta with feet together (right foot forwards)
Class Outline: A start on Manciolino's first Assalto, then opportunities for sparring.
Great to have Lisa visiting from Adelaide.
Manciolino guards review
High guards: Guardia Alta, Guardia di Testa, Guardia Faccia, Guardia di Sopra il Braccio, Guardia di Sotto il Braccio
The high guards are performed with either foot forward, with narrow or wide stance. Alta sometimes occurs with the feet together.
