====== Key Principles ======

This is an outline of the key principles to always keep in mind when practicing LongEdge Fencing's interpretation of our source texts.

  - Keep the Strategy in mind at all times. 
  - The Process is the way to characterise everything you do to keep yourself safe and rattle the opponent.
  - The How presents an overview of key actions under several categories. Specifics are always situation dependent.

==== The Strategy ====

Guard positions, like castles and other fortresses, are impregnable. The strategy must be to convince the opponent to leave their defensive position and provide you opportunities in which to attack.

<WRAP 99% left important>**Make the opponent act first**</WRAP>

Fencing is a game of chicken. Whoever blinks first (generally) loses.
==== The Process ====

This is the methodology for achieving the Strategy.

<WRAP 99% left important>**Incite => Control => Attack**</WRAP>


I've avoided using common terms in fencing at this stage because they are all heavily overloaded and I want clarity here. This style is actually pretty simple and I want to avoid contamination by extraneous definitions.

{{ :lef_diagrams.png?600 |}}

==== The How ====

You can assertively incite your opponent by:

  * **Subjecting their blade until they feel the need to redress the balance**. The idea is to dominate or subject the opponent's blade so that it crosses their body, pushing their point well off-line and maintaining your point on-line directly at the opponent. If this doesn't rattle them and force them to redress the situation, nothing will. Remember that the direction in which you subject the opponent's blade (either to your inside or your outside), this is the attack path you will use by default.
  * **Present your weapon to the opponent to tempt the opponent to grab it**.
  * **Feint with a thrust at the opponent to force them to defend**. This option is the least preferred because you cannot ensure that the opponent will react in the manner you expect.

The means to achieve these three objectives is using the posture of the //pied ferme//. If the opponent does not act, withdraw, re-assess and try again.

If the opponent reacts, the first priority is to secure the opponent's blade to prevent the opponent hitting you. Only when this is done should you attack or riposte.

{{ :lef_diagrams-thehow.png?750 |}}

You an control the opponent's reaction to you with varying the angle at which your blades meet, usually by moving around your opponent but also by altering the way you hold your sword; you can oppose the opponent's blade with strength (keeping in mind the degrees of strength in the engagement); or you can use an off-hand weapon, cape or even you bare hand.

:!: Remember, however, that the sword does the heavy work of deflecting the opponent's attack and the off-hand controls the opponent's weapon so that you can make your riposte. Do not use the off-hand to initiate the parry or control technique.

Withdrawing is a tactic that comes in two flavours. 

  * Keep Safe. If your attack is failing or has failed, do not fight to regain control but withdraw, re-assess and try again. 
  * Encourage the opponent to move forward further out of their defensive position, disorder and uncover themselves.

:!: The corollary of this is: do not follow an opponent withdrawing in front of you.


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==== Scratch Pad ====

Everything below here is in a holding pattern while we development various bits of collateral for learning and training. Expect this part to be fluid and subject to change.


|  {{:lef_strategy-inside_attack_path.png?400 |}}  |  {{:lef_strategy-outside_attack_path.png?400 |}}  |
^  Attack Path on the Inside Line  ^  Attack Path on the Outside Line  ^



|  {{:lef_strategy-the_circle.png?400|}}  |
^  Attack Paths and Measure  ^