Subjection

This is known in other rapier traditions as “gaining the blade,” “stringere,” and other names. Cavalcabo and Paternoster include actions which look like a subjection but do not name it. Only de Heredia discusses subjection under its own heading. However, since de Heredia's response to subjecting and being subjected is Cavalcabo's vertical caver, it seems appropriate to include this as part of the tradition as taught.

The aim of subjection, unlike other Italian-based traditions, is not to win the centre line. It is to force your opponent to disengage or to withdraw. The theory is that while your opponent is doing one of these actions, your opponent cannot attack you. This idea is implicit in other traditions and it is made explicit here.

In pairs, both partners adopt the en garde stance.

1. At the engagement, push the opponent's blade with yours to your outside such that the opponent's tip is no longer threatening you. Note that there is no need for your point to remain targeting the opponent although this is a good idea.
2. The opponent attempts to disengage underneath your weapon. When the opponent makes to disengage, you will feel the sudden removal of pressure from your blade. This is your trigger to act.
3. Perform a vertical caver to thrust an estocade (quarte) on the firm foot into the opponent's flank.

Repeat this exercise subjecting the opponent's blade on the inside. The response in this case according to de Heredia is to perform a vertical caver and thrust on the firm foot in brocade (seconde). In practice, I find I do this in something more like a tierce than a seconde.

Some notes:

• Learn the to feel the trigger for action. This is key to all fencing.
• To protect yourself, you may need to move your hand laterally, ie: to your inside when responding in quarte or to the outside when responding in seconde. Moving your feet may also help.

In pairs, both partners adopt the en garde stance.

1. At the engagement, the opponent pushes your blade to your outside such that your point no longer threatens the opponent. Again, there is no need for the opponent's point to remain threatening you.
2. Perform a vertical caver to thrust in estocade (quarte) on the firm foot to the opponent's flank.

Repeat this exercise subjecting the opponent's blade on the inside. The action in this case according to de Heredia is to perform a vertical caver and thrust on the firm foot in brocade (seconde). In practice, I find I do as a tierce.

The trigger for this action is noticing that in subjecting your blade your opponent's point is outside your presence. This creates the space along the centre line that you will exploit in the caver.

A more subtle trigger is recognising that the pressure the opponent is exerting to subject you will take his or her point out of your presence as soon as you make the disengage to perform the caver. Sensitivity to this takes some time and practice to master.

The notes in the previous exercise apply equally here.