The Magic of the Half-Thrust

The half-thrust or the thrust on on the firm foot is the tactical secret of these texts. It can be at once a provocation, an invitation and a way of testing the opponent's reactions. Everything in LongEdge Fencing's practice is based on proper execution of the half-thrust.

To find out what your enemy wants to do, give him the advanced sword with the body bent forward and the dagger close to your sword. Draw near him to see if he wants to parry with his dagger or his sword.

— Cavalcabo

For my part, I would pretend to attack in order to induce the enemy to strike first, so that I should have the measure to thrust or offend his closest parts, with the intention of awaiting his riposte, preparing nevertheless the counter.

— Cavalcabo

Recollect this when you want to start your attack: you must carry a resolute point to the enemy's face, so that he is subjected [“obligated” may have been a better word choice here] to parry. If he does not parry, let the botte go to his face.

— Cavalcabo

In general terms, the half-thrust consists of four distinct actions which must be combined into one smooth movement sequence. It begins from and ends back in a solid guard stance.

• Step 1: Deploy the arm, extending the sword hand directly out from and at the height of the forward shoulder.
• Step 2: Shift the weight forward, extending the rear leg and bending the forward knee.
• Step 3: Shift the weight backward, reverse the process to return the body into a proper stance posture.
• Step 4: Withdraw the arm, bending the elbow and returning the arm into a proper stance posture.

This short video shows the basics of the Half-Thrust and a range of uses of the Half-Thrust in the attack. Additional pages and lessons assume the proper execution of the Half-Thrust.

Later texts (particularly Charles Besnard's Independent Master of Arms) describes the posture at the end of Step 2 such that a plumb line hanging vertically will touch the forward shoulder, the knee and the front of the toes of the forward foot. Do not go allow the knee or shoulder to go past this position.

Always remember to maintain your balance so that from the forward-weighted posture at the end of Step 2 you can easily move backwards, forwards, left and right.

This is an ecological exercise which comes in several constraint models depending on the skill(s) to be taught.

Set up: One fencing is the attacker. The other fencer is the defender. Each has constraints assigned to them according to the particular variant in practice. In all constraint variants, the objectives remain the same.

Objectives: The attacker, starting at the location marked (As), has the objective of reaching one of their end points marked (A1) and (A2). This is constant throughout all variants.

Action: The attacker starts out of distance and approaches until they reach the defender's defensive distance (E). At this point, they make a half-thrust to the subject the defender's blade. The defender, starting at the location marked (D), has an objective which varies depending on the variant. The attacker continues to their chosen objective, A1 or A2.

• Defender Cues Only: The aim of the game for the defender is simply to provide the attacker with a cue as to which end point to target. If the defender creates an opening on the side of A1, the attacker should recognise this and aim for end point A1. If the defender creates an opening on the side of A2, the attacker aims for that objective. The defender can make the cues as openly brazen or subtle as they please.
• Defender Parries: Incorporating all the defender's notes above, in this variant, the defender can defend themselves by either a sword action (parrying) or by movement laterally or to the rear. This creates a more realistic fencing situation. This variant may be further constrained by limiting the defence actions allowed to the defender.
• Defender Ripostes: As per the above with the addition that, in this variant, the defender actively tries to land a riposte, touching the attacker. This creates an antagonistic fencing situation. This variant may be further constrained by limiting the defence actions allowed to the defender.

In each variant, the defender should be able to state clearly what opening cues they provided to the attacker and, in later variants, how they defended against the attacker's half-thrust and attacking action. The attacker should be able to state clearly which objective they chose and why. They should also be able to describe what the defender did, if anything, in the face of their subjection and how the attacker took advantage of this.

This is an ecological exercise with a constraint to model the desired behaviour.

Set-up: One fencer is the attack. The other fencer is the defender. Between them, approximately under the midpoint of the defender's outstretched sword, is an obstacle large enough to prevent the attacker moving directly forward. A traffic cone or (empty and clean) rubbish bin may suffice. The attack shopuld only be able to touch the defender by moving around the obstacle.

Objective: Finding ways to make the touch without stepping straight along the line of direction. Stepping off the line of direction in order to make the touch.

Action: The fencers begin out of distance, the attacker approaching to subject the defender's blade in the usual manner with a half-thrust. Then, at the defender's response, the attacker continues on their attack path in order to make the touch. However, the obstacle prevents the attacker from moving straight along the line of direction. A step off-line to one side or the other must be made.

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