Two Measures: Direct Thrust
This is an exercise for developing the half-thrust before making a touch using a direct or simple thrust. It can be used as an exercise in its own right (especially useful for beginners) or as a preliminary warm-up to Stabby Chicken.
Set Up: One fencer is the attacker (Learner). The other fencer or instructor is the defender (Feeder). The Feeder stands with a gloved hand or focus pad about 30-40cm in front of their forward shoulder to simulate how far in front of their body they would hold the hilt of their sword. This is Measure 1 (M1). Their torso, protected by another gloved hand or focus pad is Measure 2 (M2). The Learner begins well out of distance, that is, unable to make a touch on the Feeder without taking several steps to close the distance between them.
Objectives: There are two aims to this exercise in all its variations.
- To develop a kinaesthetic understanding of proper measure for the half-thrust;
- To solve the movement problem of covering the distance between half-thrust measure and the opponent to make the touch.
Action: From out of measure, the Learner approaches. When the Learner senses they are at measure, they make a half-thrust to touch the Feeder's hand or focus pad (M1). From that point, the Learner crosses the remaining distance to make a touch on the Feeder's torso, second gloved hand or focus pad (M2). It is up to the Learner to figure out how to do this (Hints: lunge, advancing step, passing step to either side, etc).
Note that all touches to M1 and M2 only need be soft. There's no need to ram the blade's point through the Feeder.
Progression Variations: There are several variations which bring this exercise closer to the real fencing situation. The variants are not linear advancements in difficulty or complexity but changes to the action and/or objectives which produce different but related situations and learning points. These variants may be run individually or may be combined for addition complexity.
- No Lunge: The Learner can no longer make the touch on the M2 target using a lunge or an advancing step straight towards the Feeder but, instead, must step to one side or the other around the Feeder. This variant may be used as a warm-up or preliminary for Two Objectives: Engagement.
- Add a Sword: Replace the M1 hand or focus pad with a sword held in the basic stance position. The Learner can then practice with concepts of strong-on-weak engagement while making the touch on M2. M1 remains at the same distance from the Feeder's torso so that the M1 measure remains the same as in the basic exercise. (Note that this variant does not dictate whether the Learner makes the touch with strong opposition or by stepping around the Feeder's blade. Both options achieve the aim.)
- Dummy Riposte: Building on top of the Add a Sword variant, as soon as the Learner makes the touch on M2, the Feeder extends their sword to attempt to make a touch on the Learner. This is an exercise for the Learner in figuring out how to strike without leaving openings for counter-time or riposte actions from the defender.
- Active Riposte: This variant changes the parameters of the Dummy Riposte to allow the Feeder to attempt to make a touch – but only after having parried the Learner's attack. If this is scored, the Learner wins a point by making the touch, the Feeder wins a point but making a touch. If both make a touch, it means that the Feeder has failed to parry successfully and their touch is not scored.