Salle Green

DRILL 5 - THE COUNTERDISENGAGE

This is the fifth drill for Classical Fencers.

Intent: It is designed to take the fencer through closing the distance and delivering a counter-disengage attack in response to a circular attempt by an opponent to take the blade.

Position: The fencers should position themselves on the piste at the normal position out of distance for the start of the assault.

Leader: Either fencer may be designated as fencer 1 and lead the drill.

Tempo: Execution should be at an even tempo.

Benefits: This exercise develops coordination of fingers, hand, arm, and legs in the development of the attack.

Mask: Both fencers mask.

Sequence	1.	2.	3.	4.
Fencer 1 Blade	On guard in 6	Engage in 6	Counterdisengage in 6	Extension in 6 closing the line
Fencer 1 Body	II - out of distance	Advance	II	II

Fencer 2 Blade	On guard in 6	Engage in 6	Attempt circular change of engagement to 4	On guard in 4
Fencer 2 Body	II - out of distance	Advance	II	II

Sequence	5.	6.	7.	8.
Fencer 1 Blade	Place the hit	Extension in 6	Engage in 6	On guard in 6
Fencer 1 Body	III	II - Recover rearward	II	Retreat

Fencer 2 Blade	Receive the hit	On guard in 4	Engage in 6	On guard in 6
Fencer 2 Body	II	II	II	Retreat

Options: This drill can and should be performed in (a) guard of 6, counterdisengage in 6, (b) guard of 4, counterdisengage in 4, (c) guard of 7, counterdisengage in 7, and (d) guard of 8, counterdisengage in 8, with the low line counterdisengages passing around the opponent's guard.