These drills are designed to help you to learn various ways of using
preparations. Most of these are done without movement, and should be used to get a feeling for the blade.
PREPARATIONS OF ATTACKS – Preparations D’Attaque
PRELIMINARY EXERCISES
C = Coach, P = Pupil
A. Engagement (Quarte, Sixte, Septime and Octave)
1. C – Engage, return to starting position
P – Engage, return to starting position
2. C – Engage – press, return to starting position
P – Engage – press, return to starting position
B. Blade Actions with Press and Beat (Quarte, Sixte, Septime and Octave)
1. C – Engage – Press
P – Return Press and thrust
2. C – Engage – Press
P – Returns press when coach’s press weakens
C – Returns press when pupil ‘ s press weakens
P – Go under (disengage) and thrust (with or without lunge)
3. C – Beat
P – Return beat
4. a. C- Double beat
P – Return Double beat
b. C – Double beat (first weak, second strong)
P – Return double beat (first weak, second strong)
c. C – Double beat (first strong, second weak)
P – Return double beat (first strong, second weak)
d. C – Double beat (two strong or two weak)
P – Return double beat (two strong or two weak)
e. C – Double beat (longer pause between them)
P – Return double beat (follow the tempo of the coach)
5. C – Beat and extend
P – Return beat, thrust with lunge
6. C – Beat and extend with advance or lunge
P – Beat and extend (without lunge)
7. a. C- High line extension
P – No Response
b. C – Low line extension
P – No Response
c. C – Beat and extend
P – Return beat. thrust with lunge
8. Same as in 7 a. b. & c. but fron movement (footwork)
9. C – Beat – Press
P – Return beat – press
10. C – Engage – press – beat
P – Return Engagement – press – beat
11. C- presents blade
P – engage – cut over (coupe)
If you have any drills, games, or training techniques that you would like
to share, email them to me at craig@fencing.net.