The Mechanical Advantage of Fabris
Key Concepts:
Blade Division:
Weak (third and
fourth parts)
Strong (first and
second parts)
Hilt (best
defense)
True Edge (strong
side)
False Edge (weak
side)
Flat (serves no
purpose)
Guards:
First
(natural angle downward)
Second
(natural angle inside)
Third
(natural angle upward)
Fourth
(natural angle outside)
Lines:
Inside
Outside
Above
Below
In
Line, Out of Line
In
Presence, Out of Presence
Time:
Tempo (all
mutations) – moment of motion between two stillnesses, or vice versa
Single
Double
(parry-riposte)
Countertime
(feet > hand)
Measure:
Narrow
(lean and wound)
Wide
(lunge and wound)
“A blade is strongest on the side to which
it points.”
Angled properly, an opponent’s
parry will slide toward the hilt and be less effective. The side that the blade
is pointing will also be weaker on defense unless a counterposture is properly
formed.
Finding the Sword:
Crossing blades at a point that is
closer to your strong than to his and forming a strong angle, but not so far
that you may be easily deceived by cavazione. Blades do not make contact.
Present the true edge of your
blade on the side to which it points to the opponent’s (false) edge.
A lunge places the hilt where the
fourth part of the blade was on the opponent’s sword.
Counterposture:
Placing your guard in such a way
as to shut the opponent’s point out of line.
or
A specific guard used to oppose a
specific guard.
A Guard Well Formed:
·
Presents the true edge toward the opponent’s
blade.
·
Angles the sword so that it points toward the
opponent’s blade.
·
Places the hilt directly in the path of the
opponent’s point.
·
Keeps your sword in presence.
·
Presents the smallest target possible.
