Drill of the Week - Cooperative Drill: Attacking Through the Cavazione (10-June-06)

Description
The fencers begin in measure with their swords in parity. The Agent begins by finding the sword of the patient. Once the Patient's sword is found, he performs a cavazione of obedience to find the Agent's sword to the other side. However, in the tempo of the cavazione, the Agent executes a lunge as a straight attack at the Patient, completing his attack before the Patient can complete the cavzione and find his sword on the other side.

Prerequisites
The fencers must have a clear understanding of the method and theory of finding the sword, as well as the correct mechanics of the cavazione (from the wrist!) and the lunge.

Goal
This simple drill should teach the Agent how to recognize and take the tempo of a cavazione of obedience. If performed correctly (i.e. the Agent takes the tempo correctly), the Patient should not be able to parry the attack with his sword.

Notes
The Agent must not to anticipate the cavazione and the Patient must perform the cavazione in earnest, as if he was unaware of the outcome of the drill.

Variations
Instead of a straight attack, the Agent could perform the attack with a contracavazione. Alternatively, the Patient could counter the straight attack with a commettere di spada (i.e. stopping the cavazione and returning the blade back to the side from which he started the cavazione of obedience while also attacking).

List of Drills