Drill of the Week - Cooperative Drill: Finding the Sword and the Cavazione of Obedience (27-May-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 and finds the Agent's sword to the other side (i.e. it is a cavazione of obedience). Then the blades are returned to parity and the drill starts again.

	Action
0	Both fencers on guard, in measure with no advantage
1	Agent finds Patient's sword
2	Patient performs cavazione and find's Agents sword on the other side
3	Swords returned to original on guard position

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!)

Goal
The goal of this simple exercise is two-fold. First, each fencer learns to quickly and correctly find his opponent's sword. Second, the Patient must make the smallest motion necessary when performing the cavazione (why will become clear in a future drill). The simplicity of the exercise means that each fencer should be able to perfect his piece of the drill so that all of the motions are as smooth as possible and are performed with the absolute minimum amount of necessary movement.

Notes
This is a relatively simple drill that practices two fundamental techniques of the rapier (finding the sword and the cavazione of obedience).

Variations
This drill can be varied by allowing the Patient to perform and cavazione and find the Agent's sword in the tempo that the Agent moves to find his sword.

In addition to the cavazione and finding of the Agent's sword, the patient could at the same time that he does this, increase his step and move into Fabris' Misura Stretta--that is, of the firm foot (this variation is really only applicable if the Patient starts in Fabris' guard, or in Marcelli's Gioco Lungo).

List of Drills