Cooperative Drill: The Provocation and Feint (14-October-06)

Description
After mastering the mechanics of the Expulsion and the Beat (see the Drill of the Week for October 07, 2006), you will practice using it as the beginning action in a feint. From one step out of measure (also known as misura scorsa or misura camminando), the Attacker performs a Beat or Expulsion (depending on whether or not he has engaged the Defender's sword first) with an appel (stomp of the front foot). Then, in the tempo that the Defender's sword is falling away, he will perform a Feint with Advance (see the Drill of the Week for September 02, 2006), avoiding the Defender's attempted parry and hitting with a lunge. The list of motions in order for this technique are:

1. Beat (or Expulsion) with Appel
2. Extension of Sword with Advance (Feint with Advance)
3. Cavazione (to avoid Defender's parry) and Lunge
4. Recover and Retreat

Prerequisites
The lunge, the engagement, the beat, the expulsion, and the feint with advance.

Goal
The Attacker should master the Provocation and Feint.

Notes
This is a prime tactic described by Marcelli and it works very well when used at the correct moment. However, beware of an opponent who avoids your Beat with a cavazione and counters with a feint of his own.

Variations
Allow the Defender the option of not responding to the feint--forcing the Attacker to perform his attack in response to the Defender's actual response rather than his anticipated response.

List of Drills