Saber Combat Academy LtdLongsword Syllabus‘Dealing with the defensive fighter’

What does this mean?A Defensive Fighter is one who rarely takes the 1st initiative. They wait to counter or to throw ‘snipe attacks’, or only defend and don’t pose a threat whatsoever. It is not uncommon for one fighter to assume the defensive role in a duel, but it often changes and goes back and forth depending on who has the initiative and if they can steal the 2nd

initiative. While it is a legitimate strategy, it can be beaten if you understand the three types of defensive fighter.

Unskilled Defensive FighterBeing an ‘Unskilled Defensive Fighter’ is not a comment on your abilities with the sword, the term refers to fighters who, instead of using complex counters, will simply cut or thrust during an attack, exploiting the shift in posture to their advantage. For example, you throw a Mandritto Fendente at your opponent and while you step forwards, your opponent thrusts for your throat, landing first and stealing the point. Again this is a legitimate form of defensive offence, however it is seen as lazy and rather unchivalrous as it is deceitful in its intent.How to Beat the Unskilled Defensive FighterBeating this fighter works off being able to force them to make their ‘ snipe attack’ while not committing to your own attack and remaining at a safe distance. By throwing a dummy, you can see their intended target and calibrate what to do. Dummy again on the same line, drop to defend their snipe attack and counter fully. Remember that ‘dummies’ are not particularly sporting in this situation.Another way to beat them is to force their interaction by attacking the centre line with a thrust towards the face. They will be forced to defend as it is natural to not want to take a point to the face, and you can then counter and take advantage of the panicked defensive movement.

Skilled Defensive FighterThis type of Defensive Fighter is one who is confident in their ability to counter and would rather wait for your attack before making their move, knowing that they can perform the counters needed. Most often, they wait for a very specific counter based on the guard they are in. If you commit to your attack, they will counter as planned and score if you are unable to find the remedy to their counter.How to Beat the Skilled Defensive FighterBeating the Skilled Defensive Fighter takes a lot of knowledge of the form you are fighting in. As the Skilled Defensive Fighter is waiting for a particular move, it is worth attacking on various lines in order to see what they are trying to achieve. In most cases, this fighter will avoid or simply block until you throw the cut they are expecting and then counter. When fighting like this, if you discover a line that is expected, defend hard and disrupt the counter. If you find a line that is not countered on, attack it again and again to push the fighter into moving out of posture.Another way is to be equally skilled in your remedies and counter their counter to your advantage.

Wholly Defensive FighterThis fighter offers no attacks nor counters in any situation, they simply block and may not even offer a point-on defence. This is the mark of an unconfident swordsman, quite often associated with someone who thinks their opponent is far superior to them and will not risk an attack, lest they be opened up and countered, made to look foolish etc. Remembering that Fiore insists that a true fighter be courageous and willing to engage, these fighters do not sit within his definitions. Never the less, they do exist.How to Beat the Wholly Defensive FighterAs said above, these fighters will only block. They block with a passive blade and are unlikely to score for themselves. In these situations, the best thing to do is to keep pressing your attack. Attack until their defences fail by overwhelming them and keeping in their measure, forcing them into wide play, where it is hard to just defend. Another way to beat these fighters is to offer a point-on guard and extend while entering their measure. Again by putting your point in their face they are forced to react and you can exploit the attempt to push your blade offline by rolling up into a counter, or by disengaging into another thrust for the helm. Make them forget their posture for that moment and exploit it.