Part 17 (1/2)

ATTACKS ON THE RIFLE.

=80.= These movements are made for the purpose of forcing or disclosing an opening into which an attack can be made. They are the =press=, the =beat=, and the =twist=.

=81.= In the =press= the attack quickly presses against the opponent's bayonet or rifle with his own and continues the pressure as the attack is delivered.

Example: Being at the =engage=, 1. =Number one, press=, and at chest, =thrust=; 2. =Number two, parry right=; 3. =a.s.sAULT.=

=82.= The attack by =disengagement= is particularly effective following the =press=.

Example: Being at the =engage=, 1. =Number one, press=, and at stomach, =thrust=; 2. =Number two, low parry left=; 3. =a.s.sAULT.=

=83.= The =beat= is an attack in which a sharp blow, is struck against the opponent's rifle for the purpose of forcing him to expose an opening into which an attack immediately follows. It is used when there is but slight opposition or no contact of rifles.

Example: Being at the =engage=, 1. =Number one, beat=, and at stomach (chest, etc.), =thrust=; 2. =Number two, parry left=; 3. =a.s.sAULT.=

=84.= In the =twist= the rifle is crossed over the opponent's rifle or bayonet and his bayonet forced downward with a circular motion and a straight attack made into the opening. It requires superior strength on the part of the attack.

Example: Being at the engage, 1. =Number one, twist=, and at stomach, =thrust=; 2. =Number two, low parry left=; 3. =a.s.sAULT.=

FEINTS.

=85.= Feints are movements which threaten or simulate attacks and are made with a view to inducing an opening or parry that exposes the desired point of attack. They are either single or double, according to the number of such movements made by the attack.

=86.= In order that the attack may be changed quickly, as little force as possible is put into a feint.

Example: Being at the =engage=, 1. =Number one, feint head thrust=; at stomach, =lunge=; 2. =Number two, parry right and low parry right=; 3.

=a.s.sAULT.=

Number one executes the feint and then the attack. Number two executes both parries.

=87.= In double feints first one part of the body and then another is threatened and a third attacked.

Example: Being at the =engage=, 1. =Number one, feint straight thrust= at chest; =disengagement= at chest; at stomach, =lunge=; 2. =Number two, parry right, parry left=, and =low parry left=; 3. =a.s.sAULT.=

=88.= An opening may be offered or procured by opposition, as in the =press= or =beat=.

=89.= In fencing exercises every feint should at first be parried.

When the defense is able to judge or divine the character of the attack the feint is not necessarily parried, but may be nullified by a counter feint.

=90.= A =counter feint= is a feint following the opponent's feint or following a parry of his attack and generally occurs in combined movements.

COMBINED MOVEMENTS.

=91.= When the men have become thoroughly familiar with the various foot movements, parries, guards, attacks, feints, etc., the instructor combines several of them and gives the commands in quick succession, increasing the rapidity and number of movements as the men become more skillful. Opponents will be changed frequently.

1. Example: Being at the =engage=, 1. =Number one, by disengagement= at chest, =thrust=; 2. =Number two, parry left, right step= (left foot first), and =lunge=; 3. =a.s.sAULT.=

2. Example: Being at =engage left=, 1. =Number one, press and lunge=; 2. =Number two, parry right, left step=, and =thrust=; 3. =a.s.sAULT.=