These drills are from (with some modifications) NoVa Assalto
Closing the Line and Disengaging
Start: Out of measure in guard
Step 1: Agente steps into measure while closing the line
Step 2: Patiente disengages and closes the line on the other side of the sword
End: Fencers reset and repeat, trading roles.
Notes: This is dead simple, and dead boring.
Variations: Fencers vary their starting guard (imitate provosts and free scholars for ideas). Fencers vary their response to each guard.
So what does this work on? The whole concept of closing the line, first of all. But also, it should work up to making that sword position precise, not wasting an inch of extra motion. Also, it works sharp precise disengages.
This one drill builds into a whole chain of drills that are insane and will convert you into an Italian fencer whether you like it or not.
Attack with Cavazione
Step 1: Agente steps into measure while closing the line
Step 2: Patiente disengages while extending and lunging (the disengage-while-lunging is a Cavazione) to land his attack. To insure his opponent cannot attack him during this action, his disengage should end with his true edge on Agente’s blade, closing the line
Step 3: Agente receives the hit
End: Switch roles, repeat.
Notes: The cavazione is supremely important to the rest of the series of drills, and to fencing in general as it is the essence of feints, which force your opponent to surrender a tempo to you.
So what does this work on? Cavazione
Attack into the Tempo of the Disengage
Step 1: Agente steps into measure while closing the line
Step 2: Patiente disengages and closes the line on the other side of the sword
Step 3: As Patiente begins his disengage, Agente extends and lunges, completing his lunge as the disengage is completed
Step 4: Patiente receives the hit
End: Switch roles, repeat.
Notes: This one adds on the concept of attacking as soon as your opponent gives you a tempo in which to attack. Agente must not anticipate the disengage for this to work.
Variations: Agente continues his attack with a counter disengage while lunging.
So what does this work on? Contratempo attacks, cavazione, closing the line
Attack into the Tempo of the Step into Measure
Step 1: Agente steps into measure while closing the line
Step 2: Patiente attacks into Agente’s step, completing his lunge while Agente’s foot is still coming down
Step 3: Agente receives the hit
End: Switch roles, repeat.
Notes: Same as above, but attacking into a different tempo