Approaching Gioco Stretto with Sidesword

Prerequisite: This course assumes the knowledge of the three Sidesword Fundamentals courses.

Gaining via the Cut/Thrust: In gioco stretto, our opponent’s point remains a threat, and must be covered at all times. We will approach their threat and use the advantages of blade control to capture it and make a covered attack of our own.

Maintaining Control: Our opponent will naturally want to escape our control or make attempts of their own to recover it. We’ll use a few common turns (volta) of the sword to counter their actions and preserve our original advantage.

Three Blade Pressures: When the two swords come to the bind, we must immediately decide how to respond based on the nature of the bind pressure. We’ll examine our options as the opponent either decreases or increases the pressure, each time preempting their attempts at controlling our sword.