Dueling in thirty days: day two

We continued working on the Porta di Ferro Stretta defenses today after class, and another, interesting possibility has been raised: that the imbroccata is not done by changing to Alicorno after the parry, but via a riverso ridoppio, an action which makes parrying all the attacks much easier and more consistent. This version works as follows:

1) A attacks B with either thrust or cut.

2) B parries with a riverso sgualimbro while stepping with the left foot, and continues directly into a riverso ridoppio (thereby covering all possible lines of attack) without stepping. Finally, B thrusts an imbroccata to the appropriate target with an increase of the right foot.

From the hour or so we worked on the two variations, this one definitely seemed to be safer, and provided better results; I could see it being done in almost one tempo if done correctly. It alters the continuous drill somewhat, so we still need to perfect the mechanics of it, but it promises to bear good fruit.

An aside: my old (six years this year!) camera is operational once again, so video and pictures will be on the way. I think it would be particularly useful if there were pictures of the beginning, middle, and end of the defense-counter against all attacks, as well as a video of the same.