La Verdadera Destreza - Spanish Sword Form (Before, During, After)

This is a basic thrusting form we created derived from Pachequistan Destreza. The structure is based on Spanish fencing timing (before, during, & after) and we included second intention attacks by conclusion and circular cut. A more conservative version of the same form would replace the conclusion/circular cut with a thrust of the quarter/half/full circle during the adversary’s defensive movement. Full details on the form can be found on the Destreza Translation and Research Project web site. ******************************************* UPDATE (July 12, 2012): In response to user feedback I want to address the lengths of the transverse steps taken to attack especially with regards to the “during“. Is a long step correct and appropriate? For an example of long attacking steps consider Ettenhard’s Compendium Treatise 3, Chapter 4. (Reference images X, XI, and XII) From Measure of Proportion the diestro strikes into the adversary’s preparation with a single step transverse left and then exits on a new diameter (Images X and XI). Ettenhard does not mention a gaining step used to pre-load in this case and in practice the extra time required to pre-load with a gaining step is too costly. In fact, Ettenhard tells us, “...because it should be executed with all the speed possible and exiting afterward to the Measure of Proportion,...“ With this evidence, we believe that attacks that take place in the during may correctly be executed with a single long transverse step. In contrast, if the adversary has stepped forward to deliver the final movement of the attack, your own step can be smaller which is what we try to reflect in the video and is consistent with image XII in Ettenhard’s text. The best advice for step lengths I have found is Ettenhard’s from the Compendium Treatise 2, Chapter 4 which can be found translated into English on our site.