FOURTH PRACTICE.
| Word of Command. | Front Rank. | Rear Rank. |
|---|---|---|
| Guard | Hanging guard | Hanging guard |
| Head | Seventh cut | Seventh guard |
| Head | Seventh guard | Cut seven |
| Leg | Fourth cut | Seventh guard |
| Leg | Seventh guard | Fourth cut |
| Head | Seventh cut | Seventh guard |
| Head | Seventh guard | Seventh cut |
| Guard | Hanging guard | Hanging guard |
| Slope swords | Slope swords | Slope swords |
In this and the preceding exercise, the power of shifting the leg is shown. If two swordsmen attack each other, and No. 1 strikes at the leg of No. 2, it will be better for No. 2 not to oppose the cut by the third or fourth guard, but to draw back the leg smartly, and cut six or seven at the adversary's head or neck.
In loose play, as it is called, i. e., when two parties engage with swords without following any word of command, but strike and guard as they can, both players stand in the second position, because they can either advance or retreat as they choose, and can longe out to the third position for a thrust or a cut, or spring up to the first position for a guard with equal ease.
It is often a kind of trap, to put the right leg more forward than usual, in order to induce the adversary to make a cut at it. When he does so, the leg is drawn back, the stroke passes harmless, and the deceived striker gets the stick of his opponent on his head or shoulders.
We now come to a very complicated exercise, called the