Unless the rifle is firmly gripped, it is liable to injure the hand.
To guard against accidents, the men must be at least five feet apart when the practice is carried out collectively.
The principles of this practice will be observed when thrusting at dummies in trenches, standing upright on the ground or suspended on gallows. They should be applied at first slowly and deliberately, for no attempt must be made to carry out the final assault practice before the men have been carefully instructed in, and have thoroughly mastered, the preliminary lessons.
Lesson II.
THE RIGHT AND LEFT PARRY.
From the position of guard, vigorously straighten the left arm, without bending the wrist or twisting the rifle in the hand, and force the rifle forward far enough to the right (left) to ward off the adversary’s weapon.
The eyes must be kept on the weapon which is being parried.
COMMON FAULTS.
1. Wide sweeping parry with no forward movement in it.
2. Eyes taken off the weapon to be parried.