PLATE IV.—A DIRECT LEAD OFF AT THE HEAD AND GUARD (PRIME).
PLATE IV.
A Direct Lead Off at the Head and Guard.
This is the only direct cut in leading off that can be made with any degree of safety on a man who forms the engaging guard, shown in Plate [II].
It can be given in five different directions, viz.:—
| Horizontally, | on the right | side of the head. |
| Ditto | on the left | do. do. |
| Vertically. | ||
| Diagonally, | on the right | temple. |
| Ditto | on the left | temple. |
I prefer the cuts on the left side of the head, for the reasons that the extra turn of the wrist necessary for their execution adds considerable force to them, and that when the opposition is correctly formed the whole of the head is defended from a counter, which is not the case when the cuts are delivered on the right side. Then the opposition only covers that side of the head. This I think to be of great importance, as the head, as a rule, is the part at which men naturally and generally counter. The vertical is not an effective one. A downward cut on the top of a man’s head protected by a helmet would not do him much harm.
In making the horizontal or diagonal cut at the right side of the head, a man may be timed if his adversary, instead of guarding, gives a straight thrust with his hand opposite his right eye as the attack is being made. The opposition thus formed would guard the attack. This cannot be done on the cuts at the left side of the head, as there is no certain opposition on that side.
The diagonal cut at the left side of the head should be aimed at the temple in such a direction that, should the sword pass through, it would come out near the right angle of the jaw.[[2]]
[2]. In actual combat I should aim the diagonal and horizontal cuts between the ear and the top of the jacket collar.
It should be made with the wrist, and delivered in the manner described in page [22] (To Attack).