Avoid remaining on the longe and getting to close quarters, no true defence can be made when in-fighting.
If you remain on the longe, your adversary may easily and without any danger step forward with his left foot and seize the wrist of your sword arm with his left hand.[[6]] By always recovering to your guard such a manœuvre is avoided, and, if attempted, you may easily deliver a straight thrust as he steps forward.
[6]. Although this would not be permitted in a duel, a man would not hesitate to do it in actual combat.
Another reason why you should always recover to your guard after an attack is, if you remain on the longe and your adversary retires one step, you cannot reach him; he has then the advantage of position, and will be able to attack you, while you can only act on the defensive.
If you can hit your adversary without feinting, do so, as it is more dangerous to make two motions than one.
Use judgment, study your opponent’s play, and make no meaningless movements. An assault ought not to last longer than ten minutes. After that time, if you have fenced with energy and vigour, you lose your quickness and get out of form, and thereby contract slow and bad habits.
EXERCISES.
The following exercises may be practised by two advanced players. The hits and guards must be made as correctly, smartly, and as rapidly in succession as possible, taking it in turns to lead off. Care being taken not to move the left feet, and to strictly preserve the proper distance between you.
The following is an example of the way in which they should be gone through:—
We are both on guard, and in hitting distance.