As the ‘Infantry Sword Exercise’ has a deficiency of Cuts, so it has a superfluity of “Engaging Guards.” I have already expressed my opinion concerning the Guard (p. 18 of 1874) popularly called the “Hanging Guard.” Even with the best position, the head erect and the eyes looking straight and not upwards, it is utterly faulty; it displaces the arm and the sword, and, as no serious attack can be made directly from it, it necessitates a movement entailing a considerable amount of exposure. It is now chiefly confined to students’ duels with the German Schläger, wherein slitting the opposing nose, which can be done with a mere jerk upwards, is the swordsman’s highest aim and ambition.
The “Engaging Guards” are thus reduced to the two following:—
Tierce (or outside) Guard; defending the outer lines, arm, shoulder, back, and flank. The recruit having assumed the “Second Position” (No. 2), brings the pommel of his sword to the centre of his right breast; opposes the point to the adversary’s right eye; extends his right arm with an easy bend of the elbow; inclines the wrist with the knuckles upwards to his own right, so as to cover himself in case of a straight thrust, and places his left hand upon his left flank with the fingers to the front and the thumb to the rear. In Tierce of course the edge of the sword is to the right or outside.
Engaging Guard in Tierce (Outside).
Carte (or Inside) Guard. This movement defends the inner lines, chest and stomach; the knuckles are turned down; the opposition is made to the left, and the edge is carried in the same direction.
Engaging Guard in Carte (Inside).
When engaging in guard (joining weapons), the swords should meet each other about eight inches from the points. If the distance is diminished the opponents are “out of measure” (or distance); if increased, they are “within measure.” The recruit must be taught slightly to press upon the opponent’s blade, but not to rest upon it; by this “opposition” his hand and wrist will be more ready to follow the weapon during the attack. Thus also the “Engaging Guards,” Tierce, and Carte (outside and inside) afford protection preparatory to the movements for offence and defence. The eye must be fixed upon the eye and the hand or the blade-point of the opponent, not upon the eye only.
Guard may be partly defensive when the bust is advanced and the point approaches the opponent, or it may be purely protective when its sole object is the “parry.”