Fourteen Actions Required for Destreza
You need to know 14 actions for the system of single-handed swordplay described by the Destreza authors.
These fourteen actions are:
Defenses
- The Advantage of the Right Angle – The sword arm is extended forward at a right angle with the body such that the point menaces the adversary along a straight line. The arm should be extended but not locked. The defensive threat may be passive or it may be used actively to generate obedient motion from the adversary.
- Atajo – Subjection of the opposing steel from above with equal or greater degrees of strength in the engagement such that the adversary cannot strike you in a single movement. Neither the body nor the sword should participate in extremes. You will create a cross of the weapons by raising the point and lowering the hilt to intersect and capture the opposing weapon.
- Movement of Conclusion – The act of seizing the opponent’s hilt with your left hand.
Teaching an Atajo
Offenses
- The Thrust – A single movement attack which pierces the adversary’s body to wound with the point. Thrusts may be linear or circular. Thrusts may glide in opposition along the opponent’s weapon or may be delivered without touching the steel.
- The Half Cut – A two movement attack that cuts the opponent’s body with the edge which is prepared and delivered from the right side.
- The Half Reverse – A two movement attack that cuts the opponent’s body with the edge which is prepared and delivered from the left side.
- The Circular Cut – A three movement attack that cuts the opponent’s body with the edge which is prepared on the left side and delivered from the right side.
- The Circular Reverse – A three movement attack that cuts the opponent’s body with the edge which is prepared on the right side and delivered from the left side.
General Techniques (Spirals)
- General Technique of Narrowing – From an atajo on the inside line at the Defensive Medio, carry the opposing steel in a half circle counterclockwise to the outside low line and terminate by stepping to the right to deliver a gliding thrust to the chest.
- General Technique of Weak under Strong – From an atajo on the outside line at Defensive Medio, carry the opposing steel in a half circle clockwise to the inside low line and terminate by stepping to the right to deliver a thrust by detachment to the chest.
- General Technique of Weak over Strong – From an atajo on the inside line at Defensive Medio, carry the opposing steel in a complete circle counterclockwise to the inside high line and terminate by stepping to the right to deliver a thrust by detachment to the chest.
- General Technique of Line in Cross – From an atajo on the outside line at Defensive Medio, carry the opposing steel in a complete circle clockwise to the outside high line and terminate by stepping to the right to deliver a gliding thrust to the chest.
Note: The Generals can be combined together in such a way that the end of one may form the beginning of another without breaking the spiraling motion. It is perhaps more useful to envision the Generals as spirals solely defined by the line in which they terminate to deliver the attack rather than whether they are a half or full circle. Spirals may be used with engagement to transport the opposing weapon or to collect it in space and carry it to a new line.
Changes of Strength
- Movement of Increase – Changing the degree of strength in the engagement to increase leverage along the opposing weapon.
- Movement of Decrease – Changing the degree of strength in the engagement to decrease leverage along the opposing weapon.
Bonus:
You also need to know two of the Medios.
- Defensive Medio – A place, distance, and context in which you are far enough away from the threat to effectively defend yourself but from which you can begin to develop offense.
- Offending Medio – The place, distance, and context of the ideal strike from which you deliver a wound while simultaneously defending yourself. The Offending Medio is the perfect outcome you seek.