Postby Guest » Thu May 15, 2003 2:17 pm
I am new to the forum, so nobody will know me, but I have been actively studying silver for several years. My understanding pertaining to the "Grips" issue is as follows:
If the Agent (and first mover) comes pressing you and intends to take the grip of you, then you may safely take the grip of him.
When a person has the intention of coming to close at the half sword and to take the grip, he will cross your sword and press in (with his sword, to maintain contact). If you are not leaning forward and you do not "fly out" and you have true distance, this agent will have to step in with his foot to reach you. (If he doesn’t have to step in to reach you, you are not at a true distance and you should have flown out). All the while he is engaged with you sword at the cross (bastard, guardiant, forehand and he is pressing). It is at this time that the agent is vulnerable to the grip. The moment you sense his press and just as he begins to step in with his feet, you have the time (time of the hand, or even hand-body if you have to lean) to place a grip.
Now, with this understanding, if you attempt an offensive grip on your opponent, you are subject to the time of your feet. When you are able to do it, it is generally due to the patient agent allowing you to get to close (by not keeping true distance, or by leaning in) in which there is no requirement to step in, and it is upon the time of your hand (or hand-body) that the grip is applied. And he being first mover has the advantage to the after-doer.
This is how I interpret what silver means. In any course, you always have the option of flying out upon the first motion of the agent. This will almost always prevent offensive grips.
