DiGrasse Thrusting

[Guest]

I've been working through DiGrasse's work after reading Mr. Clements description and have come up with an odd question. DiGrasse describes three wards, low, broad and high, from which he advocates a thrust as the preferred attack. My question is how should that thust land with respect to the orientation of the blade.

In the low and high wards, the edges are perpendicular to the ground. Would a quick thust launched from here be a simple extension of the arm or would it also involve a twist of the wrist to bring the edges of the blade parallel with the ground. The opposite is true fo the broad ward.

Is the orientation not relevant, or is there a historically preferred way to deliver a thrust. Ergonomically is seems that the orientation of the blade should depend on what postition it started from.

[John_Clements]

Good question. It seems from experiment with sharps on test targets that from shoulder height thrusts with the palm down (knuckles up) are best, and from waist level the reverse.

JC

[Guest]

Thanks, that clears things up a bit. A second question, the high ward leading with the left leg looks very similar to the window guard in longsword. DiGrasse states, however, that this and the other wards are to be done with either leg leading. I have no problem doing the low and broad wards leading with my right leg. Doing the high ward is most uncomfortable and seemingly off balance.

DiGrasse refers to using the high ward in other sections to block incoming cuts when leading with the right leg. Is it therefore possible that the high ward has two different orientations dependent on which leg is leading. It seems likely that the high ward leading with the right leg would be identical to the hanging guard.

Now if this is so, has anyone tried to thrust from the hanging guard with any degree of power or success?

[Tony_Indurante]

Patrick,

Doing the high ward is most uncomfortable and seemingly off balance

Di Grassi makes specific mention of the high ward being uncomfortable for most people and gives ways for you to exercise to make it less so. See the section on strengthening your body in Di Grassi's work.

[Guest]

DiGrassi also makes mention of keeping one shoulder ahead of the other in an effort to minimize target area for your opponent. In leading with my right leg I can easily do this in the low ward. But it becomes impossible to do this for the broad and high wards while still keeping my point oriented at my opponent. I find that when I'm in the broad and high wards my chest is completely facing forward. I can do all three wards leading with my left leg while keeping one shoulder ahead of the other. I also notice that while he states that all three wards can be done with either leg leading, their are no pictures that show the fighter in either the high or broad wards leading with the right leg. They are both shown with the left leg leading.

[Tony_Indurante]

Patrick,

This is what Di Grassi meant by uncomfortable for most people and why he suggests exercises to help. When you stand in the high and broad wards with your right foot forward your body ends up twisted, like a spring. You will also have placed your left shoulder forward thereby reducing the target area you are presenting to your opponent. Stretching your torso muscles will make this more comfortable.

Regarding the pictures in both versions of Di Grassi's manual, both show the high and broad wards with the right foot forward. They are not shown with the left leg forward.

[Guest]

Now it makes sense...I also found a better picture showing the wards that gives a clearer picture of the leg positions. I shall try again with the "coiled up" position. I can now see why he says that this is such a powerful thrust.

You literally do throw your entire body into this thrust.<img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Tony_Indurante]

Since Di Grassi doesn't use the lunge, it really is about the only way you can thrust or cut with any power and reach with the right foot forward without a passing step. I like the fact that it keeps your left hand readily available for grabing and striking, also.

[Guest]

I gave the coiled approach a whirl yesterday and let me tell you, I would not want to be on the receiving end of this thrust...or any thrust for that matter <img src="/forum/images/icons/blush.gif" alt="" /> I have the luxury of and aerobics room with lots of mirrors to practice in. In looking at myself in the high ward the point of my weapon seem alot farther away than it actually is. This may be part of the success of DiGrassi's style...deception.

I did thrusts from the high and broad wards in the right leg leading position and moved arond a bit as well to simulate keeping distance from an opponent. It feels a little wierd but the velocity of the thrusts and cuts that come out of these two guards are not to be taken lightly.

Unless your opponent is really on the ball when you attack with this technique, the only thing between a hit and a miss is your own accuracy. <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />