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Recently during class my student, Jason, described Spreier Dirty Boxing as –

“The art of knowing your options even if you don’t use them.”

I immediately ran to grab my phone and write this down because damn if it isn’t a great encapsulation of this Art I’m working on creating. And perfectly encapsulated what we were working on today.

When describing his parries and the possible ripostes Cerri lays them all out in exacting detail. Here is an example:

Parry of Quarta, the ten ripostes

In the parry of quarta the bastone’s point is high, and the hands are low, as in Figure 11, Plate 5. As soon as the parry is executed, beating it away, we raise the hands over the left shoulder, dropping the bastone’s point in prima, making it rotate with the hands crossed in prima, as shown in Figure 18, Plate 7, and riposte to the outside of the opponent’s head. If instead we want to riposte to the face in opposition, after the parry we raise the hands over the right shoulder, and perform an umbrella, deliver a blow to the inside of the enemy’s face (which is the outside for the person making the riposte). The same movement is used to riposte to the flank and the leg, but with this last one, we must lower the body to avoid a blow in tempo, which would be otherwise impossible to parry. The opponent would be in a very advantageous position, only having to withdraw his leg and deliver a blow to the face. To riposte by montante, the fencer must immediately move the hands to the outside at the height of the right shoulder, delivering a blow to the inside, and doing so, in raising his hands, he will be protected from the blow in tempo his opponent could perform.

All these parries can also be done ceding, that is, parrying as above and allowing the bastone to move to the side of the opposite where it was stopped, then raising the hands in seconda, the point is allowed to lower as if he was parrying in seconda; then, continuing the molinello, a blow is made to the inside of the enemy’s head. To riposte to the face after the same parry, sliding the bastone and raising the hands overhead, we execute an umbrella from the inside delivering a blow to the outside of the opponent’s face. The same is true, if wanting to riposte to the flank or leg, or even by montante, raising the hands well in order to be covered from a blow delivered by the enemy in the opposite direction.

~ Giuseppe Cerri, “Trattato Teorico-Pratico della Scherma di Bastone” (Il Cerchio)

For some other parries he only notes five ripostes, but is no less verbose in describing them. That is very useful for laying out knowledge but I have learned that it might not be the best way to teach for all learners. So rather than learning the system by drilling each riposte from each parry what I’ve focused on this bastone unit is to give my students (and myself) the parries, the attacks: Blows to the Head (descending), Montante (ascending), and Umbrellas (flat), and then giving ourselves the autonomy to decide which attack is the best riposte choice in that moment

And guess what? More often than not we choose one of Cerri’s 10 options because they are the natural ones. After exploring this for some time, we will then drill specific ripostes (especially the more awkward feeling ones). 

My reasons for teaching it this way mainly came from observing students over time. A lot of folks who struggle with memory or have ADHD find the number of options overwhelming. Trying to remember what riposte to do when can cause executive dysfunction – freezing because you don’t know what choice to make. Giving them the freedom to make their own choice based on what feels “right” to them reduces this strain. 

This is different from giving people a brief lesson and letting them spar. We are still drilling – we are just focusing on the defensive action rather than the riposte. It is not a question of Drilling or Sparring being the primary teaching tool – it is using both tools. A good teacher, like a good craftsperson, should be able to use all the tools in their toolbox in order to complete the job. 

A typical drill from me teaching like this usually follows this form:

  • A throws a blow to B.
  • B parries the blow.
  • B is then given a moment (how long depends on the skill level & energy level of the drill) to decide “Is it safe for me to riposte?”
  • If the answer is No, then they get out of measure safely.
  • If the answer is Yes, then they riposte as they deem fit.
  • They switch roles.
  • After several iterations and explorations I note which ripostes people are missing/avoiding and we will drill those specifically. 

It is important to know all of your riposte options. Even if you only ever rely on one or two, you need to have the others available just in case. 

You have to know your options, even if you don’t use them. 

Gods I love that. Thanks Jason. 

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