In these exercises, Hengist is the student, Snorri is a more advanced fighter assisting him to learn the techniques. These should be practiced with a qualified Marshal or Training Officer observing and offering comments.

Closing the range

Forearm Ward

Hengist starts in Forearm ward, Snorri in Open fight

Hengist begins to close in Forearm, Snorri attempts to hit him and retreat.

Hengist tries to parry and riposte, and the fight continues until a hit is scored or a natural break (when both fighters step out of range) occurs.

Do this a few times. Then try it with Hengist waiting, Snorri closing with a shot then retreating as Hengist parry-ripostes.

Don't forget that if both fighters form defensive stances or are out of range then the fight stops.

Guardant Ward

Hengist starts in Guardant Ward, Snorri in Open fight

Hengist closes in Guardant Ward while circling to his left. Snorri attempts to hit him on the way in.

Hengist tries to parry and riposte, and the fight continues until a hit is scored or a natural break (when both fighters step out of range) occurs.

Do this a few times. Then try it with Hengist waiting, Snorri closing with a shot then retreating as Hengist parry-ripostes.

Hengist should concentrate on accuracy of the target areas and on pulling the blow. This also gets Hengist comforable with Guardant Ward. It should be harder to defend when closing in Forearm Ward than in Guardant.

Forcing your opponent to close

Both line up in Open Fight.

Both circle to their right.

There are three options: (Each option can be done as a stand alone drill as well)

1. Snorri gets bored first, steps into Guardant fight and begins to close and strike. Hengist should drop into forearm ward and attack. If he drops too early or too far away, Snorri will step back to open fight, or attack with a redirection around Hengist's forearm. If he drops to late or too close, Snorri should be able to hit him as he changes guard. So Hengist must control the range by either passing forward or back to Forearm ward.
2. Hengist gets close enough, feints for an attack but drops into a defensive ward on the way in. The feint must look good enough that Snorri tries to counter cut or change guard. Hengist can parry-riposte or just close and attack.
3. Hengist gets close enough and does a real attack, or Hengist gets too close and Snorri attacks. From open fight, whoever starts the fight loses unless the fighters are too close and the target can't step away to either counter cut or parry guardant.