Each learning point used here is going to be layered like an onion. Each layer is a foundation for another. It all needs to be stacked together to be functional. or too long, the SCA approach has been to take a bit of what works here, and there; and try to put it to some use. It is kind of like a charm bracelet; each thing on it is different and might not be related to the other. It's chunky and might not work together as a whole. Instead, think of a historical method as a string of pearls that all theme together to work. The footwork needs to be solid, and theories need to be understood and it all works together and in concert with another.

So, let's start putting it together.

Close The Line.

Closing the line is found in many different manuals at the time. The dagger helps to close the line by pre-emptively closing the line, instead of the sword. The primary defense is supposed to be done with the dagger, if at all possible.

If just using a sword, Saviolo uses two basic positions to parry with. If there is a dagger involved, the is no difference with the use of the sword for closing the line. Just use the sword AND the dagger to close the line together.

Closing the line outside	Closing the line Inside

A lot like the onion again, we add layers to this in order to make it work. The bottom layer of the sword does exactly what it will do with or without the dagger. We just add the dagger into the mix, and not substitute the defense with the sword with that of the dagger. However, it will be the preference now that the dagger is added, to use it as a defensive option as much as possible. This frees the sword for offence, for what it was meant to do.



Three Tempo Drill

This drill is done with full kit, at full speed combat. Initially this drill is being presented as a sword drill only (Spada DeFilo) but can be used with off hand weapons, off and, etc. You can refer to this drill whenever you adopt a new weapon, offhand thing, or want to learn how to defend against something.

As usual, we have an Agent and a Patient. The Agent will start out of distance, and will have three tempo's to complete the attack, once it starts. The Patient, is limited to a static position, standing on their surest ward. The Patient is limited to closing the line, but is not able to move out of distance. The Agent is responsible for measure. Once the attack is started by the Agent, the Patient is free to use any counter and parry needed, and can only move a pace in one direction or another. The Patient must concentrate on defense but can't pass out of measure. The Agent will have three tempo's to try and make a touch on the Patient. The Agent is not limited to any direction, distance or tactic to win, the Patient must survive the pass/make a touch on the Agent; and the agent must make a touch in three tempos. The Patient can't leave the fight, and the Agent must think it out.

Start with an Agent and a Patient
-Agent starts out of measure
-Patient stands on surest ward
-Agent steals measure using any if the footwork previously covered
-Patent must remain static and can only close the line (offering a counter)
-Agent plans out an attack
-Agent launches attack when ready, and has only three tempos
-Patient has no restriction on tempo, but can't actively react until first attacked
-Do 10 passes and then switch

Points: Like the rest of the drills we use here, both roles have very important learning points. The patient is going to have to deal with defense, and must think mainly of defense. The Agent has to figure out how to crack the nut in three tempos.

Attack Suggestions;

• Thrust to the outside in secunda with a left slope paced step; cravatsion under the opponent to the inside line; beat parry and thrust stoccata with a shallow incartata.
• Thrust stoccata to the opponent with an advance pace; allow for the opponent to parry and counter; pass back far enough to absorb the attack, gain control of the blade and thrust to the face in quadra.
• Thrust stoccata to the opponent's inside line; cravatsion to the outside line and beat parry; attack to the outside in secunda with a left slope paced step.
• Falso manco to the outside line with a short left slope paced step; parry to the outside going into code lunga stretta; right pass forward and thrust in stoccata like an imbroccata to the face (thrust in terza)

Constant Contact Drill
This drill is my personal favorite. You will need your full kit, mask, gloves, etc. The goal is to make a touch to the opponent, without ever taking your blade off the other. This means that in an ideal setting, there will be no off line attacks made against the opponent. If you simply cannot make your touch while also controlling the other blade, you lose. Also, don't practice this drill with the use of the off hand. You should learn to be 100% proficient with the sword before ever taking up an additional thing to use.

Start this drill around middle measure with tips menacing and the blades crossed by about 3 inches. There is no Agent or Patient for this drill. You each try to make a touch to the body or head without losing contact of the other sword. You can disengage, provided that you only re-engage the blade. You can take the blade off the other one to make your touch, as long as your hilt or the blade has locked out and prevented a counter attack from the opponent. You can also use an effective parry that moves the other blade off line as long as you cover the others blade when you make your touch.

When doing this drill, you must not allow yourself to double kill. You should not use a faster reaction speed to power a shot in, or to hit the opponent off line, or to do a pass and hit them from the flank. This is not a gun slinger drill. This drill will wear you out, but teach you to "Feel" the opponent's blade and feel how yours behaves. Each blade is different, as well as the body holding that blade and this is a good drill to learn the limitations and benefits. For the touch to be valid, the opponent's blade must be controlled or there must be a controlling contact, blade to blade.

Like the tactics drill above, you can come back with offhand weapons, or shields, and the like to use with this drill, but start it without an offhand.

Two fighters start in middle measure
-Blades are extended and touching
-Fighters move to counter and close lines as needed, always trying to gain control
-Cravatsion, beat or anything else
-Defense is the first consideration
-Contact or control must be maintained in order to "Win"
-When a touch is made, reset
-Do for 10 min

Points: The Constant Contact Drill is also a conditioning drill. If done right, it is a bit of a workout on the arm. That is a secondary intent. The primary intent is to be able to understand how to react to the opponent’s blade by feel. This is a completely invented fencing drill. It is an SCAism, and fights may end up in extended binds, and you will need to know how to get out of them.