{"id":572,"date":"2009-08-25T06:01:44","date_gmt":"2009-08-25T05:01:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.puckandmary.com\/blog_puck\/?p=572"},"modified":"2018-07-09T18:14:47","modified_gmt":"2018-07-10T02:14:47","slug":"spanish-fencing-notation-part-2-footwork-and-the-circle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.puckandmary.com\/blog_puck\/2009\/08\/spanish-fencing-notation-part-2-footwork-and-the-circle\/","title":{"rendered":"Spanish Fencing Notation Part 2 – Footwork and the Circle"},"content":{"rendered":"

(8\/24\/2009)<\/em><\/p>\n

LINK TO ARTICLE 1<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

In the Italian tradition there is an imaginary Line of Direction<\/strong><\/em> that describes the shortest path to the adversary.<\/p>\n

The Spanish tradition uses this line and expands on the concept to create a 2D planar map of possible footwork laid out in a circle.\u00a0 The Spanish Circle<\/strong> is one of the defining elements of the science and various authors have presented it differently while preserving the core concept.<\/p>\n

Carranza’s Circle<\/h3>\n
\"Carranza's<\/a>

Carranza’s Circle from his text in 1569.<\/p><\/div>\n

Here is the same image with labels to provide us a reference.<\/p>\n

\"Carranza's<\/a>

Carranza’s Circle with Labels<\/p><\/div>\n

The Diameter<\/strong> – The imaginary line separating the two fencers is called the Diameter.\u00a0 It represents the shortest path to the target.\u00a0 The Diameter starts at the lead toe of the fencer (bottom of the red line) to the the lead toe of the adversary (top of the red line).\u00a0 The correct length of the Diameter should be the distance at which the fencer can observe the adversary’s offensive actions and still respond in time.<\/p>\n

The Major Circle <\/strong>(Greater Circle) – The central circle shown between the two fencers is called the Major Circle or sometimes just the Circle.\u00a0 By rotating the Diameter about its center, we can create an imaginary circle which functions as a one piece of a footwork map.<\/p>\n

The Lines of Infinity<\/strong>– The two parallel lines shown in green are called the Lines of Infinity or Infinite Lines.\u00a0 In the same manner as the Diameter, the distance between these lines is defined by your ability to observe and react to the adversary’s offense.\u00a0 Crossing the Line of Infinity means closing distance into the adversary’s offensive measure.<\/p>\n

The Minor Circle<\/strong> – The smaller circles on either side of the Major circle are called the Minor Circles.\u00a0 The fencer and the adversary each stand in the center of a Minor Circle which is defined by the positions of the feet.<\/p>\n

The Circle represents a moment of fencing time<\/strong> – The circle is not fixed in location, but instead describes the distance and possible steps within a specific fencing action.\u00a0 Just as the Italian Line of Direction changes when the adversaries move, so to does a new circle occur when the fencers change position.\u00a0 If an adversary has broken your defense and closed measure, the text may advise you to step onto a new circle and this represents the need to reestablish correct distance.<\/p>\n

Pacheco’s Circle<\/h3>\n

Later Pacheco describes a similar circle.\u00a0 Note that the origin point for the fencer is at one end of the diameter (bottom of the circle) while the adversary stands on the opposite side (top of the circle).<\/p>\n

\"Pacheco's<\/a>

Pacheco’s Circle as shown in his book in 1600.<\/p><\/div>\n

The primary addition to the Circle is the Square <\/strong>which like the angular lines above in Carranza’s Circle provide us with another indicator for footwork.<\/p>\n

We can also map a series of vectors onto this planar diagram which allows us to precisely describe footwork.\u00a0 Remember that a vector is a line with direction and magnitude.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

A vector that indicates motion to the right of the reader. (This vector has an undetermined magnitude.)<\/p><\/div>\n

General Notes<\/h3>\n

The Spanish treat a step as a motion that starts in stance and ends in stance which requires a motion of each foot.\u00a0 When the fencer moves only one foot, this is specified in the description of the footwork.<\/p>\n

To compare this to Italian fencing, we know that an advance starts in the guard and requires a movement from the lead foot followed by the rear foot returning to the guard.\u00a0 Likewise a retreat starts in the guard and requires a movement from the rear foot followed by the lead foot returning to the guard.<\/p>\n

By contrast, when an Italian fencer executes a lunge, the fencer starts in the guard and moves only the lead foot.\u00a0\u00a0 The final position of the lunge is not the guard.<\/p>\n

Forward Step<\/h3>\n

(En espa\u00f1ol – Compas<\/em> Accidental <\/em>)<\/p>\n

The fencer advances along the line of the Diameter.<\/p>\n

\"Forward<\/a>

Forward Step (advance)<\/p><\/div>\n

Backward Step<\/h3>\n

(En espa\u00f1ol – Compas <\/em>Extra\u00f1o<\/em> )<\/p>\n

The fencer retreats in line with the Diameter.<\/p>\n

\"Backward<\/a>

Backward Step (retreat)<\/p><\/div>\n

Lateral Step<\/h3>\n

(En espa\u00f1ol – Compas de Trepidacion)<\/em><\/p>\n

The fencer steps along the Line of Infinity either to the left or right.\u00a0 When stepping towards a direction, unless directed otherwise, the fencer will avoid crossing the feet.\u00a0 For example, when stepping to the right, the fencer will lead with the right foot.\u00a0 When stepping to the left, the fencer will lead with the left foot.<\/p>\n

\"Lateral<\/a>

Lateral Step (sidestep)<\/p><\/div>\n

Curved Step<\/h3>\n

(En espa\u00f1ol – Compas Curvo<\/em>)<\/p>\n

The fencer steps along the Circle either to the left or right.\u00a0 When stepping towards a direction, unless directed otherwise, the fencer will avoid crossing the feet.\u00a0 For example, when taking a Curved<\/strong> Step to the right, the fencer will lead with the right foot.\u00a0 When taking a Curved<\/strong> Step to the left, the fencer will lead with the left foot.\u00a0 At the completion of the Curved<\/strong> Step, the fencer should be in profile facing the adversary.<\/p>\n

\"Curved<\/a>

Curved Step<\/p><\/div>\n

IMPORTANT NOTE: <\/strong>There is a misconception that stepping along the circle does not close distance.\u00a0 This is demonstrably incorrect as shown with this simple triangle in green, purple and blue overlaid on the circle.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The blue line of the triangle demonstrates the Curved Step has gained measure.\u00a0 The blue line is clearly shorter than the Diameter.<\/p><\/div>\n

If you step along the circle you should be aware that you have entered the adversary’s range.\u00a0 Walking along the circle without reason provides your adversary with one unit of fencing time with each step and I don’t recommend it.<\/p>\n

A Curved Step along the circle is a common method of gaining ground gradually and is often used in response to an offensive action from the adversary.<\/p>\n

For example, if the adversary executes a cut, we may intercept the attack with the blade and then step forward along the circle to deliver a riposte.\u00a0 Because the adversary has moved forward already, our step moves only slightly forward and takes us off the line.\u00a0 After we have delivered a riposte, we might back away safely past the Line of Infinity.<\/p>\n

Transverse Step<\/h3>\n

(En espa\u00f1ol – Compas Transversal<\/em>)<\/p>\n

The Transverse<\/strong> Step is a type of angular advance either to the left or right along the square shown inside the circle.\u00a0 The Transverse <\/strong>starts with the lead foot and is followed by the rear foot.\u00a0 At the completion of the Transverse<\/strong> Step, the fencer should be in profile facing the adversary.\u00a0 When there is an exception to this, it is stated in the description of the step and may be called a Mixed Step (See below).<\/p>\n

\"Transverse<\/a>

Transverse Step (angular advance)<\/p><\/div>\n

The Transverse<\/strong> Step closes distance more aggressively than the Curved Step shown above and is typical of offensive actions or attacks into the adversary’s preparation.<\/p>\n

Mixed Step<\/h3>\n

(En espa\u00f1ol – Compas Mixto<\/em>)<\/p>\n

A Mixed<\/strong> Step is a combination of two other types and are often angular retreats either to the left or right away from the circle.<\/p>\n

Two common examples of Mixed<\/strong> Steps are Mixed<\/strong> Backwards and Lateral to the left or Mixed<\/strong> Backwards and Lateral to the right.\u00a0 In this case, the Mixed<\/strong> Step starts with the rear foot and is followed by the lead foot.\u00a0 At the completion of the Mixed<\/strong> Step, the fencer should be in profile facing the adversary.<\/p>\n

\"Mixed<\/a>

Mixed Step Backward and Lateral (angular retreat)<\/p><\/div>\n

Another common Mixed<\/strong> Step is the Transverse Step to the Left using the right foot, followed by a Curved Step with the left foot.<\/p>\n

\"Mixed<\/a>

Mixed Step Transverse Left and and Curved Left (angular advance with passing step)<\/p><\/div>\n

This image is my copy of a Circle from Ettenhard’s book in 1675 which describes the footwork.<\/p>\n

1. The lead foot takes a Transverse step along the square pre-turning the lead foot to point back to the adversary.\u00a0 (The weight rests on the ball of the lead foot.)<\/p>\n

2. Pivoting on the ball of the front foot, the rear foot moves in an arc landing on the adversary’s Line of Infinity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

3. The lead foot passes behind the left executing another pivot and placing the fencer in profile with respect to the adversary on his Line of Infinity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Other Footwork<\/h3>\n

Other footwork is explicitly described in the text.<\/p>\n

For example:<\/p>\n

The Italian gaining step would be described as “bringing the rear foot forward close to the heel of the right foot.”<\/p>\n

The Italian lunge would be described as “an extreme forward step of the lead foot while keeping the rear foot fixed.”<\/p>\n

Opposition of Footwork<\/h3>\n

According to Ettenhard,<\/p>\n

    \n
  • The Forward Step is superior to the Backward Step<\/li>\n
  • The Forward Step is defeated by the Transverse, Curved, Lateral, and Mixed Backward and Lateral Steps.\u00a0 (Stepping off the Line of Direction will defeat an advancing opponent.<\/em>)<\/li>\n
  • The Transverse and Curved Steps can be defeated with the Transverse and Curved Steps.\u00a0\u00a0 (When an adversary circles toward you, either moving into them or circling away can defeat their action.<\/em>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Application to other Traditions<\/h3>\n

    Again this material can be tradition agnostic.\u00a0 Using the Spanish Circle as a footwork map provides us with a useful guide for describing to a student how fast we want them to close measure.\u00a0 We can also advise the student to step inside the square or outside of it provide more nuance.<\/p>\n

    In addition, the Spanish codify angular and circular footwork which has been largely excluded from modern fencing traditions.\u00a0 As Ettenhard states, countering a circular step with a circular step is a good solution and we see this understanding in Destreza, Aikido, and many other martial arts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    (8\/24\/2009) LINK TO ARTICLE 1 In the Italian tradition there is an imaginary Line of Direction that describes the shortest path to the adversary. The Spanish tradition uses this line and expands on the concept to create a 2D planar map of possible footwork laid out in a circle.\u00a0 The Spanish Circle is one of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3,12,13,4,11,6,10,5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puckandmary.com\/blog_puck\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/572"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puckandmary.com\/blog_puck\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puckandmary.com\/blog_puck\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puckandmary.com\/blog_puck\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puckandmary.com\/blog_puck\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=572"}],"version-history":[{"count":55,"href":"https:\/\/www.puckandmary.com\/blog_puck\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/572\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1991,"href":"https:\/\/www.puckandmary.com\/blog_puck\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/572\/revisions\/1991"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puckandmary.com\/blog_puck\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puckandmary.com\/blog_puck\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puckandmary.com\/blog_puck\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}