Dusack, Chapter 6: Counterattacks (Versetzen)

[1] About counteraction and how all cuts are divided into three parts, that is, the Provoker, Taker, and Hitter

Chapter 6

The stances and cuts, and also the openings, at which the cuts are directed, have been explained at length. It is insufficient that you learned previously how you can cut the cuts nobly and long in front toward your enemy. Instead, it is also necessary that you can at least rebuff and counteract those cuts that are cut at you by your counterpart. Therefore, although I wrote in general in the Sword [Section] about counteracting, necessity demands that I deal somewhat more clearly and technically about counterpostures in the Dusack [Section] than about the other primary techniques of fencing. Therefore, it is to be noted that the counterposture is preferably of two kinds: namely, one from above, the second from below.

From the first, which comes from the High Cut, the stance originates which is called the Slice or also the Simple Brace. The second counterposture comes from the Low Cut, from which the Arch finds its origin. These two counterpostures are each completed in two ways: firstly, by catching or opposing the strike; secondly by cutting away. Catching is nothing other than that you oppose and stop your counterpart’s strikes with the counterposture, whether using the Arch through the Low Cut or with the Simple Brace through or from the High Cut.

You should not understand this counterposture [to mean projecting forward] as some have the habit of doing—namely, that they simply hold their weapon and let it be struck. Instead, if you want to receive their strike and counteract it, you should rise upward from below with extended arm, with your counterposture counter to their High Cut in the air—because the higher you catch their cut in the air, the more you weaken it, and you can apply your cut in response both more fruitfully and you can also complete it in greater safety.

[2] Likewise, if you want to counteract the Low Cuts, you should move opposite the cuts from above and drop down on them with arms extended. These counterpostures both end in Longpoint, namely like this: if an opponent cuts at you from below or across, drop down on them with a Simple Brace. Take note: in that moment in which it touches or beats, turn your point with a step outward from their cut into their face. If they cut from above: catch them from below in Arch. In that moment in which the dusacks beat together, shove your front end forward into their chest. This is sometimes called the Stork’s Beak.

[3] The other type of counteracting occurs with simultaneous cuts, as one cut is then countered by the other. You should take note, however, that in this case the cut in the After always counters the lower cut, like this: in that moment in which they cut in, cut simultaneously with them. With this simultaneous cut, leap well out of their cut to the side so that their dusack arrives below and yours above when they touch together. This was the purpose of the step, that they thus arrive below in the cut in the Before and you arrive above in the cut in the After.

[4] You can also counter their High Cut with your Low Cut. Namely, in that moment in which their cut flies in: step to the side out of their strike. Cut powerfully through, upward and opposite their High Cut. Even though the Low Cut is weak against the High Cut, the Low Cut is sufficiently reinforced by the step to ward off. Thus, one strike always counters the other (as was mentioned previously). The High Cut counters all other cuts, as you will subsequently hear in the Watchtower.

[5] So that you can understand these things better, I want to distinguish the cuts into three usages. Firstly, they are used to provoke, secondly to take or counteract, thirdly to hit.

Those cuts with which I infuriate and goad an opponent to move out of their advantage and to cut, these I call Provokers.

Those cuts with which I cut away and ward off their cuts (to which I have infuriated and moved them), these I call Takers.

Those cuts which I cut quickly to the closest opening (as the third [strike] after I have first provoked them to cut and secondly taken that strike to which I have moved them), and before they recover themselves back from their strike (which I have taken), these I call Hitters.

[6] In the Onset, when your counterpart rests in a stance, guard, or counterposture and doesn’t want to hit and you ought not cut at an opening while they are in their advantage, do this: extend yourself long in front of them and cut through—with one cut, two, three—In front of them and toward their openings or through their counteraction, for example, with seriously angry body language, [acting] as if you had overcommitted in your cutting.

Take diligent note during this: as soon as they lift and cut in, step to the side out from their cut and cut their cut away from you with a powerful cut. If they are not sufficiently weakened with one [cut], execute it with two or three cuts cross-wise and away from you through their dusack for a long as it takes for you to feel that they are sufficiently weakened. Immediately and before they regain their strength again or rise up or recover: cut at the closest opening, and from the opening be quickly back on their dusack (whether with binds or with cuts).

If they stand before you in a guard so that you cannot cut through their counterposture, or they execute their counterposture so that you don’t trust yourself to carry out your first provoking cut at the opening without injury, pay attention or take note that you cut through as quickly with the second strike to or toward their weapon (the closer to their hand the better) with one or two strikes opposite one another according to opportunity.

[7] Furthermore, you should also know and take note that you should always alternate between the three cuts, so that sometimes the first, now the second, then the third is a Provoker, Taker, or a Hitter.

[8] Therefore, if you can hit with the first, you should use the second for a counterposture. However, if you hit with the second, counteract with the third. Because if you want to fence safely with those weapons that are used in one hand, you should accustom yourself to always executing three cuts quickly, one after the other. It doesn’t have to be one kind of cut, but instead it should be distributed among and change between the High, Middle, and Low so that of the three, one is always a Hitter (namely, the first, the second, or the third). Because the same examples will occur in the subsequent sequences, I will remind you of this then.