Line of Attack

Definition

An imaginary line that a weapon travels along from its resting position in guard to the opponent with the objective of delivering a wound.

Different lines of attack are generally categorized into 4 areas: high inside, high outside, low inside, and low outside.

Classification

Assuming an opponent holding their weapon in their right hand or with their right hand leading:

• Inside: To the right of the opponent's sword.
• Outside: To the left of the opponent's sword.
• High: Above the opponent's sword guard or handle.
• Low: Below the opponent's sword guard or handle.

When two weapons cross, their position in space can be denoted through inside/outside and high/low as in "place your sword high on the outside of your opponent's", or "deliver an attack on a low inside line."

Note: When facing an opponent who has withdrawn their sword behind their body, for example in Marozzo's High Guard or Fiore's Position of the Woman it can be useful to divide the lines of attack by the opponent's waist with high above, and low below, and the center line of the opponent's body, with inside to your right and outside to your left.

Other Terminology

• On-line: In the case of a thrusting weapon, to have the point of your weapon aligned in such a way that it will strike your opponent through a thrust on a straight line forward. i.e. Your point is within the silhouette of your opponent's body.
• Off-line: In the case of a thrusting weapon, to have the point of your weapon aligned in such a way that it must first be reoriented before making a thrust to the opponent. i.e. Your point is not-within the silhouette of your opponent's body.