Cooperative Drill: The Beat and the Expulsion (07-October-06)

Description
Although Fabris discourages the use of the Beat, he describes its execution; Capoferro also uses the Beat in a few of his plates. However, for the Baroque Sword, the Beat (and its close relative, the Expulsion) is a foundational technique. Start with the Expulsion. Both fencers stand in measure with their blades at parity. The Attacker engages his opponent's sword, and then performs the Expulsion--ensuring that there is no preparation (such as by raising the blade). In the tempo that his opponent's blade is falling from the Expulsion, the Attacker extends his sword and lunges (while maintaining good opposition). When the Attacker is able to consistently perform a proper Expulsion, he should practice the Beat, which is identical except that it starts from a position of no blade contact. You will likely notice that the Expulsion and Beat for each line has a unique character and feeling.

Prerequisites
The lunge and the engagement.

Goal
The Attacker should master the mechanics of the Beat and the Expulsion.

Notes
The precise mechanics of the beat are not described for the rapier by many masters. However, Marcelli tells us to use the middle of the blade against the debole of the opponent's blade and make a grazing "cut" on the opponent's blade to force it aside. The difference between the Beat and the Expulsion is the relative position of the baldes at the beginning of the action: you execute an Expulsion from your engagement (the blades start in contact). Since the Beat and the Expulsion in this drill are performed from within measure, the Attacker can accompany the beat with a stomp of the forward foot (i.e. an Appel) as described by Marcelli. This will add power to the technique, and it also has the added advantage of ensuring that the lunge does not begin until the Beat or Expulsion has been completed.

Variations
Once the Attacker has mastered the Beat and the Expulsion, he should begin from one step out of measure. From this distance, he will perform the Beat (or Expulsion) with an advance of the front foot. Then, he will immediately finish the advance by drawing his rear foot forward by the same amount as the front foot, and finish the technique with a lunge (Marcelli states taht this is the ideal method of performing the Beat).

List of Drills