Cavatione at the Debole (Point) – Practice

Immediate Practice

5 minutes – Practice the cavatione sotto (disengage under) from the inside and outside.

• Have your partner find your sword with a crossing only in the debole.
• Try to make your disengagement by simply dropping your point and lifting it back up, instead of making a circle.
• Drop the point while stepping back, lift it before stepping forward.
• Practice on the inside and outside. You can easily take turns with your partner in this drill.

5 minutes – Practice the cavatione sopra (disengage over) from the inside and outside.

• Have your partner find your sword with a crossing only in the debole.
• Keep your disengagement over the point of the sword as tight to the point as possible.
• Be sure to turn your edge while you re-find the advantages.
• Lift your point while stepping back, drop your point before stepping forward.
• Practice on the inside and outside. You can easily take turns with your partner in this drill.
• You can also switch between practicing under and over.

Ongoing Practice

• Building precise and quick cavatione is essential to good sword work in gioco stretto. Make this type of practice a regular part of your weekly routine.
• Cavatione can easily be practiced as a solo drill by supporting a dowel on a table or from a stand. You can then practice your disengagements under and over its extended end.
  • Practicing moving your point around a door knob can also be an excellent way to build the dexterity of this maneuver.