Dynamic Targets – Practice

Immediate Practice

If you do not have a partner, this practice can be done by setting up targets around you on different platforms or suspending tennis balls or cards from strings.

• 10 minutes – Stationary Dynamic Target
  • With your partner fixed in place practice continual striking for 20 blows. Your partner should change the targets each time they are touched. Practice 3 sets of 20 per hand.
  • Practice moving smoothly with proper timing of hand and foot.
  • Keep control and ensure that you keep your partner’s hands and body safe (striking softly).
  • Manage your measure in relation to the targets. Remember that you can intentionally miss, allowing you to approach a target from a different angle.
  • Ensure that you incorporate thrusting targets as well as cutting targets.
• 10 minutes – Moving Dynamic Target
  • Practice the above drill while having your partner move. For added safety you can have your partner where a fencing mask and jacket. Their safety is your primary concern and it is best provided through control.
  • Practice 3 sets of 20 per hand.
  • Allow yourself to miss if a target moves away while you are striking. Keeping good posture and flow is more important than hitting every target by overreaching.
  • Have your partner repeat targets and combinations that are particularly challenging.
• 10 minutes – Cutting to and through
  • Add a buckler or focus pad to the exercise. This target allows you to cut through without injuring your partner.
  • Safety note: Ensure that when you are cutting through one target that you don’t strike your partner’s other hand on the other side.
  • Remember that the timing of hand and foot is different when you are cutting to a target rather than through it:
    • To the target – Your sword hits the target as your foot lands.
    • Through the target – Your foot is in the air while you are passing through the target. Sword and foot conclude together in a guard on the other side of the target. This could be a larga or stretta guard (for example) depending on how powerfully you are cutting.

Ongoing Practice

• This type of dynamic moving practice is an excellent training tool for flow and mechanics.
• Challenging yourself to perceive and adapt to targets while both you and they are moving is tremendously valuable practice.
• Incorporate a buckler into your practice for extra challenge.
• Incorporate wrist, shoulder, and elbow cuts as well as double cuts from the same side to bring in all aspects of these lessons.