In the last post, we looked at fifth ward vs. half-shield. From fifth ward, either a descending strike can be made, or a thrust. The thrust passes through sixth ward. Therefore, the play of sixth ward vs. half-shield is identical to the play of fifth ward vs. half-shield.
Rather than copy-paste the text from the last post, I will instead talk more generally about sixth ward. The reader should read fifth ward vs. half-shield and apply this to sixth ward.
The plays of fifth ward and sixth ward are very important, because in HEMA many people who practice sword and buckler (particularly the Bolognese style) use something like sixth ward a lot of the time.
Sith ward
Sixth ward is a position where the sword is held point forwards, roughly at the chest.
However, you cannot control how your opponent holds the sword, therefore remember that 'sixth ward' is a designation you are giving to your opponent's position. There are other 'point forward' positions in other fencing systems that do not perfectly fit the illustration, e.g.:
What are the defining characteristics of 'sixth ward'?
The point is forward, threatening a thrust. In fact, only a thrust can be made without first moving the blade into another ward.
The blade is retracted, perhaps completely behind the buckler.
You cannot form a bind on sixth ward's sword, either under or below. This is either because their sword is behind their buckler, their point is not close enough to you, and/or their sword is too low or high.
If any of these characteristics are not met, then your opponent is probably in second ward, longpoint or something else (from an i.33 point of view). You should be able to deal with them in the same way you would these other wards.
However, if you decide they are in sixth-ward, then beware...
What can they do from sixth ward?
They can thrust. They can also transition to another ward and strike. A strike to the left leg is common in practice, but not shown in i.33.
Of the thrust, there are four types: the top left, bottom left, top right (the Stichslach) and bottom right (a low Stichslach?).
When in half-shield, your buckler generally protects you against a thrust to your bottom left, therefore this is less common.
I.33 suggests that the Stichslach is the most common thrust. However, from experience, this is unlikely to be the case unless you actively encourage your opponent to thrust to the right (which you should!).
The play in i.33 is very short, consisting of just two images (below). This shows the priest in sixth ward, and he is besieged by the scholar in half-shield. As discussed in fifth ward vs. half-shield, I believe the scholar is turned a little to his left, facing the priest's right shoulder, and exposing the scholar's right side slightly (creating a tempting target for the priest). This basically cuts off the left-side thrusts and encourages the priest to make a Stichslach to the scholar's right side, which he fails to defend against in the book.
How to defend against sixth ward?
Option 1: Draw them out into longpoint: Essentially, you need to force the opponent to thrust into longpoint, and you need to defend against the thrust when it comes.
Option 2: Circle left: Alternatively, you need to circle to the right-hand side of the opponent (so circle left) until your opponent's sword-tip is pointing off to your right, at which point you can attempt to close and bind over or under their sword. This is not shown in i.33. However, the result is similar to option 1 - you are trying to get the opponent's sword on your right-hand side.
I.33 doesn't show the defence for sixth ward, but does show two defences for fifth ward (which passes through sixth ward during a thrust). Therefore, the full play of sixth ward vs. half-shield is found by following the play of fifth ward vs. half-shield, however the defender starts in sixth ward instead of fifth ward.
How well does it work in practice?
During sparring, this method of drawing the opponent out of sixth ward seems to work quite well; but be mindful that your sword hand can be a bit exposed when in half-shield, and you may want to position the buckler a little differently to protect your sword hand more.
Videos
I.33 - Halpshilt vs Sesta custodia (Pectori) - YouTube - this is an excellent video from Federico Malagutti which shows option 1.
I.33 Basics: 3 Ways to parry Thrusts - YouTube - another one from Federico, this time showing option 1, option 2, and a third option. Note, after option 2, a shield-knock and Nucken is being made, not a stichslach, which demonstrates that the options provided in i.33 are not the only options available.
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