From the wards, we generate attacks. The wards influence the attacks we can make, but it is perhaps more accurate to say that the wards stem from the attacks and not the other way around. This is because there are only so many ways we can cut or thrust around a buckler, purely due to anatomy. Secondly, we must cut around the buckler because we can't cut through it. Lastly, we cannot pass our sword arm through our buckler arm. This generates nine attacks split into three categories.
Some people argue that i33 doesn't contain any strikes, however I don't believe that and that doesn't help us if our opponent is striking at us!
As a basic approach, attacks start from one of the wards, and they end in something like longpoint pointing somewhat at the opponent. Along the way they pass through one of the counter wards. For example, a basic attack would be from second or third ward to longpoint, passing through a counter ward called halpschilt (halfshield). The cut could be made straight down, diagonally to the left or diagonally to the right.
During the cut, the sword hand generally passes close to the buckler, so that the buckler provides protection to the sword hand, however this is not a necessity. The sword hand never passes in front of the buckler (except when we have control of their sword). The buckler may be moved out of the way to facilitate the attack, but also to provide cover from the opponent's potential attack.
In reality you do not need to start attacks from a ward. They can often be started from a counter ward. When you practice the cuts you can do this by cutting to longpoint, and then starting the next cut from longpoint itself rather than bringing your sword hand fully all the way back to another ward, but it will at least approach the ward.
The attacks are these:
(Note that below I have used the 'counter ward' positions in i33 to represent the attacks. Attacks generally pass through counter wards, so this makes sense.)
3.1 Oberhau (or an attack through halpschilt)
An oberhau is an attack downwards and passes through the counter ward position of halpschilt (halfshield). It is typically aimed to the opponent's head, or diagonally to the left or right side of the opponent's head, and is made to the right side of your buckler. Like all cuts, it ends in an extended position called longpoint.
You can perform this attack from second ward, third ward and fourth ward. As with all these cuts, you step to the side so that your cut and your buckler are between you and your opponent, covering your left or right sides.
3.1.1 Oberschilt (over shield)
I had to invent this name as it is unnamed in i33 and is simply said to be like 'halpschilt' but with the buckler passed over the sword hand. From first ward, lift the point upwards so that you make a diagonal cut from above-left down to the right side of the opponent's face. As you do this, your buckler will be crossed over your sword hand and on the right side of the sword. The image below is not really Oberschilt but it looks like it, except the cut should be to the right side of the face, not the left.
3.2 Mittelhau (middle cut)
This is a horizontal or nearly horizontal strike to the side of the opponent's face. When made in opposition, your buckler will be between you and your opponent, and your cut will end somewhat above or below your buckler, but with your buckler still providing cover. This is what I believe this image could be representing. The image lacks perspective: the cut isn't coming from above, it is coming from the right.
When you cut a mittelhau from the left from third ward, your buckler will be on the right side of your sword hand when the cut is completed, sword arm crossed over buckler arm. The below lacks perspective: the cut is not coming from below, it is coming from the left side.
A mittelhau can also be made from first ward under your buckler.
3.3 Unterhau (cut through Krucke (Crutch))
An unterhau is a rising diagonal cut, and from it the counter ward of Krucke is born.
It is performed from first ward and easily transitions into a low thrust. An unterhau from the right can also be made from fifth ward.
The image below is confusing, but it is in false perspective. It is a rising or horizontal cut from the left side made underneath the buckler. It could deliver a cut to the arm, a cut to the leg, and the low mittelhau is similar.
3.4 Other cutting attacks
Variations of these attacks could be made. You could also perform a false edge cut over your buckler, which may be explored in due course.
However, I believe the above cuts give you plenty of options and are all readily doable with a sword and buckler. They allow you to cut in seven directions from the following clock positions:
4 o'clock
3 o'clock
1 o'clock
12 o'clock
11 o'clock
9 o'clock
7 o'clock
Exercise: Perform the cuts from the wards. Try to perform all cuts, then try to flow the cuts together. Notice how you need to pass under and over your buckler as you cut from left to right and back again.
3.5 Thrusts
Logically there are four thrusts you can perform with a sword and buckler:
High thrust: a thrust made above your buckler aimed at the face. Similar to an Imbrocatta in rapier.
Straight thrust: a thrust made on the right side of your buckler, aimed at the face or body.
Low thrust: a thrust made underneath your buckler aimed at the body (or deceptively aimed at the face).
Stichsclach (or knocking thrust): a thrust made on the left side of your buckler, with the buckler hand passed over the sword hand, and rotated to have the thumb pointing down. Aimed at the face or body.
These are not exact positions and clearly a thrust can be made over the top right corner of the buckler, the bottom left corner, etc.
Thrusts can be made from various wards, most notably first ward, fifth ward and sixth ward, and they end in a variation of longpoint.
Exercise: Perform the thrusts. Try performing them from first ward, sixth ward, fifth ward, longpoint, and Priests Special Longpoint. Notice how a mittelhau from the left over the buckler naturally turns into a high thrust. Notice how a mittelhau from the left under the buckler can be turned into a Stichsclach. Practice the Stichslach in particular, as i33 loves to use this thrust.
3.7 Footwork and distance
Footwork is important in all aspects of fencing. It is not my intention to use this interpretation to teach the fundamentals of fencing, although I need to write something about footwork and of distance.
3.7.1 Footwork basics
There are two broad types of footwork: the passing step and the gathering step. The passing step is a normal step as if you were walking, where the foot that was behind is now in front. A gathering step is where you take a step forwards or backwards while keeping the same foot in front. This type of footwork is common to most systems of fencing, and is no different in i33.
3.7.2 Distance
Distance (or measure) is denoted by the number of steps you need to take to hit your opponent. There are usually three main measures:
Out of measure, where you need to take at least two steps to hit your opponent.
In measure, where you need to take one step to hit your opponent.
Close measure, where you can hit your opponent without taking any steps forward.
These distances therefore denote the number of actions you need to take to hit your opponent (assuming they were completely uncovered), and thus the amount of time it will take to hit your opponent. More time equals more opportunity for your opponent to react to your attack, but likewise stepping in too close before you start your attack gives your opponent an opportunity to attack you first.
Out of measure requires at least two actions to hit your opponent, and more if you are even further away. This means they have lots of time to react to you.
In measure require one action to attack your opponent – an attack made with a step. This is quicker, but still provides some time for your opponent to react.
Close measure also requires one action to attack your opponent but, because it does not require a step, this is a much shorter action. If we assume that all actions are done at the same speed, the shorter distance simply means this action takes much less time. Your opponent has very little opportunity to react to an attack made at close measure, but as noted above the act of getting into close measure gives your opponent an opportunity to attack before you do.
Managing your distance through footwork is vital. Your goal is to ensure you are at the right distance to give yourself time to react to your opponent's attack, and to get in close enough to perform your own attack. This takes lots of practice.
3.7.3 How to make a basic attack
Attacks can be made with or without a step. When starting the attack in your ward, if your sword is on your left then your right foot is forwards, and if your sword is on your right then your left foot is forwards. As you perform the cut or thrust you either stand your ground or you step with the cut so that as the sword cuts to your left side you pass forwards with your right foot, or as the cut goes to your right side you pass forwards with your left foot. Thrusts are performed in the same way.
When making the attack it is not a good idea to step directly forwards, but rather you should step diagonally off to the side of your opponent.
When making the attack, try to make it so that your sword hand meets your buckler hand. The two do not need to touch, but they can do. The aim is to use your buckler to provide cover for your sword hand.
Once you have mastered performing the attacks as above, try performing the cuts with the opposite footwork, and using gathering steps, i.e. cutting from left to right or vice versa but keeping the same foot forwards. Because sword and buckler fencing often has your body square on to the opponent, i.e. your shoulders are both the same distance from the opponent (simply because this allows your sword hand and buckler hand to reach out to the same distance), in time it is possible to divorce (to an extent) what your upper body is doing from what your lower body is doing.
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