Stance

The stance for Sword & Buckler is:

  • Feet shoulder width apart left/right
  • Feet shoulder width apart front/back
  • Front foot facing forwards, Rear foot turned 45º
  • Hips & Shoulders square
  • Feet flat on the ground, but weight on the balls of the feet
  • Weight split ~ 60:40 between front and rear feet
  • Knees bent

Passing Steps

In passing footwork, you switch which foot is forwards with each step. This covers ground quicker, but (as we’ll see when we get to guards), may mean you need to change guard as you step.

  • Rear foot steps forwards in front of front foot
  • New rear foot pivots 45º

Make sure the front foot lands pointing forwards

Make sure the feet stay shoulder width apart left/right and front/back

Gathering Footwork

Gathering footwork keeps the same foot forwards as you step. This maintains your guard, and the gathering step (bringing the rear leg forwards) can disguise your change in measure (distance). It is also less committed than a passing step, so easier to reverse or change direction if your opponent moves.

Forwards:

  • Rear foot advances next to front foot
  • Front foot steps forwards to move your body forwards and re-establish your stance

Make sure the feet stay shoulder width apart left/right and front/back

Backwards:

  • Front foot moves back to rear foot, moving your body backwards
  • Rear foot moves backwards to re-establish your stance

Oblique (sideways / lateral) steps

Oblique steps keep the same foot forwards.

Moving right:

  • Step right with your right foot
  • Left foot steps right to re-establish your stance

Moving left:

  • Step left with your left foot
  • Right foot steps left to re-establish your stance

Compass (turning) steps

Compass steps are the main way we change direction in Bolognese footwork.

They are typically done as part of an oblique or passing step.

Circling your opponent anti-clockwise:

  • Starting right foot forwards
  • Step right with your right foot
  • Pivot on your front foot, and swing your back foot round behind you
  • Re-establish your stance facing in the new direction

Circling your opponent clockwise:

  • Starting right foot forwards
  • Step forward and left with your Left foot
  • Pivot on your front foot, and swing your back foot round behind you
  • Re-establish your stance facing in the new direction