Pair exercises

Rhythmic exercises

Performed without movement and aim to verify basic attack and defense techniques in contact:

1. Vertical two-count — a vertical attack and a block with the sword held horizontally; swap roles.
2. Horizontal two-count — two high horizontal attacks and two defenses; swap roles.
3. Three-count — a vertical attack, a high horizontal attack, and a low horizontal attack; swap roles.
4. Three by two — two high horizontal attacks followed by one low attack; alternate side.
5. Four blocks — four upper / four lower / two lower + two upper blocks.

Predefined techniques

Isolated techniques performed with a basic footwork:

1. Predefined attack on a signal/opening.
2. Counter-actions on a predefined attack.

Extended information is available to registered club members.

Sword + footwork sync

1. Moving while maintaining distance, without attacks.
2. Parry on every step backward.
3. Free riposte with one or two attacks.
4. Clean riposte — partners alternate ripostes and movement.
5. Two against one and four against two — alternating attacks from different sides.
6. Circle — one participant stands in the center while a randomly selected partner attacks with an agreed sequence.

Full contact (require protective gear)

1. The attacker chooses one of two predefined attacks, while the defender recognizes it and applies the appropriate defense.
2. The attacker either completes the initial attack or uses it as a feint and changes to another line.
3. Free movement along the line and an attack (or feint + attack) at the partner’s signal.
4. Attack (or feint + attack) and corresponding counteraction from the defender.

Extended information is available to registered club members.

1. Three parries with retreat followed by one riposte with advancing movement.
2. Three parries and three attacks without reversing the direction of movement.

Extended information is available to registered club members.

1. Free circle — one participant stands in the center while a randomly selected partner attacks; the participant chooses to attack into preparation, or parry and riposte.

Extended information is available to registered club members.

1. Forms (formal sequences, kata) — structure, coordination, memory.
2. Choreographed duels — expressiveness, coordination, memory.
3. The “Flow of the Force” form — fluidity and intuition.
4. The “Sticky Sword” form — bind, fluidity and blade control.
5. Bind exercises — predefined sequences according to the partner’s blade pressure in the bind.

Extended information is available to registered club members.

Full contact (require protective gear)

1. Constrained sparring — short rounds with a single objective.
2. Technical (controlled) sparring — practicing at reduced speed to refine execution.
3. Point-based sparring — adaptation and initiative control.
4. Survival sparring — pressure test and gaps identification.

The instructor determines admission to free sparring based on the practitioner’s technical readiness, knowledge of the rules and safety procedures, and possession of the required protective equipment.