Edged Weaponry: General Use Terms

Attacker

(also called Aggressor) The actor/combatant who initiates the offensive action or attack

Center Line

An imaginary line that bisects the body

Horizontal Center Line

(also called Mid Line) The imaginary line that bisects the body horizontally at
waist level delineating High Line and Low Line

Vertical Center Line

The imaginary line that bisects the body vertically through the center delineating
Inside Line and Outside Line

Cue

A physical action or event that is a signal for someone to do something

Cue-Reaction-Action

A basic stage combat principle/process used to achieve a safe and dramatically
effective sequence of events

Distance

(also called Measure, Fighting Measure, and/or Fencing Measure) The proper measure between
two or more combatants to safely execute any particular technique in stage combat

En Garde

The basic physical "ready" position of a combatant

Eye Contact

A look to one's partner to assure mutual awareness and readiness to perform the techniques

Hand positions: Pronation

The palm is turned down

Hand positions: Supination

The palm is turned up

Lines of Attack or Defense

The areas delineated by the intersection of the Vertical Center Line and the Horizontal Center Line based on the position of the weapon bearing hand - there are 4 primary lines: High Inside, High Outside, Low Inside, Low Outside

High Line

The area of attack and defense located above the Horizontal Center Line

Inside Line

The area of attack and defense located opposite of the weapon bearing side, delineated by the
Vertical Center Line

Low Line

The area of attack and defense located below the Horizontal Center Line

Outside Line

The area of attack and defense located on the weapon bearing side, delineated by the
Vertical Center Line

Closed line of attack

(also called Covered) Said of a line of attack, when the defender's weapon placement prevents an attack to that particular line

Off-Line

a.) Any offensive action that is directed to a target away from the body.
b.) The relationship of combatants' bodies when their Vertical Center Lines are offset.

On-Line

a.) Any offensive action that is directed to a target on the body.
b.) The relationship of combatants' bodies when their Vertical Center Lines and shoulders are lined up (also Stacked).

Partnering

A process in which two or more combatants work together to perform theatrical combat
techniques safely and effectively

Victim

The actor/combatant who receives the offensive action or attack (also called Defender or Recipient)

Attacker

(also called Aggressor) The actor/combatant who initiates the offensive action or attack

Center Line

An imaginary line that bisects the body

Horizontal Center Line

(also called Mid Line) The imaginary line that bisects the body horizontally at
waist level delineating High Line and Low Line

Vertical Center Line

The imaginary line that bisects the body vertically through the center delineating
Inside Line and Outside Line

Cue

A physical action or event that is a signal for someone to do something

Cue-Reaction-Action

A basic stage combat principle/process used to achieve a safe and dramatically
effective sequence of events

Distance

(also called Measure, Fighting Measure, and/or Fencing Measure) The proper measure between
two or more combatants to safely execute any particular technique in stage combat

En Garde

The basic physical "ready" position of a combatant

Eye Contact

A look to one's partner to assure mutual awareness and readiness to perform the techniques

Hand positions: Pronation

The palm is turned down

Hand positions: Supination

The palm is turned up

Lines of Attack or Defense

The areas delineated by the intersection of the Vertical Center Line and the Horizontal Center Line based on the position of the weapon bearing hand - there are 4 primary lines: High Inside, High Outside, Low Inside, Low Outside

High Line

The area of attack and defense located above the Horizontal Center Line

Inside Line

The area of attack and defense located opposite of the weapon bearing side, delineated by the
Vertical Center Line

Low Line

The area of attack and defense located below the Horizontal Center Line

Outside Line

The area of attack and defense located on the weapon bearing side, delineated by the
Vertical Center Line

Closed line of attack

(also called Covered) Said of a line of attack, when the defender's weapon placement prevents an attack to that particular line

Off-Line

a.) Any offensive action that is directed to a target away from the body.
b.) The relationship of combatants' bodies when their Vertical Center Lines are offset.

On-Line

a.) Any offensive action that is directed to a target on the body.
b.) The relationship of combatants' bodies when their Vertical Center Lines and shoulders are lined up (also Stacked).

Partnering

A process in which two or more combatants work together to perform theatrical combat
techniques safely and effectively

Victim

The actor/combatant who receives the offensive action or attack (also called Defender or Recipient)