Stage Combat Midterm

Active Hand

The non‐weapon bearing hand used to block, check, lock, parry, strike, or trap the opposing weapon or parts of a partner’s body.

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.

Pronation

The palm is turned down.

Supination

The palm is turned up.

Half Supination

The thumb is up, palm inward.

Inverted Half Supination

The thumb is down, palm outward.

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)

Avoidance

To dodge an attack.

Block

A defensive action intended to stop a punch, kick or similar attack, usually made with the hand or arm. A block can be made on either side of the body and in all lines. These may be as follows:

Check

the defender places a hand (usually the Active Hand) on the aggressors attacking limb to control the movement of that limb. It does not stop the movement of the aggressor’s limb, i.e. Transport, Bind, Envelop.

Cross Block (also called X Block)

both hands/arms are used together. They are crossed at the forearms, the one over the other, catching the attacking limb where the forearms meet between the hands.

Descending Block

hands move downward to defend against an ascending diagonal or vertical attack.

Forearm Block

a block made with the inside or outside of the forearm, avoiding bone and joints.

Inside Block

made on the opposite side of the body from the defending hand and/or arm.

Outside Block

made on the same side of the body as the defending hand and/or arm.

Parallel Block (also called Double Block)

the defender’s hands/arms placed one beside the other. The arms are not crossed.

Redirection Block

the hand or arm intercepts the attack and then immediately displaces or removes the attack.

Rising Block

the hands move upward to defend against a descending diagonal or vertical attack.

Transfer Block (also called Replacement Block)

uses both hands/arms, one after the other, to deflect and control the attack, freeing the first hand for a counter attack.

Wing Block

A defensive action made with the muscle groupings of the upper arm. The arm is bent, taking the attack on the back of the forearm and outside of the upper arm.

Break Fall

Any maneuver that dissipates the energy or force from a fall or roll, giving the illusion of impact.

Choke Hold (also called Strangle)

Any grasp or hold on the area of the throat made with the hand(s) or limb that gives the impression of strangling the victim.

Contact Strike

Any offensive action that strikes the body of the receiver.

Duck

The vertical lowering of the head and torso to avoid an attack at the head.

Elbow Attack

An offensive technique made to look as though striking with the elbow.

Expulsion

Using the energy and movement of a Check to throw or fling the opposing arm and/or weapon aside.

Fall

Any technique that allows a combatant to safely drop from a standing or elevated position to the floor, landing on some part of the body other than the feet.

Feint Attack

An attacking action made without intending to hit and designed to draw a reaction or a parry from an opponent.

Flip

An offensive movement that controls the victim's center, lifting them off their feet and taking them to the ground.

Grappling (also called Struggling)

using body weight, grips, and leverage to control one’s opponent while in extremely tight distance.

Hair Pull

A grasp with one or both hands in which the victim’s hair appears to be clasped in the fingers.

Kick

Any offensive striking technique made with the leg/foot. May include:

Ax Kick

travels downward, would impact with the heel.

Back Kick

travels directly backwards.

Crescent Kick

travels in a semicircular arcing path that would impact with the edge of the foot.

Front Kick

travels directly forward would impact with the ball or heel of the foot.

Heel Hook Kick

a kick traveling in a circular path, generally executed in a horizontal plane that would impact with the heel or sole of the foot.

Roundhouse Kick

travels in a circular path from a chambered position of the knee, generally executed in a horizontal plane, impacts with the top of the foot.

Side Kick

travels out from the side of the body that would impact with the heel or edge of the foot.

Snap Kick

travels forward in a quick in and out action from a chambered position of the leg.

Knap

A technique for creating the sound of impact of a strike.

Body Knap (also called Self Knap)

A percussive sound made by striking a major muscle group on the body.

Cage Knap

A percussive sound made by physically connecting with their partner’s crossed and slightly cupped hands.

Clap Knap

A percussive sound made when one combatant claps their hands together.

Shared Knap (also called Partnered Knap)

A percussive sound requiring participation of both combatants, could be hand to hand or hand to body.

Slip‐Hand Knap

A percussive sound made by allowing the punching hand to open, as it meets the non‐punching hand, returning to a fist as it slides through.

Knee Attack

An offensive technique made to look as though it strikes with the knee.

Lock

to immobilize your partner at their joints.

Non‐Contact Strike

Any offensive action that creates the appearance of contact with the intended target on the body of the receiver.

Punch

Any offensive striking technique made with a fist. May include, but are not limited to:

Back Fist

Made with the back of the hand.

Cross

Travels across the attacker’s center line from either right to left, or left to right.

Hammer Punch

An attack made with the blade side of a closed hand. Can be done with one or two hands.

Hook

Delivered with the arm, fist in half supination, elbow bent at 90 degrees.

Jab

Linear in‐and‐out action, delivered from the leading hand.

Rabbit Punch

A sharp, chopping delivery downward with the edge of the fist in a diagonal plane (often to the back of the neck).

Roundhouse Punch (also called Hay Maker Punch)

A large, dynamic wide arc from either right to left, or left to right.

Stomach Punch

Delivered towards the abdomen of the victim, may be either contact or non‐contact.

Straight Punch

Linear, delivered from the rear or back shoulder and foot.

Uppercut

A punch delivered with a bent arm in an upward motion.

Roll

Any technique in which the body is safely turned on the floor. May be executed forward, backward, or sideways.

Barrel Roll

Sideways, body fully extended

Dive Roll

Taking air before committing the shoulder roll

Grapple roll

Two‐person barrel roll or two‐person shoulder roll

Shoulder roll

On a diagonal from one shoulder to the opposite buttock (forward shoulder roll), or rolling from one buttock to the opposite shoulder (backward shoulder roll).

Slap

A strike delivered with an open hand.

Throw

A move in which the defender is propelled to the ground.

Trap

Any technique that immobilizes an opponent’s limb(s) and/or weapon(s) to effect an attack or disarm.

Butt End

The trailing end of the staff in the En Garde position.

Fore End

The leading end of the staff in the En Garde position.

Long Form

The hand placement that utilizes the full length of the quarterstaff for attack and defense; grip holding from the lower third to the butt end.

Middle

The central third of the staff.

Short Form

A hand placement that divides the quarterstaff into three equal sections. Close quarters fighting.

Advance

Linear footwork that carries the body forward by moving the lead foot first, followed by the rear foot (without crossing them). (also called Fencing Step).

Balestra

A compound piece of linear footwork carrying the body forward by executing a jump and a lunge in quick succession.

Cross Step

The moving foot crosses in front of the stationary foot.

Demi‐Volte

a volte turning the hips 90 degrees in relation to the attack.

Grande Volte

a volte turning the hips 180 degrees in relation to the attack.

Lunge

The ‘extended’ leg position used as a method to ‘reach’ the partner on an attack. The leading leg extends in a long step, while the back leg straightens and the back foot stays in place. (An offensive action)

Pass Step

The placing of the moving foot ahead or to the rear of the stationary foot without crossing the centerline (a walking step).

Patinando

A compound piece of linear footwork carrying the body forward by executing an advance and a lunge in quick succession.

Pivot

The adjustment of the hips, feet and body to face a new direction.

Retreat

Linear footwork carrying the body backwards by moving the rear foot first, followed by the lead foot (without crossing them).