SINGLE-STICK

The single-stick is to the sword what the foil is to the rapier — a means for instruction and practice merely. In order to accustom the pupil to sharp practice with the sword it is necessary that he should have some independent practice with the single-stick.

The sticks to be used are about forty inches in length. The hand is protected by a strong hilt made of buffalo hide; the mask and leg pad are to be worn as in sword practice.

The same formation is used for the stick as the sword, and as the stick is the substitute for that weapon, no cut is to be considered fair that is not given with that part of the stick corresponding to the edge of the sword.

On coining to guard, the sticks should join with a sharp beat, the players lightly springing back out of hitting distance, and advancing cautiously within measure.

A Feint is made by menacing one part of your opponent's body, and when he answers by shifting his guard, to hit him in another. The feints used are termed simple and compound. For example:- The simple is, feint for the right cheek, and deliver the cut outside or inside the leg, on the pad; the compound, feint for the right cheek and outside of leg, and deliver the cut at right cheek. The feints may be multiplied at the pleasure or according to the skill of the players.

Do not attack till you see a good opening, and are sure of hitting; watch your opponent's wrist, do not look at his face. Do not retire if you can avoid it, unless with the design of causing your opponent to follow you; seize the opportunity when he moves his foot to advance upon you, to plant a hit either direct or with a feint, and above all do not allow your temper to be ruined on receiving a sharp hit on an uncovered part of the body.

The cuts with the stick are to be given lightly and swiftly, and the point to be frequently used. The best mode of delivering point is, when the stick touches your opponent, to relax the grasp and allow the stick to pass backwards through the hilt.

When both cut together, the cut delivered in the third position alone counts; each cut or point must be promptly acknowledged.

Source: The Boys Own Book: A Complete Encyclopaedia of Sports & Passtimes (Crosby Lockwood & Son, London. c1889)