Sections on Passing Footwork

from
Gründliche Abhandlung der Fechtkunst (​ 1796)
by
Karl Timlich

Translated from the German,

compiled,
and edited
by
Maximilian Schmitz

Translator’s Note
The following passages describe the use of the pallasch or sabre with passing footwork, both as solo
drill, and as a way to engage multiple opponents simultaneously. Apart from these techniques, which are a
hallmark of his book, the system of Karl Timlich functions on the same basic principles as that of
contemporary sources such as Roworth, Angelo, or Le Marchant. In this respect, these systems all share the
features of being back-weighted, having mostly linear footwork, primarily engaging the adversary in either the
outside or hanging guard (Timlich calls this ​Halbterz​ and ​Prim​, respectively), and codifying the cuts by a
numbered diagram.

Compared to the contemporary British systems previously mentioned, the cutting diagram in
Gründliche Abhandlung der Fechtkunst​ is arranged in a slightly different fashion. As seen in the figure above,
the cuts are differently numbered, and a cut travelling vertically from below is also present. In addition,
Timlich names the various motions of the fist in an unusual way. For example, one would normally recognize
the cut of ​Terz​ as directed horizontally from left to right with the nails downwards, while in Timlich it is the
name for a cut going straight down from above. For the sake of clarity, and to avoid unnecessary confusion, I
shall provide a legend showing Timlich’s cuts with their equivalents according to the British numbering
system.
 Cut 1 - half Quart
Cut 2 - half Terz
Cut 3 - half Prim
Cut 4 - half Sekond
Cut 5 - Quart
Cut 6 - Sekond
Cut 7 - Terz
Cut 8 - Prim

Of Attacking and Advancing on Foot, with Passing of the Feet

72.
The proper attacks against a single opponent ordinarily happen with a posture in half Terz, or Prim,
with the point directed the same, so one either strikes into the first best opening, or parries the cut of the
adversary, and ripostes according to the given rules, whereby one sets the right foot forward, and draws back
the left.
73.
If one wants to channel oneself a way through multiple opponents, and be swifter throughout, one
carries oneself thusly:
Since one must go offensively in that moment, one directs the blade in the Prim position, and moves
until upon the enemy. Immediately one begins to work with doubled cuts in Quart and Sekond, or half Quart
and half Terz. It is indeed of equal value, with which one begins. However, if for example one takes the
Sekond first, in which one makes the doubled cut, the left foot is thus set forth over the right; through which
one preserves the position to deliver far reaching cuts behind themselves, and to keep the rear unblocked. As
soon as one wants to change and use the Quart, one sets the right foot before the left again, and goes forth
therewith until one has reached their objective. One calls this passing.
Nevertheless one must not wholly bind oneself to this rule of alternation with Sekond and Quart,
rather, where it is required, add attritional cuts as the opportunity presents.
By these lessons one is with a practiced arm always in the position to protect oneself against three,
four, or even more unpracticed enemies, and to hold them off from all sides.

Remark
One performs this advancing in two ways, namely:
When one only has to hit before oneself, or before the front, the body is never turned during the
changing of the feet, if thusly turned this posture always comes out as well; rather it is always held with the
setting forth of the left foot, so that the right shoulder stays forward, and makes a line with the left, although
the the half Terz cuts are thereby much shortened in their extension. If one conversely has to hit fore- and
rearwards, then one turns the body at every changing of the feet, in order that one makes an equal front all
over, and holds the adversaries away from oneself.

122.
Of Advancing and Retiring on Foot, and Corresponding Cuts Therewith
For oneself to strengthen the arm, and acquire an ample reach, there is no better way than to deliver
various cuts attached to one another in the air, and at the same time to train oneself, so that one knows to set
forth or draw back the foot which is the suitable one for the cut, and whereby such cut is lengthened or made
more powerful.
123.
It is to note, that if, for example: the cut should go forth, the one in which the right shoulder is ahead
reaches itself the farthest about, and the one where it is back is the shorter. If the left foot is forward, I am far
more able to hit terz, especially to the side, and even better rearwards. Thus the left belongs to Terz, or half
Terz, and the right to Quart, or half Quart.
124.
If one wants to advance, and has not hit Quart first, one places the left foot, only so far as one can,
before the right, so that, as it first stood inward, now comes quite outward, and turns toward the left side, and
must itself always stay in its direction as the right, excluded, where one would want to turn himself wholly
around at the advancing of the feet, or passing, and bear the front about rearwards, where the feet are again
placed as they stood before the advance. In this time one brings the sword against the left shoulder, so that one
has a raising [of the arm], and then hits Terz. This cut must go wholly through, so afterwards the blade rests
over that shoulder according to which one has cut, in order that one always has a complete circle to hit; and all
following cuts must be made likewise.
Here one places the right foot forward and hits Quart wholly through, and so is it always alternated as
long as one advances. In retiring one carries himself the same, only in both lessons one must never hit earlier
than when the foot stands firm, as otherwise the cut does not have the proper force, and the arm is easily
exhausted, so that the whole body falls into a clumsy staggering, which can be very dangerous.
125.
There are two ways of advancing, namely where one drives all the cuts forward, and that, where one
hits in front of and behind himself. During the former the right shoulder must always stay directed forward at
the advance of either one foot or the other, conversely, during the latter the the body is turned according to the
foot.
126.
Occasionally one is forced, especially when encircled by multiple opponents, to turn himself forward
or backward without advancing as well, and this happens accordingly in two ways.
If the forward distance is farther than in behind, that is, when one is pressed more strongly from
behind than from the front, one turns himself wholly around on the heel of the right foot, in which one passes
with the left at the same time, so that when it has reached the ground, one has turned around with the entire
posture, whereby one is moved away from the enemies standing behind by a good bit, about an entire
foot-length; though it is not absolutely necessary, that this always must happen with passing of the left foot,
rather the left foot can stay standing too, and the right foot thrown around left or right according to
circumstance and need of the front; in order that one is not harassed by the enemy via cuts while turning, it is
good, if one, in the moment of the use against the side that he wants to abandon, makes a few more violent cuts
reaching around himself. As stated, the circumstances herein give the best rules, by which one occasionally
must also cut out the required space there, where one wants to set the foot down.

127.
The second way of front-changing is this: When one has as little space in the front as in the rear, or the
terrain, whereupon one stands is too narrow, one makes only a half pass forward with the left foot, then turns
himself around with bowed knees, and steps with the right foot so far forward that one maintains the required
foot distance again, whereby one likewise makes a turn on the pivot or middle point, but one removes himself
more from the forward or rearward enemies, or approaches. Additionally it is good here, if for security one
gives the front to be left something else to do, in order to be able to turn oneself all the more calmly around.

Lessons for the Practice of the Fist and Feet, in Advancing and Retiring

In Advancing. 1) Standing, half Quart. 2) Pass with the left foot, and half Terz. 3) Pass with the right, and half
Quart.
In Retiring. 1) Backward pass with the right, and half terz. 2) Backward pass with the left, and half Quart. 3)
Backward pass with the right foot, and half Terz

One now performs this with doubled cuts in half Terz and half Quart.

Pass with the right foot, and half Quart, half Terz, h. Quart. 2) Pass of the left foot, half Terz, half Quart, half
Terz. 3) Pass of the right foot, half Quart, half Terz, half Quart.

In Retiring. 1) Backward pass of the right foot, and half Terz, half Quart, half Terz. 2) Backward pass of the
left foot, and half Quart, half Terz, half Quart. 3) Backward pass of the right foot, and half Terz, half Quart,
half Terz.

In Advancing. 1) Forward pass of the right foot, and doubled half Quart, simple half Terz, double half Quart.
2) Forward pass of the left foot and doubled half Terz, simple half Quart, doubled half Terz. 3) Forward pass
of the right foot and double half Quart, simple half Terz, double half Quart.

In Retiring. 1) Backward pass of the right foot and double half Terz. simple half Quart, double half Terz. 2)
Backward pass of the left foot, and double half Quart, simple half Terz, double half Quart. 3) Backward pass of
the right foot, and double half Terz, simple half Quart, double half Terz

In Advancing. 1) Pass of the right foot, and simple half Quart, double half Terz, simple half Quart. 2) Pass of
the left foot, and simple half Terz, double half Quart, simple half Terz. 3) Pass of the right foot, and simple
half Quart, double half Terz, simple half Quart.

In Retiring. 1) Backward pass of the right foot, and simple half Terz, double half Quart, simple half Terz. 2)
Backward pass of the left foot and simple half Quart, double half Terz, simple half Quart. 3) Backward pass of
the right foot, and simple half Terz, double half Quart, simple half Terz.

In Advancing. 1) Pass of the right foot, and double Quart, double Terz, double Quart. 2) Pass of the left foot,
and double Terz, double Quart, double Terz. 3) Pass of the right foot, and double Quart, double Terz, double
Quart.

In Retiring. 1) Backward pass of the right foot, and double Terz, double Quart, double Terz. 2) Pass of the left
foot, and double Quart, double Terz, double Quart. 3) Backward pass of the right foot, and double Terz, double
Quart, double Terz.
In Advancing. 1) Pass of the right foot, and double Quart, double Terz, simple Quart. 2) Pass of the left foot,
and double Terz, double Quart, simple Terz. 3) Pass of the right foot, and double Quart, double Terz, simple
Quart.

In Retiring. 1) Backward of the right foot, and double Terz, double Quart, simple Terz. 2) Backward pass of
the left foot, and double Quart, double Terz, simple Quart. 3) Backward pass of the right foot, and double Terz,
double Quart, simple Terz.

In Advancing. 1) Pass of the right foot, and simple Quart, simple Terz, double Quart. 2) Pass of the left foot,
and simple Terz, simple Quart, double Terz. 3) Pass of the right foot, and simple Quart, simple Terz, double
Quart.

In Retiring. 1) Backward pass of the right foot, and simple Terz, simple Quart, double Terz. 2) Pass of the left
foot, and simple Quart, simple Terz, double Quart. 3) Backward pass of the right foot, and simple Terz, simple
Quart, double Terz.

In Advancing. 1) Pass of the left foot, and Prim. 2) Pass of the right foot, and whole or straight Terz from
above downwards. 3) Pass of the left foot, and half Terz. 4) Pass of the right foot, and half Quart.

In Retiring. 1) Backward pass of the right foot, and Prim. 2) Backward pass of the left foot, and whole
(straight) Terz. 3) Backward pass of the right foot, and half Terz. 4) Backward pass of the left foot, and half
Quart.
These lessons can likewise be performed with doubled cuts.

Cuts, which are delivered fore- and rearwards

In Advancing. 1) In standing, simple Quart. 2) Pass of the left foot, whereby the body is turned around, and
double Terz, 3) Pass of the right foot forward, and simple Quart. 4) Pass of the left foot rearwards, and double
Quart. 5) Pass of the right foot rearwards, and simple Terz. 6) Pass of the left foot forwards, and double Terz.
7) Pass of the right foot forward, and simple Quart. 8) Pass of the left foot rearwards, and double Quart.

In this fashion one can continue so long as one wants. One also can increase the simple or doubled
cuts according to discretion; for example, instead of the simple Terz, one can hit Terz, Quart, and Terz: instead
of the doubled Quart, one can hit double Quart, Terz, and double Quart; it is only to note therewith, that the
amount of the cuts, which come upon one foot, must be different, as 1, 3, 5, as otherwise a disorder would
develop in the feet, and one could not change, rather having to always repeat the same cuts.