"Like the gathering step, you can also pass forward and pass backward. Make sure you get both down pat when practising on your own. Now, we will go on to what probably is the hardest part of the footwork, which is called sloping. It requires proficiency of both the gathering and passing steps, and though it is difficult to master it is immensely rewarding for it allows you to flank your opponent while constantly maintaining your guard. This is what makes the difference between a trained swordsman and an untrained one. The hypothetical swordsman I raised earlier who could defeat you? He would use this step to crush your defences."
Camlach again looked at Eridanus for any reaction, but his student was so enraptured by his lecture that he went on, "There are four types of sloping, and they are all diagonal, obviously. What are they?"
It was a freebie question, and Eridanus eagerly answered, "Forward left, forward right, backward left, backward right."
"Correct, except remember to add the word 'sloping' in front. In future if I ask you to 'slope front right' or 'slope back left' you should know what I am referring to."
The instructor settled into the stance that Eridanus should be familiar with by now, with his right foot forward. He gestured for his student to do the same, but beside him rather than facing him so that he can replicate his movements more conveniently.
"Follow carefully. As this is an advanced technique I will go through all four sloping movements. If at any time you have any questions please stop me and clarify. Clear?"
"Yes sir."
"Alright, we shall first begin with the 'slope front left', or sloping to your forward left position."
Camlach again looked at Eridanus for any reaction, but his student was so enraptured by his lecture that he went on, "There are four types of sloping, and they are all diagonal, obviously. What are they?"
It was a freebie question, and Eridanus eagerly answered, "Forward left, forward right, backward left, backward right."
"Correct, except remember to add the word 'sloping' in front. In future if I ask you to 'slope front right' or 'slope back left' you should know what I am referring to."
The instructor settled into the stance that Eridanus should be familiar with by now, with his right foot forward. He gestured for his student to do the same, but beside him rather than facing him so that he can replicate his movements more conveniently.
"Follow carefully. As this is an advanced technique I will go through all four sloping movements. If at any time you have any questions please stop me and clarify. Clear?"
"Yes sir."
"Alright, we shall first begin with the 'slope front left', or sloping to your forward left position."