File:Fencing (1890) (14757510666).jpg

Identifier: fencing1890poll (find matches)
Title: Fencing
Year: 1890 (1890s)
Authors: Pollock, Walter Herries, 1850-1926 Grove, F. C Prevost, Camille Michell, E. B Armstrong, Walter Castle, Egerton, 1858-1920
Subjects: Fencing Boxing Wrestling
Publisher: London : Longmans, Green
Contributing Library: Boston College Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Library Consortium Member Libraries

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r thanhis opponent or who has a longer reach, ought, if he is wellskilled, never to allow that unfortunate to get within strikingdistance. To illustrate this take two dolls with flexible arms.Extend the left arm of the bigger one and put it in a boxingattitude opposite the other. Do what you will with the armsof the latter, you w^ill never touch the face of the former ; forbefore the blow can get home the face or chest of the smallerdoll will come in contact with the opposing left fist of the bigger.Of course, in order for this style of defence to be effectual, thelonger-armed man must make the very most of his reach, and hemust be sure that his blow does not miss its aim. The variousdevices for eluding that aim, and preventing a long reach fromtelling, constitute the A B C of the small mans art. But, sup-posing an exactly equal degree of skill and pluck, the long manshould always win by reason of his blows coming home whenthose of the other fall short. The stop by countering is mani-
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Figure X.—L-eft-hatstd lead-off THE ART OF BOXING 153 fcstly the best of all defences, for it needs less trouble. Thereis no shifting of ground, no raising of the right arm, no violentexertion of the body. Only the left arm is just thrown forwardand the adversary is disconcerted, receiving very likely a nastyknock at the same time. When this energetic system of defenceis adopted the visage of the man who leads off, whether at thehead, or at the body, as in Figs. II. and III., comes violentlyinto contact with the outstretched fist of the intended victim.Of course this stop may, and often should, be combinedv/ith a * guard by the right arm. (2.) The retreat in good order.—This is a much safer, thoughless telling manoeuvre. It is effected, if the lead-off is shortand the distance is accurately judged, by throwing the balanceof the body back on the right leg, and if necessary shiftingground more or less to the rear, in manner already mentioned(Fig. IV.). (3.) Ducking.—A dangerous bu

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