Note 10 — Section II. PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION WITH THE SWORD.

In the Regulation sword the “centre of percussion” is about one-third from the point; here there is no vibration, and consequently the Cut exercises its whole force. The “centre of gravity” is in the third nearest the hilt, and the “balance” of the sword results from the relative positions of the two centres. In light swords these points may be farther apart than in heavy blades; they should be closer in straight than in curved swords, and nearer in thrusting than in cutting weapons.