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M PO PRACTTICAL. MIAN C54. 

THOMAS A’ McCARTHY.. 

Aiihvor of Caulisthenic Drilling, efi Sixteen, Years aa: Instriccner, 

Late Sereeant Instructor 7th RAM and (oth Ree aneuts, 

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FRONTISPIECE. 

A PRACTICAL MANUAL. 

BY 
THOMAS A. McCARTHY, 
Autor or *“‘CAaLiIstHENIC DRILLING,” BTC. 
SIXTEEN YEARS AN INSTRUCTOR, 

Late Sergeant Instructor Tth RL. and 65th Regiments. 

WITH TWENTY-THREE FIGURES OF POSITIONS. 

LONDON 
W. SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO., 
PATERNOSTER ROW. 

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PREFACE. 

HE object of the author in compiling 

this little work is to fill an evident 

gap, there not being any special treatise 

in existence upon the once popular art 
of Quarter-staff. The Exercises have 
been carefully chosen from those that 
the author has himself used, during sixteen years’ experience, some of which 
exercises are used by Amateurs and 
Instructors, both at drill and in public 

performances. 

INTRODUCTION. 

UARTEH R-STAFF, having become 
almost obsolete, I should like to 

see it revived if only for the good derived 
from this best of exercises. It 1s very 
easily learned, and for those who do not 
care about Boxing it is an excellent 

substitute, owing to.the freedom of action 

afforded by ‘walking round,” advancing 

and retiring, jumping, etc.. I need hardly 
name the merits of Fencing and Sticks 
yet in Quarter-staff there is even more 
liberty of action. Juniors can play with 

a six-foot staff without injury, if dressed; 

 Vill INTRODUCTION. 

and after a time it will do away with a 
very great amount of timidity found in 
boys. 

As already stated, it may be used as 

an exercise by those who object to 

Boxing, and it will be. found an easy 
and invigorating game, and without 

danger. 
THOS. A. McCARTHY. 

THE QUARTER-STAFF. 

The Staff should be about 8 feet in 
length, and 4 or 5 inches in circumierence (Ash or Bamboo). It may be 9 feet 
6 inches long; but this depends entirely 
upon the players. I think this latter 
length too great, as. ease and skilful 
manipulation are difficult with it. 

THE DRESS. 

The necessary Dress consists of Helmet, 
Jacket, Leg-guards, right and left-handed 
Gauntlets, and a pair of Padded Gloves.* 
Boxing-gloves may be used, but they 
afford no protection to the wrist. 

This is the same Dress as for Sticks 
and Broad-sword, with the addition of a 

 Mr. GeorGE SPENCER’S new patterns are the best. 

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left-hand glove; all these articles are 
desirable: no one should play loose, 
without being thus dressed. 

THE READY. 

Each one stands facing inwards (i.e., 
facing each other), about 4 feet apart, with 
the Staff in the right hand, held between 
the forefinger and thumb, the elbow 
slightly bent, the upper part in the hollow 
of the shoulder, the point on the ground, 
and in a line with the toe of the right 
foot. 

PROVE DISTANCE. 

After being numbered No. 1 and No. 2, 
make a half-turn to the right on both 
heels; then raise the Staff from the 
ground with the right hand grasping it. 
At the same time straighten the left arm 
to the front of the body, till the upper 
end of each Staff touches the centre of 

‘the chest, the back of the right hand in 
a line with, and as-high as, the shoulder, 
the even number moving backwards or 
forwards to the required distance, as in 
fig. A. 

LOWER STAFFS. 

The Staff will then be brought to the 
side, as already described, the body being 
at the half-turn. 

ENGAGE. 

Advance the left foot about 18 inches 
straight to the front, bending the left 
knee till it projects over the centre of 
the instep, the right knee being bent and 
pressed well back, the body perpendicular 
with the span. At the same time bring 
the Staff across the body, and seize it 
with the left hand about 2 feet 8 inches 
from the right, the back of the hand to 
the front, and as high as the top of the 

left shoulder, and half bent, while the 
right elbow touches the hollow of the 
side fore-arm nearly at right angles with 
the body, the back of the hand upwards. 

When at the ENGAGE, both hands 
should be 2 feet 8 inches apart, and the 
same distance from each end as in 
fiogs. 

Each limb should be mobile and free. 

THE CHANGE. 

Bring the advanced foot back, turning 
half-left, and advance the right foot to 
the front, at the same time giving the 
Staff a smart cant with the left. hand, 
from left to right, changing hands, and 
grasp the Staff with the right hand above, 
and left below, as in fig. c. 

ATTACKS AND DEFENCES. 

ATTACK ONE. Strike with the 
upper end of the Staff at the right side 

QUARTER-STAFF. £3 

of the head (if the left foot is in front), 
stepping out about 18 inches, and raising 
the lower hand as high as the upper one, 
i.e., about the height of the chin. 

The GUARD is formed by carrying 
the upper hand quickly to the right side 
till the Staff is perpendicular and just 
clear of the point of the shoulder, tle 
blow being received on the upper part of 
the Staff, as in fig. 1. 

ATTACK TWO. Strike at the left 
side of the head with the lower end of 
the Staff, stepping out as in ONE, and 
allow the upper hand to loosen its grasp, 
and the Staff to be above the left shoulder, 
both arms straight to the front. 

The GUARD is formed by the blow 

being received on the centre (between 
the hands) of the Staff, by smartly raising 

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the lower hand as high as, and opposite 
to, the left eye, lowering the upper hand 
a few inches, as in fig. 2. 

ATTACK THREE. Strike at the 
centre of the body with the upper end of 
the Staff, stepping out as in ONE and 
I'WO, the hand as high as the centre 
of the body and straight. 

The GUARD is formed with the 
centre of the Staff, by carrying the Staff 
as in ONE to the right side, as in fig. 3. 

ATTACK FOUR. Strike at the 
centre of the body (left side) with the 
lower end of the Staff, stepping out as 
in TWO. 

The GUARD is formed as in TWO, 

with the upper hand as high as, and clear 
of, the left shoulder, as in fig. 4. 

ATTACK FIVE. Strike at the 
leg (right side) with the upper end, stepping out, the arms being straight and as 
high as the opponent’s knee. 

The GUARD is formed: with the 
lower end, by quickly advancing both 
arms to the front till the. Staff is a few 
inches in advance of the knee, both hands 
opposite the centre of the body, and the 
Staff perpendicular, as in fig. 5. 

ATTACK SIX. Strike with the 
lower end of the Staff at the left side of 
the leg, stepping out as in TWO and 
FOUR. 

The GUARD is formed with the 

 upper end of the Staff, by dropping the 
upper hand and raising the lower one to, 
and opposite to the point of the left 
shoulder (advancing both arms till a few 
inches clear of the knee, the Staff beimg 
perpendicular), as in fig. 4, observing the 
above rule. 

The above GUARD can be formed 

with the lower end (without reversing it) 
by advancing both arms, as in FIVE, 
and bringing the lower end round the 
point of the knee; but it is rather awkward, as-in the movement the Staff is 
likely to hit the leg or foot, and be too 
late to be effective (fig. 6). 

ATTACK SEVEN (HEAD). Strike 
with the upper end of the Staff straight 
to the front at the middle of the head, 
stepping out at the time. This is the pin. 

The GUARD is formed by bringing 

QUARTER-STAFF. ef 

the Staff horizontal, and a few inches 
above and in front of the head, the centre 
of the Staff receiving the blow with both 
hands above the shoulders, as in fig. 7. 

The above represent all the AT- 
TACKS, and each one should practise 
and perform them well before beginning 
LOOSE PLAY. There are several 
FEINTS which can be easily practised 
in conjunction with the ATTACKS; 
but each player, both No.1, No. 2, should 
do the seven attacks well, both with 
right and with left foot in front, before 

commencing LOOSE PLAY. 

FEINTS. 
FEINT ONE. Make an attempt to 

strike the right side, moving the foot 
about 9 inches to the front. As soon as 

the GUARD is shown, complete the 
attack by STRIKE TWO on the left 
side, completing the step forward. The 
second GUARD being made, if successiully, recover immediately. 

All feints must be done quickly, especally GUARDING FEINTS. 

FEINT TWO and STRIKE 
THREE. Make an attempt of STRIKE 
TWO; on the GUARD being shown, 
make STRIKE THREE in the same. 

manner as FEINT ONE and STRIKE 
TWO. Fc els 

FEINT SIX, and STRIKE AT 
HEAD: (as above described.) 

STEPPING OUT OF REACH. 

After the FEINTS STEPPING 
OUT OF REACH will follow; but 
I must add another word or two on. 
FEINTS. 

All feimts must be -practised loosely 

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before this exercise is done. LOOSE 
PLAY with the Quarter-staff is exactly 
like loose Boxing, so far as movement 1s 
concerned, the greatest liberty being 
allowed in moving about, walking round, 
going backwards or forwards at the will 
of the players, attempt being made at the 
same time to keep within hitting distance, 
as it is very bad to be too far apart, 
since this looks very much like fear, the 
blows sometimes being a little heavier 
than with a Singlestick. 

STEP BACK. Step smartly backwards out of ‘reach, on being attacked, 
and strike by allowing the upper hand to 
slip back to the lower one. If any of the 
blows are delivered, the lower hand must 
not be moved; this is foul. The above 1s 

called “CATCHING HIM.” If the 

‘blow is delivered at the leg, the head 

would be the best arta to ‘ catch him,” 
and vice versa. 

THE PIN. 

Strike at the head, and on the blow 
being guarded, press hard and keep the 
Staff on the guard. On the least weakening of the guard, step back and strike 
as directed above. This is called “ PIN- ° 
NING HIM,” and can easily be done. 
There is only one way out of the PIN: 
as soon as ‘‘ pinned,”’ step back and make 
STRIKE ONE or TWO, which form 
also an opposing guard. Vide fig. 7. 

JUMPING. 
A HIT AND A MISS. (Fig. 8.) 

On striking at the lower limbs, by 
jumping upwards the attacking Staff will 
pass under the feet. I do not advise this 
system, though I have-often seen it done, 
I never could do it, and it looks very much 
like a made-up affair (for show). It is not 
uncommon in a public exhibition, where 
the best man does not necessarily win.. 

One must lose, and there is nothing dishonourable in it; therefore, let the best 
man win, and the loser lose honestly ! 

FIRST PRACTICE. 
STRIKES AND GUARDS. 

 NUMBER ONE. NUMBER TWO. 

STRIKE ONE. GUARD ONE. 
GUARD HEAD (7). STRIKE AT HEAD (7), 
STRIKE THREE. GUARD THREE. 
STRIKE TWO. GUARD TWO. ° 
GUARD FOUR. STRIKE FOUR. 
STRIKE AT HEAD. GUARD HEAD. 
STRIKE FIVE. GUARD FIVE. 
GUARD HEAD. STRIKE AT HEAD. 
STRIKE SIX. GUARD SIX. 

Repeat the above, No. 2 commencing. 

After practising the above, standing, it 
should be done moving round, advancing 
and retiring, moving the feet. as quickly 
as possible in and out of distance. Arms 
and legs should have perfect freedom of 
action, and not be stiff or in any way 
cramped. 

SECOND PRACTICE. 
FEINTS. 

NUMBER ONE (odd). 

FEINT ONE. 
STRIKE FOUR. 

GUARD HEAD. 
STRIKE THREE. 

FEINT TWO. 
STRIKE FIVE. 

GUARD THREE. 

STRIKE AT HEAD. 

FEINT FIVE. 
STRIKE AT HEAD. 

GUARD SIX. 

STRIKE FOUR. 

NUMBER TWO (even). 

GUARDS ONE AND 
FOUR. 
STRIKE AT HEAD. 

GUARD THREE. 

GUARDS TWO AND 
FIVE. 
STRIKE THREE. 

GUARD HEAD. 

GUARD FIVE AND 
HEAD. 

STRIKE SIX. 

GUARD FOUR. 

Repeat even numbers commencing. 

After doing the above, standing, they 
should be done moving. ‘Too much care 
cannot be taken with these exercises, 
always showing an opposing cuard, when-. ° 
ever attacked. Never trust to luck in 
guarding but always follow the opposing 
Staff, either in a FEINT or otherwise, 
as you cannot always recognise a FEINT, 

its object being, of course, to deceive. By 
following all opposite moves with the 
opposing guard, the chances are equal, as 
it will be plain that half a guard can be 
made much more quickly than a whole 
guard. Therefore, it takes a little more 
time for the half and whole attacks to be 
made than to form the corresponding 
guards, as the defender has less ground 
to go over than the player acting on the 
offensive. Therefore always show the 
opposing guard on every occasion; it 
baffles your opponent, and occasionally 
makes him believe that you are bent on 
attack. 

Do not get hurried; make each attack, 
on which you have decided, quickly. 
Never change’ your mind half-way and 
try some other attack for which you are 
not prepared. Steadiness and determination are worth-a world of theory and — 
subtilty, and to possess them, try, and 
try hard. 

DA QUARTER-STAFF. 

TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND 
JUNIOR CLASSES. 

Junior boys might with advantage use 
a 6-1t. Quarter-staff, instead of engaging 
in fights every morning, and knocking 
one another’s faces out of shape, to settle 
their ‘‘ private quarrels.” Quarter-staff 
is very ‘“‘manly,” and some very “hard 
 knocks” are received on both sides, and 

it has, moreover, this advantage over 
Fighting, ali marks are out of sight. 

The same rules are to be observed for 
Seniors as with the long-staff, and each 
must be properly dressed as described 
above. (Fig. 9.) 

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SOSWELL ROAD, LONDON, EOe 
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