Attacks

An attack is a choreographed movement toward a numbered target line.

In Saber Standard Notation, a plain target number means that the Saberist is performing an attack toward that line.

Important

An attack in the Saber Standard is not permission to strike your partner. It is a controlled movement in a shared choreography.

Basic attack notation

A plain number is an attack. The number tells the reader which target line the movement is directed toward: 1 is an attack toward target 1, 11 toward target 11, and so on.

The beginner set is 1, 11, 3, 9, 5, and 7. For what each of those lines means and where it sits on the clock face, see Targets. The full twelve-line reference is in the Notation Legend.

Attack versus target

The target is the line.

The attack is the action moving toward that line.

Concept	Meaning
Target	The numbered line being used
Attack	The choreographed movement toward that line

Example:

3 means the Saberist attacks target line 3.

Attack and parry relationship

Most beginner attacks have a matching parry.

Attack	Matching parry
1	1P
11	11P
3	3P
9	9P
5	5P
7	7P

The attack gives the line. The parry receives or answers that line.

Attacks in a two-Saberist table

In a Saber Standard table, the attack appears in the step column for the Saberist performing it.

Player	Step 1	Step 2	Step 3
Saberist A	1	11	3
Saberist B	1P	11P	3P

Read this vertically:

• Step 1: Saberist A attacks 1; Saberist B parries 1P.
• Step 2: Saberist A attacks 11; Saberist B parries 11P.
• Step 3: Saberist A attacks 3; Saberist B parries 3P.

Common beginner mistakes

Mistake	Correction
Swinging too hard	Slow down and make the line readable
Aiming at the body	Aim toward the choreographed line, not the person
Changing the line mid-swing	Follow the written target
Moving before the partner is ready	Reset and confirm both Saberists understand the step
Treating notation like sparring	Keep it choreographed and repeatable

Teaching note

When teaching attacks, do not start with speed. Start with shape.

A good beginner attack should answer three questions clearly:

1. What target line is being used?
2. Can the partner read it?
3. Can both Saberists repeat it safely?

If the answer is no, the attack is not ready to speed up.

Attack diagrams

Attack 1	Attack 11
Attack 3	Attack 9
Attack 5	Attack 7