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Targets

Targets are the numbered lines used in SaberCraft Notation to describe where an attack is directed.

The SaberCraft Standard uses a clock-face model. Imagine a clock placed in front of your partner. The number in the notation points to the intended line of movement.

Beginner idea

A target number does not mean "hit this body part." It means "move toward this choreographed line."

The six beginner targets

The beginner target set uses six lines:

Target Beginner description Common use
1 High / upper center line Opens the first vertical line of CM-A
11 High opposite line Trains the opposite high response
3 Side line Trains a horizontal side response
9 Opposite side line Trains the opposite horizontal side response
5 Low line Trains a lower diagonal or low-line response
7 Opposite low line Trains the opposite low-line response

These six targets are enough to read and practice CM-A, the first core movement. The full twelve-line notation reference is available in the Notation Legend.

How to read a target

A plain number is an attack toward that target line.

Symbol Meaning
1 Attack target 1
11 Attack target 11
3 Attack target 3

A number followed by P is a parry against that target line.

Symbol Meaning
1P Parry target 1
11P Parry target 11
3P Parry target 3

Target perspective

Targets are read from the perspective of the choreographed exchange, not as random screen directions.

When learning, do not overthink camera angle, audience angle, or left/right naming. Start with the shared clock-face idea between the two Saberists.

The important questions are:

  1. Which target line is being attacked?
  2. Which parry receives that line?
  3. Can both Saberists repeat the same movement safely?

Targets in CM-A

CM-A uses all six beginner targets in sequence.

For the full six-step table, use the CM-A reference page. This page only introduces the target concept so new readers are not asked to learn the whole sequence in multiple places.

This teaches the basic pattern:

attack line → matching parry

Control and distance

A target is not a license to strike.

In beginner practice:

  • the attack should be controlled
  • the defender should be ready
  • the saber should stop before contact
  • both Saberists should understand the line before adding speed

If a target line causes confusion or unsafe distance, slow down and reset.

Target diagrams

The first six targets

The first six targets

The second four targets

The second four targets

The three deadly shots

The three deadly shots

These three diagrams are migrated from the original SaberCraft target reference material. Still not yet created:

  1. A CM-A target sequence diagram
  2. A printable beginner target sheet