There are plays that just make you feel like a swordsman. Sequences that, with varying levels of complexity feel "right". They have a beauty and directness to them that can unlock a passion or defeat an uncertainty.
The Pommel Strike!
This is fairly simple. You've met their sword and you're still going forward. Relax your wrist, smack them in the face. Trick being to keep your sword between your body and their sword. The hand on their wrist is optional but preferred.
[28r-c] ¶ This is another play that flows from the crossing of my Master. And from that crossing I can make this play and all of the others that follow. In this play I grip my opponent at the elbow as shown, and then strike him in the face with the pommel of my sword. After that I can also strike him in the head with a downward strike before he has a chance to make cover against me.
This is another pommel strike, which is effective against a man with or without armor. Make this strike against a man with or without armor. Make this strike quickly if his face is unprotected, and you will certainly hurt him. I if his face is unprotected, and you will certainly hurt him. I can tell you from experience that with this strike you’ll can tell you from experience that with this strike you’ll have him spitting out four teeth. From here, if you wish, you can him spitting out four teeth. From here, if you wish, you can also throw your sword around his neck, as my fellow also throw your sword around his neck, as my fellow student will show you will show you next
High Disarm
¶ This is a high sword disarm. With my left hand I pin his hands, while at the same time I press forwards against his his hands, while at the same time I press forwards against his blade with the grip of my sword so that he loses his grip on blade with the grip of my sword so that he loses his grip on his sword. Then I will deal him several good strikes. The his sword. Then I will deal him several good strikes. The student who comes after me will show how this play student who comes after me will show how this play finishes with the opponent’s sword lying on the with the opponent’s sword lying on the ground.
Following the disarm performed by the student who came before me, you will feel your sword fall to the ground. And now there is no question as to whether I can strike And now there is no question as to whether I can strike you
This doesn't happen that often in combat (because of the protection we use) but it's a lovely one to show of the possibilities. With a minor modification it can be performed with a step in punching their face. Reach down and tuck their elbows against your body. Left arm should be a teapot handle pressing both elbows of your oppo together. From there, you simply use the hilt of your sword to take theirs
This sounds complicated but flows really nicely.
Wristlock blade to neck
Disarms
There are a lot of disarms, and walking away from an exchange with twice the amount of swords you started with is incredibly satisfying.
You'll find your own feelgood plays. Things that click for you as "real swordsmanship" that you may never use In the heat of competition but bring a disproportionate sense if satisfaction.