Horizontally, on the right side of the head.
Ditto on the left do. do.
Vertically.
Diagonally, on the right temple.
Ditto on the left temple.
I prefer the cuts on the left side of the head, for the reasons that the
extra turn of the wrist necessary for their execution adds considerable
force to them, and that when the opposition is correctly formed the
whole of the head is defended from a counter, which is not the case when
the cuts are delivered on the right side. Then the opposition only
covers that side of the head. This I think to be of great importance, as
the head, as a rule, is the part at which men naturally and generally
counter. The vertical is not an effective one. A downward cut on the top
of a man’s head protected by a helmet would not do him much harm.
In making the horizontal or diagonal cut at the right side of the head,
a man may be timed if his adversary, instead of guarding, gives a
straight thrust with his hand opposite his right eye as the attack is
being made. The opposition thus formed would guard the attack. This
cannot be done on the cuts at the left side of the head, as there is no
certain opposition on that side.
The diagonal cut at the left side of the head should be aimed at the
temple in such a direction that, should the sword pass through, it would
come out near the right angle of the jaw.[2]
Footnote 2:
In actual combat I should aim the diagonal and horizontal cuts between
the ear and the top of the jacket collar.
It should be made with the wrist, and delivered in the manner described
in page 22 (To Attack).
Be careful as you longe to bear your hand to the left, so that, as you
strike the head, your hand is as high as, and a little to the left of,
your left eye and look over your forearm.