1. Fencing, in modern combat, is out of the question. Almost every
fight will consist of but one or two motions. Hence the class
must be taught that the best defence is the quickest offensive.
2. Every available means of offence, with hands and feet as well as
with rifle and bayonet, is a part of bayonet training.
3. Teamwork is essential. Men must be taught, especially in the
combat, to exercise, to seize every opportunity to act together.
4. Personal control during combat, especially at night, will be
nearly impossible. Control should be practiced, therefore, in
the form of clear instructions delivered to the men before
assault, and fulfilled individually.
5. In every assault and combat exercise, the men must be taught
never to leave an enemy alive, or who may be alive, behind them.

C. TECHNIQUE OF BAYONET COMBAT:

1. The _point_ is the main reliance. Its use should be practiced
in every possible situation, until a correct choice or
combination of long point, short point, and jab, and the
execution thereof, becomes a matter of instinct.
2. The point must always be directed at a definite target. The most
vulnerable points of the body are: Lower abdomen, base of the
neck, small of the back (on either side of the spine), chest,
and thighs. Bony parts of the trunk must be avoided by accurate
aim.
3. The use of the rifle as a club, swinging or striking, is
valuable only:
a. When the point is not available.
b. In sudden encounters at close quarters, when a sharp butt
swing to the crotch may catch an opponent unguarded.
c. After parrying a swinging butt blow, when a butt strike to
the jaw is often the quickest possible riposte.
The use of butt swings overhead or sidewise to the head or
neck, is to be avoided; they are slow, inaccurate, easily
parried or side-stepped, and leave the whole body unguarded.
After every butt blow a thrust must immediately follow, since
no butt blow, of itself, is apt to be fatal.
4. The parries must be regarded and practiced chiefly as means of
opening the opponent's guard; hence, a thrust must immediately
follow each parry.
5. The foot movements shown in the old manual are useful only to
promote quickness and steadiness. They should, therefore, be
practiced in combination with