To traverse is to move off the straight line between you and your opponent, or circle if you like. By default, you should move, attack, and defend in the straight line, as it is the most efficient. The traverse can be used to manoeuvre into safer or more advantageous positions, such as to put the sun in your opponent’s eyes. Or to move away from an obstacle where you might get cornered, or to firmer or higher ground.
Traverses are also favoured by some to use defensively instead of recovering to guard in a linear fashion. They can also be used during some ripostes and feints to provoke larger responses or to create better angles of attack.
The fore traverse is to go forwards, and the back traverse is to go backwards. Roworth has a complicated method of describing it, but in simple terms, simply step around your opponent whilst maintaining your sword arm and shoulder forward for defence.
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