Melee combat 2

Keep in mind that this was written with armed, human opponents in mind.
and unlike human opponents, Zombies can be counted upon to always take the offensive initiative.

Chapter 2
Initiative
In melee combat, “initiative” refers to how the combatants time their maneuvers in relationship to each other. Perceiving the initiative of a fight is essential to survival, to say nothing of victory. When combatants confront each other, one must eventually make an attack upon the other. If no-one attacks the other, then there isn’t really a swordfight in the first place and there probably should not be one anyways. Initiative is primarily a matter of which combatant chooses to make the first strike
A combatant has two options: He may make the first strike and hope to succeed in defeating the opponent. This is the offensive initiative. Or, he may wait to be attacked and attempt to defend then counter-attack. This is the defensive initiative. Typically, the defender has the advantage.
Sometimes, both combatants will choose the same initiative. This is called a mutual initiative. If two combatants choose to attack at the same time, the result is frequently a mutual slaying or wounding. Alternately, if both combatants refuse to make the first strike and wait for the opportunity to counter, then an intense stand-off results.
Whether it is better to attack or defend is the subject of much debate. Personally, I prefer the defensive initiative. Taking the offensive against an opponent who is aware of you and waiting is extremely difficult to do well. The attacker is confronted with the choice between making a safer, less committed maneuver, such as striking at the opponent’s weapon in hope of provoking a reaction, or he may commit to an earnest attack which will provide a genuine threat. But an earnest offensive will inevitable leave the attacker open to a counter. I also prefer the resulting standoff of a mutual defensive initiative, to the results of a poorly timed mutual offense; a mutual slaying. If both parties choose a defensive initiative and stick to it, then it is entirely likely that neither combatant wants very much to hurt the other, and violence may yet be avoided altogether.
However, it may be impossible to win a fight without taking the offensive. It is best to be capable of taking either initiative as necessary.
A melee confrontation is typically a series of initiatives, taken until one party gains victory. When combatants face each other, they regard each other and maneuver with weapons in hand. Eventually, one combatant will choose to take the offensive initiative. The offending party will either make a non-committed maneuver such as a feint, or close the distance for an actual attack. This initial maneuver is extremely disadvantaged and frequently is not the maneuver which ends the fight. Cunning, controlled aggression, strength, velocity, timing and focus may still allow an initial attack to succeed. The defender will typically foil the initial attack and will have a window of opportunity to make an effective counter-attack.
At this point, both combatants will be in range of each other’s attacks. When fighters have closed the distance, an intense back-and-forth of strike and parry may result. In this sort of clash, both combatants are on an equal initiative. This back-and-forth will last until an attack gets through or the combatants move away from each other. This sort of equal-initiative back and forth rarely last for more than a few seconds until one fighter wins or disengages from the clash.
After the fighters have moved out of range of each other and are on balance again, they will be able to begin a new initiative.