Steps
Starting Position
Begin in Guardia Alta
Feet close – roughly a hand’s span apart – with the sword foot leading. Rear foot turned out no more than 45 dg.
Sword either straight up, or pointing back at a slight angle.
Buckler extended at shoulder height, handle vertical.
Weight is always on the balls of the feet, mostly on the front leg. Rear foot is ‘light’. Do not be flat-footed. Keep a slight bend in the knee.
Step 1 – Mandritto to Buckler
Cut a mandritto squalembro into the rim of the buckler, then immediately return to guardia alta.
Step forward with the sword foot at the same time as the cut, immediately replace it when you recover into guardia alta.
Step 2 – Riverso to Coda Lunga e Larga
Cut a riverso squalembro into the buckler rim, ending in coda lunga e larga.
Step forward with the buckler foot at the same time as the cut.
Step 3 – coda lunga e stretta
Immediately lift the point into coda lunga e stretta.
Only the point of the sword should move, by the action of the wrist.
Point it at the opponent’s centre, ideally their nose.
Step 4 – Thrust into di Faccia
Thrust a stoccatta into the opponent’s face, ending in Guardia di faccia
No steps. Buckler should open like a door to cover the hands.
Step 5 – Stramazzone
Cut a stramazzone, originating on your non sword side, by dropping the point and cutting vertically down with the true edge.
Take a passing step forward with the sword foot.
The cut should come from the wrist. Keep the arms out, the buckler must cover the hands as they are vulnerable in this extended position. Maintain coverage and allow the buckler to move with the sword had as you cut.
Make sure the sword comes close to your body, so that it describes a ‘wheel’ rather than a ‘cone’, and the cut is straight down the centre line.
Step 6 – Second Stramazzone
Cut a second stramazzone, originating on your non sword side, by dropping the point and cutting vertically down with the true edge.
Take a passing step forward with the buckler foot.
Step 7 – Guardia di Testa
Turn into guardia di testa.
Pivot your feet roughly 45dg towards your sword side.
Sword and buckler should be held extended at shoulder height. Sword pointing out and up, buckler supporting to defend against cuts to the head. Keep the arms slightly bent.
Step 8 – Mandritto
Cut a mandritto squalembro, as you cross your sword foot in front of your buckler foot, ending in porta di ferro larga.
It is important to always have a bend in the knee and weight on the balls of the feet for this footwork.
Step 9 – Riverso
Cut a riverso squalembro ending in coda lunga e distesa.
Two steps: as you cut the buckler foot steps out from behind the sword foot, the sword foot steps back into the guard.
Step 10 – Back into Alta
Cut a montante with the false edge into the opponent’s hands as you step back with the buckler foot, ending in guardia alta.
Step back with the buckler foot as you cut straight up, ending with the feet in the position at the start.