Long Guard (Posta Longa)
Guards 5/12 - Verse 17
Extended sword - using feints to create openings
Translation
The Extended Stance (Fluid) is a deceptive guard position in which the sword is extended forward. This guard specialises in probing and testing the opponent's guard to find openings for deception. It is particularly well-suited to delivering thrust when opportunities arise. The guard excels at avoiding incoming blows and immediately counterstriking after the void. Among all guards, this one relies most heavily on feints, false attacks, and tactical deception to create openings.
Fiore's Words
I am the Extended Stance, full of cunning and guile, Probing your defences, testing all the while. If a thrust can land, I know just how it's done - I slip your blows aside and strike before you've won. More than any guard, deception is my art. With my short sword extended, I'll pierce straight through your heart.
Combat Context
This guard is used when you want to control distance and gather information about your opponent's intentions before committing to an attack. The extended sword position keeps the opponent at bay while you probe for weaknesses. When the opponent attempts to strike, use the extended position to void offline and immediately counterthrust to the throat. This guard is especially effective when you need to fight cautiously against an unknown opponent or when you want to tire an aggressive fighter by forcing them to commit to attacks against decoys.
Training Notes
- ✦ Hold the sword extended forward with the point threatening the opponent. This is the defining characteristic of the guard
- ✦ Practice testing the opponent's guard with small movements and false attacks without committing
- ✦ Develop the skill to transition immediately from defensive void to offensive thrust
- ✦ Focus on making your feints and probing actions indistinguishable from real attacks until the moment of commitment
- ✦ When thrusting from this guard, target the throat/neck area as specified in the verse manuscripts
- ✦ The guard's name suggests fluidity, avoid being static; keep the point moving and testing
- ✦ Train the void-and-strike combination as a single flowing action rather than separate movements
This is card FL17 from the Fiore dei Liberi Sword In Two Hands deck.
Get the full deck of 78 physical training cards.
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· Posta longa, Instabile · [24r-a] ¶ Posta longa si'e questa piena di falsita. Ella va tastando le guardie se lo compagno po ingannare. Se ella po ferir de punta la lo sa ben far E gli colpi la schiva, e po fieri s'ella lo po'fare. Piu che le altre guardie, le falsita sa usare.
This guard is the Long Guard, which is full of deception. She is skilled in probing[35] the guards to see if she can deceive her opponent. If she needs to strike the opponent with a thrust, she is well-suited to do it. As for the opponent’s blows, she knows how to avoid them and then strike back with blows of her own. This guard employs deception more than any other guard.
[12v-a] Questa si e posta longa ch'e piena de falsita. Ella va tastando le guardie se lo compagno po inganar. S'ella po ferire de punta ella lo sa ben fare, gli colpi ella schiva e poi fiere s'ella lo po fare. Piu che le altre guardie le falsitade sa usare.
This is the Extended Stance which is full of deceit; she probes the other guards to see if she can deceive a companion. If she can strike with a thrust, she knows how to do it well; she voids the blows and she can wound when she is able. More than any other guard, her tactic is deception.
[18b-a] Io son posta longa cum mia spada curta Che cum inçegno la golla spesso furta
I am the Extended Stance with my short sword And I often strike the throat with cunning.
[13r-a] ¶ Ense brevi maneo. situs attamen hic ego longus Nominor / ingenio guttur sepissime scindens.
I remain the short sword, but, however, in this Position I am called Long, very often cutting the neck using this clever device.