Long Tail
Guards 11/12 - Verse 23
Low rear guard transitioning forward to cover and strike
Translation
The Long Tail is a guard position where the sword is extended low behind you toward the ground. From this stance, you can deliver thrusts, and you can also move forward to cover incoming attacks and strike. If you pass forward while delivering a descending cut (fendente), you will enter the narrow play without failure. This is an excellent guard for waiting and observing your opponent, as you can quickly transition into other guards.
Fiore's Words
I am the Long Tail, stretched low to the ground behind me. Forward and backwards, I always bring offence, I can thrust my point and cover to strike ahead. And if I pass forward, entering with a downward blow, I come to the narrow play without fail. I am a good guard for waiting, because I can quickly enter into others'.
Combat Context
A defensive waiting stance that keeps your sword at maximum distance and makes it difficult for the opponent to engage. Used when you want to observe your opponent's intentions before committing. The low rear position protects against attacks while maintaining offensive threat potential. When you read the opponent's action, you can explosively transition forward to cover and strike, or enter close combat with a descending cut. The flexibility to quickly shift into other guards makes this an excellent transitional position during longer exchanges.
Training Notes
- ✦ The sword should be extended behind you at a low angle toward the ground. This creates distance and makes your sword difficult to engage.
- ✦ Practice the transition from this extended rear position to a forward covering action. This is a significant movement that requires coordinated footwork.
- ✦ When passing forward with the fendente, commit fully to the step. Fiore emphasises this enters narrow play 'without failure', suggesting the movement and cut must be decisive.
- ✦ Drill transitions from this guard into other positions, as Fiore specifically notes this as a strength of the position.
- ✦ The waiting quality suggests this guard is effective for drawing out your opponent's action before committing to your own response.
- ✦ The thrust capability (especially rearward, per Morgan) suggests applications against opponents who have circled or passed you by.
This is card FL23 from the Fiore dei Liberi Sword In Two Hands deck.
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· Posta di choda longa stabile · [24v-a] [53]¶ Questa si e posta di coda longa ch'e destesa in terra di dredo, ella po metter punta, e denançi po covrir e ferire. E se ello passa inançi e tra del fendente, in Lo zogo stretto entra senza fallimento, che tal guardia e bona per aspettare, che de quella in altre tosto po intrare.
This is the Long Tail Guard Guard that extends behind you down to the ground. She can attack with a thrust, and can also move forwards to cover and strike. And if she passes forward while striking downwards she can easily enter the Narrow Game. This is a good guard to wait in, because you can quickly transition from it into other guards.
[13r-c] Questa si e posta de coda longa ch'e distesa in terra de dredo ella po mettere punta, e denanci po covrir e ferir. E s'ello passa innanci e tra delo fendente. In lo zogo stretto intra senza falimento. Che tale guardia e bona per aspetare. Che de quella in le altre tosto po intrare.
This is the Stance of the Long Tail which is extended toward the ground. She can thrust the point behind and she can cover and strike in front, and if she steps forward and attacks with a downward blow, into the narrow play she enters without failure. And such a guard is good for waiting, because from her someone can enter into the others quickly.
[19a-c] Posta de coda lunga son in terra destesa Denançi e dedredo sempre io faço offesa E se passo innançi e entro in lo fendent E vegno al'streto zogho senza faliment
Stance of the Long Tail, I am extended to the ground Forward and backward, I always make offense: And if I step forward and enter with a downward blow, I come to the narrow play without fail.
[13v-c] ¶ Protrahor in terram situs en caudatus. et ante / Postque ago persaepe traiectis ictibus ictus[54].
Behold! I am dragged forward into the ground, the Long Tail Position. And before And after I very often drive, piercing blows to blows.