Low Sword Disarm (sottano)
Narrow Play - Verse 78
Rotate opponent's hilt upward with circular pressure
Translation
This is another sword disarm called the low disarm (sottano). You perform this technique in the same manner as the high disarm and the middle disarm. That is, with a rotation of your opponent's sword. This disarm follows the same path as the others. With your right hand, you press his blade forward, causing the sword handle to rotate upward in a full circular motion. Your left hand must remain on the handle and follow it through the complete rotation.
Fiore's Words
I am the low disarm, sottano by name. I work like my brothers. The path is the same. With the turning of the blade, I take what you hold: Right hand drives forward, the circle unfolds. Left hand stays with it, the full turn complete. A gifted Master makes this technique sweet.
Combat Context
Applied during narrow play (close quarters sword engagement) when you have achieved hand contact with the opponent's sword handle. The low position suggests application when the opponent's sword is in a lower guard or has been driven downward, allowing you to execute the upward circular rotation to complete the disarm.
Training Notes
- ✦ This disarm follows the same fundamental pattern as the high and middle disarms. learn those first to understand the rotation principle
- ✦ The right hand provides the forward driving pressure, while the left hand maintains contact with the opponent's hilt throughout the rotation
- ✦ The rotation must be 'tonda' (round/circular). a complete smooth circle, not a jerky or incomplete motion
- ✦ Left-hand following the rotation is critical, as it ensures control and completion of the disarm
- ✦ Practice the circular motion slowly at first to build muscle memory for the complete rotation
- ✦ The forward pressure (cargando/carrying) must be maintained throughout, don't just push and release
- ✦ This is described as follows: 'the path of the others', so consistency in circular mechanics across all three disarms is important for mastery
Related Techniques
This is card FL78 from the Fiore dei Liberi Sword In Two Hands deck.
Get the full deck of 78 physical training cards.
Get the deck →Next deck: Fiore Dagger - ~35 cards, in development.
[30v-b] ¶ Questo e un'altro tor de spada chiamado sottano. Per simele modo se tole questa como fa lo sottano e'l soprano zoe cum tale voltar de spada. Per lo camino dele altre questa vada. Cum la mane dritta cargando inanci una volta tonda cum lo mantenir. E la mane stancha la volta tonda debia seguir.
This is another sword disarm, named the low disarm. The low disarm is performed in a similar way to the high disarm, with the same rotation of the opponent’s sword, following the same path. With your right hand you press his blade forwards, making his sword handle rotate upwards, and you must keep your left hand on his handle as it turns.
[15v-c] Questo e uno altro tor de spada, chiamado sottano per tal modo se to aquesta, como fa lo soprano, e sotano zoe cum tal voltar de spada. Per lo camino dele altre aquesta vada. Cum la mane dritta cargando innanci volta tonda cum lo mantenir. E lla mane stancha la volta tonda debia seguir.
This is another taking of the sword, called Below: make this one in the same way as you do those from above and from [the middle][26]—that is, with a turn of the sword. This one follows the way of the others, with the right hand carrying forward a full rotation with the hilt, and the left hand should follow with a full turn.
[24a-d] Aquesto e lo tor de spada desoto Ben lo fara chi'e magistro in l'arte doto
This is the taking of the sword from below: It will be made well by whoever is a gifted Master in the art.
[29v-b] ¶ Inferiore loco capitur sic ensis acutus. Quod faceret quicumque manet[27] hac arte peritus.
The sharp sword is seized thus in the lower position, Because a skilled person in this art would make anything endure.