Narrow Play - Verse 66
Sword around neck, throw opponent down
Translation
This technique continues from the previous play (verse 51). After the scholar has struck the opponent several times while controlling their arms and sword with his left arm, he now throws his own sword around the opponent's neck. With the sword encircling the neck and the opponent's arms still controlled, the scholar throws them to the ground to complete the technique.
Fiore's Words
From the play before, this play now unfolds: When the scholar has struck his foe well and true, keeping the arms and sword bound tight with his left hand crew, he throws his sword around the neck as you see here in view. And sets him in this position: If I throw him to the ground, the play I've seen through.
Combat Context
This play represents an advanced finishing technique in narrow play after successfully controlling an opponent's sword and striking them. The scholar has achieved complete dominance and now transitions from striking to throwing using the sword as a choking/throwing tool around the neck. This would be used when the opponent is sufficiently compromised that they cannot effectively resist the throwing action.
Training Notes
- ✦ This is a continuation technique - ensure control of the opponent's arms is maintained from the previous action before attempting the throw
- ✦ The sword goes around the neck while still holding it - this requires releasing one hand or using the sword as a lever
- ✦ The throw is completed by pulling back on the sword around the neck, while potentially sweeping or unbalancing the opponent
- ✦ Practice maintaining the arm bind with the left arm throughout the transition to throwing the sword around the neck
- ✦ The technique assumes the opponent is already compromised from previous strikes and control
Related Techniques
This is card FL66 from the Fiore dei Liberi Sword In Two Hands deck.
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[29r-b] ¶ Del zogho che denançi si fa questo zogho, che quando lo scolaro a ben ferido lo zugadore tegnando gli brazzi cum la spada ben ligadi cum lo suo brazzo mancho la sua spada gli buta al collo e metilo in questo partito. Se io lo butto in terra lo zogho o complito.
This play follows on from the previous one, where the student struck his opponent multiple times while using his left arm to keep the opponent’s arms and sword pinned. Now I throw my sword at my opponent’s neck as depicted. Then I throw him to the ground to complete the play.