Narrow Play - Verse 70
Grip opponent's sword arm and twist to disarm or lock
Translation
This technique is adapted from the first remedy master of the dagger section. When your opponent attacks, place your left hand over his right forearm (the sword-bearing arm), gripping near the wrist. Rotate his arm outward to strip the sword from his hand. Alternatively, you can apply a middle lock (second dagger play) to control his weapon arm. The action mirrors the dagger technique, where you grip below the dagger to disarm; here, you grip the sword arm in the same manner.
Fiore's Words
I learned this play from the dagger master's art, where he grips the wrist to tear the blade apart. My left hand seizes your right arm with intent, twisting outward till your sword and strength are spent. Or I'll bind your arm in a middle lock instead, leaving you disarmed, your weapon and your edge both dead. With your sword I strike back at your very shoulder's bone, or I pierce you through, or trap your arms alone.
Combat Context
A remedy for narrow play when you are under pressure from an opponent's attack. You intercept their sword arm before they can complete their action, seizing control by attacking the limb rather than the weapon. This requires good timing to catch the arm during their attack. Once you establish the grip, you have multiple finishing options depending on their resistance and position.
Training Notes
- ✦ Your left hand must firmly secure the opponent's right forearm, gripping near the wrist for maximum leverage on the weapon.
- ✦ The rotation should be outward (supinating the opponent's grip) to break their hold on the sword naturally.
- ✦ This technique requires closing distance; you must be in a narrow play range to reach their weapon arm.
- ✦ Practice the decision point between continuing the disarm and transitioning to the middle lock based on opponent resistance.
- ✦ If disarm succeeds, immediately follow with counterattacks: strike with their own sword to their shoulder, thrust, or control their arms.
- ✦ The middle lock alternative is useful when the opponent resists the disarm; you can flow directly into arm control.
- ✦ Study the referenced dagger plays (first remedy master, second play) to understand the biomechanics that transfer to the sword.
Related Techniques
This is card FL70 from the Fiore dei Liberi Sword In Two Hands deck.
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[29v-b] ¶ Questo zogho e tolto del zogho dela daga çoe del primo magistro rimedio, che come ello mette la mane stancha sotto la daga per torgella de mane, per lo simile questo scolaro gli mette la mano stancha sotto la mane dritta del zugadore per trargli la spada di mano. Overo ch'ello mettera in ligadura mezana come lo secondo zogho ch'e dredo lo primo magistro rimedio di daga ch'e ditto denanzi. E quella ligadura si'e di questo scolaro.
This play is taken from the first play of the First Dagger Remedy Master, who places his left hand over the opponent’s wrist[14] to take the dagger from his hand. In similar fashion the student here places his left hand over the opponent’s right forearm, rotating it outwards to remove the sword from his right hand…[15]
[27v-a] ¶ Ense tuo proprios disco referire lacertos. Aut te percutiam. simul hoc[16] vel brachia claudam.[17]
Using the sword to strike back, I become acquainted with your very own shoulder, Or I would pierce you, or even at once I would confine this <that> arms.