Short Guard
Guards 9/12 - Verse 21
Mobile thrust-seeking guard with extended blade
Translation
The Shortened Stance is a guard held with the sword extended long in front of the body. Despite its name referring to shortness, it positions the sword at length. This is a deceptive, aggressive guard that lacks stability; it should not be held statically. Instead, the practitioner constantly moves, watching for opportunities to enter with a thrust and a passing step against the opponent. This guard is more effective when worn in armour than without.
Fiore's Words
I am the Shortened Stance, and I hold my sword long; I'm a malicious guard, in me you can't stay strong. I'm always moving, searching for my chance to strike, with point and step, I enter when the moment's right. In armour I'm most fitting, where my cunning thrives. Often I thrust forward, then with cunning I survive.
Combat Context
An aggressive, probing stance is used to pressure the opponent and create openings for thrusts. The extended sword threatens constantly while the practitioner's mobility prevents the opponent from settling into their own guard. More effective in armor where the practitioner can take greater risks with forward pressure without fear of counter-cuts. The lack of stability is intentional. This is not a defensive guard but an offensive one that transitions quickly into attacks.
Training Notes
- ✦ Do not settle into a static position. This guard requires constant small movements and adjustments
- ✦ Extend the sword point toward the opponent while maintaining readiness to thrust
- ✦ Watch the opponent's movements and openings while moving; this is an active searching guard
- ✦ Practice the entry: when you see the opening, commit with both the point and the passing step together
- ✦ In armoured training, note how the protection allows more aggressive forward pressure
- ✦ After thrusting (per verse sources), practice recovering quickly with evasive footwork or blade action
- ✦ The deceptive quality comes from the extended blade creating threatening pressure while you remain mobile and uncommitted
This is card FL21 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.
· Posta breve stabile · [24r-c] ¶ Questa si e posta breve che vole longa spada & e maliciosa guarda che non a stabilita. Anche sempre si move e vede se po entrar cum punta e cum passo contra Lo compagno. E piu e apropiada tal guardia in arme che senz'arme.
This is the Short Guard that is more effective with a longer sword. It is a deceptive guard but it is risky to wait in. It is constantly moving, trying to see if it can enter with a thrust and a step against the opponent. And this guard is more effective in armor than without armor.
[13r-a] Questa si e posta breve che vole longa spada, ed e una maliciosa guarda che non ha stabilita. Anche sempre se move, e guarda se po intrar cum punta e con passo contra lo compagno, e piu e apropiada tal guardia in arme che senza arme.
This is the Shortened Stance, which wants a long sword, and she is a malicious guard which doesn't have stability. Also, she always moves and watches to see if she can enter with her point and with a step against her companion, and more appropriate is this guard in armor than without armor.
[19a-a] Io son posta breve e o de spada lungeça Spesso meto punta e in lei torno in freça
I am the Shortened Stance and I hold my sword long; Often I thrust the point and then return with cunning.
[13v-a] ¶ Sum situs hic brevior. longumque remetior[48] ensem. Cuspide sepe[49] minor. illuc tamen inde revertor(?).
I am this, the Shorter Position, and I go back over the long sword. I often threaten with the point; nevertheless, thenceforth I return thither.