Tooth Splitter (fendenti)
Cuts - Verse 8
Fast descending cuts from high to low, recovering same path
Translation
The downward blows (fendenti) are powerful descending cuts delivered from high to low, targeting the opponent from the teeth down to the knee. These strikes are executed swiftly and without hesitation. After delivering a fendente, the fighter returns to guard using the same path of motion (back the way they came). The fendenti are particularly effective at breaking through an opponent's guards, especially the lower guards, and each blow is delivered with precision and intent to wound. The technique emphasises the transition: strike quickly, draw blood, and recover to a safe guard position along the same line of attack.
Fiore's Words
We are the downward blows, and in this art we make our case: To cleave from teeth to knee with calculated grace. We end in any low guard with ease, breaking other guards effectively as we please. With every strike, we leave a bloody trail. We hit fast and hard; we never fail. And when our work is done, we don't delay: We return to guard back the very same way.
Combat Context
The fendente is used to break through an opponent's guard, particularly effective against middle and high guards. The descending nature of the cut naturally leads into low guard positions, setting up the next action. The emphasis on speed and immediate recovery suggests this is both an offensive strike and a way to safely probe or break the opponent's defence before they can counter. The 'same path' recovery provides protection during withdrawal.
Training Notes
- ✦ The target zone is specific: from the opponent's teeth down to their knee, requiring body mechanics that can reach both high and low.
- ✦ Speed is emphasised repeatedly, strike without delay or hesitation.
- ✦ The recovery is critical: return to guard along the same line of attack ('back the way you came'), which provides defensive structure.
- ✦ Practice transitioning into any low guard after the cut, as this versatility is part of the technique's effectiveness.
- ✦ The fendente should be delivered with enough force and precision to break through the opponent's guards, not just as a probing action.
- ✦ Focus on the complete cycle: strike swiftly, wound, return to guard immediately along the same path.
This is card FL08 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.
· Colpi Fendenti · [23r-a] ¶ Noii semo fendenti & in l'arte façemo questione de fender gli denti e rivar alo zinochio cum rasone. E ogni guardia che si fa terrena, D'una guardia in l'altra andamo senza pena. E rompemo le guardie cum inzegno. E cum colpi fazemo de sangue segno. Noi fendenti dello ferir non avemo tardo. E tornamo in guardia di vargo in vargo.
We are the downward blows.[13] In this art our method is to cut with precision[14] from the teeth down to the knee. And we can easily end up in any of the low guards. We are highly effective[15] in breaking the other guards, and with each blow we leave a trail[16] of blood. We downward blows strike fast, and thereafter we return to our guard back the way we came.
[12b-e] Noii semo fendenti, e façemo questione De fender gli denti cum drita raxione Noii del ferir non avemo tardo E tornamo in guardia de vargo in vargo
We are downward blows and we dispute By cleaving the teeth with proper intention: We have not delayed in wounding And we return to guard from move to move.