Wide Play - Verse 31
Seize blade at crossing, strike or stomp knee
Translation
When you are crossed at mid-sword with your opponent, immediately advance forward and seize his sword at the bind point. From this seizure, strike him with either a cut or a thrust. Additionally, you can destroy his leg by stomping with your foot against the side of his knee joint or below the kneecap.
Fiore's Words
My master who came before me taught me well: When crossed at half-sword, hear what I shall tell, Advance at once and grab his blade in hand, Then cut or thrust as tactics may demand. Or stomp his knee from the side or front below. Before his sword escapes, I'll lay him low, And treat him like the vilest knave I know.
Combat Context
This technique applies when blades cross at mid-sword distance, typically after an initial exchange has brought you into close measure. The crossing creates a moment of blade contact where you can trap the opponent's weapon while simultaneously threatening multiple finishing actions. Most effective when you feel pressure or commitment in the opponent's blade at the crossing.
Training Notes
- ✦ The advance must be immediate upon feeling the crossing - timing is critical to secure the opponent's blade before they can disengage
- ✦ Grip the opponent's blade near the crossing point with your free hand, controlling both swords together
- ✦ After seizing, you have multiple finishing options: cut with your sword, thrust with your sword, or stomp the knee
- ✦ For the leg destruction, target the side of the knee joint (medial or lateral) or strike downward below the kneecap - do not attempt to stomp the back of the leg as this is ineffective
- ✦ The seizure must be secure before attempting the strike or stomp, as noted in Pisani-Dossi: act before the sword escapes your hand
- ✦ This is a close-range technique requiring commitment - the advance into the crossing puts you at risk if the seizure fails
Related Techniques
The second scholar demonstrates the technique
Kick opponent's groin, counter by catching and throwing
Pass left, grab their sword, strike while controlling it
Descending cut beats thrust down, then close to grapple
Stomp opponent's grounded sword, strike neck, cut arms
Pin enemy blade with foot, cut to head
Turn opponent by elbow, cut or thrust their exposed back
Mirror opponent's sword turn while passing left to thrust
This is card FL31 from the Fiore dei Liberi Sword In Two Hands deck.
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[25v-c] ¶ El mio magistro ch'e denanzi m'a insegnado che quando a meza spada io son cum uno incrosado che subito mi debia acresser inanci, e piglar la sua spada a questo partido per ferirlo taglo o punta. Anchora gli posso guastar la gamba per lo modo che possi vedere qui depento a ferirlo cum lo pe sopra la schena dela gamba overo sotto lo zinochio.
My master previously[8] instructed me that when I am crossed at mid-swords with my opponent, I should immediately advance forward and seize his sword as shown, and then strike him with a cut or a thrust.[9] Also I could destroy his leg as you see drawn next, by stomping with my foot against the side of his knee or under the kneecap.[10]
[14r-a] Ello mio magistro che m'e denanci m'a insegnato che[11] quando a meza spada io son cum uno incrosado che subito me debia acresere in denanci e piglare la sua spada a questo partito, per ferirlo taglo, o punta. Anchora gle posso guastare la gamba per lo modo che voi possete vedere aqui dipento a ferirlo cum pe sopra la schena della gamba, overo sotto lo zinochio.
My Master who came before has taught me that when I am crossed at the mid-sword, I should immediately advance forward and grab his sword (as in this match) in order to strike him with edge or point. Also, I can waste his leg in the way that you will be able to see depicted hereafter by striking with my foot over the back of his leg or under his knee.
[20a-a] Anchora per quello proprio incrosare Tua spada per questo modo io ho a'pigliare E de'innaçi[!] che tua spada me escha de'mano De ferir te tractaro como croiio villano
Also from this same crossing I have grasped your sword in this way: And before your sword escapes my hand, By striking I will deal with you like a foul villain.