Wide Play - Verse 36
Kick opponent's groin, counter by catching and throwing
Translation
This is a counter technique performed during wide play when you cross swords with your opponent. Strike your opponent in the groin with your right foot to cause pain and make their cover falter. Execute this kick quickly to prevent them from countering you. The counter to this technique must also be done quickly: as the opponent kicks, catch their right leg with your left hand and throw them to the ground.
Fiore's Words
When I cross with you and come to a narrow play, I strike your groin with my right foot without delay. This blow I make to hurt you so your cover breaks. Do it fast, or face the counter that your foe makes. The counter comes quick if you would not fall: Catch his kicking leg with your left hand's call, Seize that right leg firm as he strikes at you, And throw him hard to earth, that's what you do.
Combat Context
This technique occurs during the crossing of swords in wide play, particularly when transitioning to close quarters (narrow play). The attacker uses the kick to disrupt the opponent's defensive posture through pain and distraction, creating an opening for further action. The defender must react instantly to catch the kicking leg before it connects or withdraws, converting the opponent's committed attack into a throw. This represents the dynamic, opportunistic nature of wide play, where unconventional strikes can break the opponent's guard.
Training Notes
- ✦ Practice the kick with control. Use light contact or protective equipment when training with partners.
- ✦ The kick should be executed while maintaining sword control and awareness of the bind.
- ✦ For the counter: timing is critical. The catch must occur as the leg extends, before full power is delivered.
- ✦ When catching the leg, grab firmly behind the knee or on the shin, not the foot, for better control.
- ✦ After catching the leg, push or pull to disrupt balance while lifting, the opponent is standing on one leg and vulnerable.
- ✦ This technique requires good distance judgment: too close, the kick lacks power; too far, you can't maintain the crossing.
- ✦ Practice both roles to understand the timing and commitment required for each.
Related Techniques
This is card FL36 from the Fiore dei Liberi Sword In Two Hands deck.
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[26r-d] ¶ Questo partido che io ti fiero cum lo pe in li cogloni el fazo per far te doglia e per far te svariare la coverta. Che fazando questo zogho vol esser fatto subito, per non avere del contrario dubito. Lo contrario di questo zogo vol esser presto fatto, zoe che lo zugador de piglare per la gamba dritta lo scolaro cum sua mano stancha, e in terra lo po buttare.
This play, where I strike you with a kick to the groin, is made to hurt you so much that your cover will falter. When you make this play you should do it quickly, to prevent your opponent from being able to counter it. The counter to this play must be done quickly, and is made by the player grabbing the student’s right leg with his left hand, and then throwing him to the ground.
[14v-b] Aquesto partito che io te fiero cum lo pe in gli coglura el fazo per farte doia, e per farte svariarte la coverta che fazando questo zogo vole essere fato subito, per non aver dello contrario dubito. Lo contrario de questo zogo vole essere presto fatto zoe che lo zugadore de piglare per la gamba dritta lo scolaro, cum sua mane stancha e in terra lo po butare.
In this match I strike you with my foot in your testicles, and I do it to give you pain and to make your cover waver. Thus, in making this play I want to do it suddenly so that the counter is doubtful. The counter of this play wants to be made quickly, such that the player should catch the Scholar by the right leg with his left hand, and then he can throw him to the ground.
[20b-b] Quando io me incroso cum uno e'vegno al'streto Entro li chogiuni el fiero cum lo pe drito
When I am crossed with someone and come to the narrow, I strike his testicles with my right foot.