The Weekly Warfare   Musings martial from across the SCA

Marozzo describes a progression from guard to guard, to be used as drill, much like a kata of Eastern martial arts

Guard 1:

Start in Guardia di Coda Lunga e Stretta, with the buckler held out in front of the body with the arm extended, sword point towards opponent’s face, right foot forward.

Attack with a mandritta squalembratto (a right-side diagonal downward cut) and pass the left foot forward

Guard 2:

Cinghiara Porta di Ferro Stretta, with the buckler close to the body and high, sword in a broad-low ward.

Attack with a falso manco (false-edge backhand cut) and pass the right foot forward.

Guard 3:

Guardia Alta, the buckler should be out in front of the body with the arm extended vertically.

Pass the left foot forward and cut downwards (fendente) with the sword.

Guard 4:

Guardia di Coda Lunga e Alta, with the buckler remaining extended and sword in low ward

Attack with a mandritta fendente (right-side vertical cut) and pass the right foot forward

Guard 5:

Porta di Ferro Stretta, the buckler close and high, the sword in broad ward pointing down

Pass the left foot forward and extend the sword out behind the body.

Guard 6:

Guardia di Coda Lunga e Distesa.  The buckler should be extended.

Pass the right foot forward and make a falso dritto (an oblique upwards cut with the false edge of the blade)

Guard 7:

Guardia di Testa (Head Guard), with arm straight and to the right, and the sword obliquely pointing to the left

Pass the left foot forward and attack with a punta roversa (thrust with the hand in quarta)

Guard 8:

Guardia d’Intrare, with hand extended in second

Pass the right foot forward and attack with a roversa squalembratto (a left-side diagonal downward cut)

Guard 9:

Guardia di Coda Lunga e Larga.  Sword at your hip, tip pointing downward

Pass the left foot forward and raise the sword.

Guard 10:

Guardia di Becca Possa, with sword in high prime

Pass the right foot forward and attack with a point thrust (palm should be up).

Guard 11:

Guardi di Faccia, with sword at face level in quarta

Pass back two steps and raise sword

Guard 12:

Guardia di Becca Cesa.

END