Sottano Sinestra
The Rising Cut from the Left
Sottano Sinestra is the sixth of Fiore's seven blows. It is a rising diagonal cut delivered from the left side, traveling upward from low on the left toward the opponent's right shoulder, head, or arms.
For the modern fencer, the Sottano Sinestra carries the same core principle as its right-side counterpart — the attack from below is the hardest to see — but brings it to the left line, where the opponent's right side offers its own distinct vulnerabilities.
Together with the Sottano Destra, the left-side rising cut completes a bilateral system of upward attacks that can pressure opponents from any direction and counter descending cuts from either side.
Physical Description
Path of the Blade
The Sottano Sinestra begins low on the left side, most commonly from Dente di Zenghiaro Sinestra or Coda Longa Sinestra.
From this position, the blade travels diagonally upward from the left hip toward the opponent's right side — targeting the chin, jaw, right arm, or right shoulder. The trajectory is the direct inverse of the Fendente Sinestra and the mirror of the Sottano Destra.
Body Mechanics
The mechanics are identical to the Sottano Destra, reversed for the opposite side.
The rear leg drives forward and upward, the hips extend, and the arms carry the blade along the rising left line. The body should feel like it is launching upward, not swinging sideways. The left leg initiates the push, the hips follow, and the blade rides the body extension to its target.
The same forward step accompanies the delivery, closing distance as the blade rises. The stored energy of the left-side low guard releases into the cut.
Ending Position
The Sottano Sinestra finishes high on the left side. Common ending positions include Posta Frontale or Posta Corona, with the blade elevated and the structure intact.
It may also carry into Posta di Fenestra Sinestra or Posta di Donna Sinestra, positioning the fencer for an immediate left-side descending follow-up.
Tactical Function
The Sottano Sinestra targets the opponent's right side — a line often less protected than the left.
Its tactical function mirrors the Destra: surprising the opponent with an attack from below their primary line of defense, countering descending cuts by rising into the delivering arms, and exploiting guards that hold the hands high.
The left-side rising cut adds one specific dimension: the opponent's right arm is typically their weapon arm. A Sottano Sinestra that connects with the right forearm or wrist directly disrupts their ability to continue attacking.
Modern Application
In modern fencing, the Sottano Sinestra is rarely trained to the same standard as the right-side rising cut. Like most left-side techniques, it tends to be weaker, slower, and less practiced.
This is exactly the gap an opponent will exploit if they are paying attention.
The Sottano Sinestra is most valuable when used in combination with the Destra. A right-side rising cut draws the opponent's attention and defensive commitment to their left. The left-side rising cut arrives into the unprotected right line immediately after, before the recovery is complete.
It is also specifically effective against right-handed opponents who over-commit their weapon arm forward — the left-side rising cut targets that arm directly.
Connection to Guards
Primary Starting Guards
Coda Longa Sinestra provides the most natural and powerful starting position. The rear-weighted low chamber on the left side stores the same explosive energy as its right-side counterpart.
Dente di Zenghiaro Sinestra also generates the rising cut directly from the low left position.
Any low guard on the left side — including the Porta di Ferro variations — can support the Sottano Sinestra.
Ending Guards
The cut finishes most commonly in Posta Frontale or Posta Corona with the blade elevated.
From there, the fencer may deliver a Fendente Sinestra immediately, completing a rising-then-descending combination on the left side that attacks two opposite planes in sequence.
Connection to the Four Virtues
The Sottano Sinestra expresses the same virtues as the Destra, with one additional emphasis.
The Lion demands equal commitment on the left side. A tentative left-side rising cut carries no tactical weight. It must be delivered with the same explosive intent as the right.
The Tiger governs speed. The left-side rising cut must arrive before the opponent covers the right line. Without speed, the tactical advantage of the left-side attack disappears.
The Elephant provides the stable base from which the leg drive originates. The left-side version requires particular attention to stance — the dominant leg on the non-dominant side must support the same explosive push.
The Lynx reads whether the opponent's right side has been left open, and delivers the cut only when the line is available.
Common Tactics
The Sottano Sinestra works best in bilateral combination with the Sottano Destra.
Begin from a low central position. Deliver the Sottano Destra, rising upward to the right and finishing high. Return to a low guard on the left side and immediately deliver the Sottano Sinestra, rising to the left. Continue alternating.
This pattern creates continuous upward pressure from both sides and is extremely difficult to defend against an opponent who is accustomed to protecting only the high line.
The Sottano Sinestra is also effective as a counter-strike against opponents who deliver a Fendente Sinestra or other descending cut from the left — the rising cut meets their descending arms before the blow completes.
What This Cut Is Not For
The Sottano Sinestra shares the limitations of the Destra. It does not work against a very low guard, it requires genuine leg drive to generate force, and it demands that the left side be trained to equal proficiency.
It is also not a finishing technique in isolation. The cut rises through its target and ends high — a follow-up action must be ready immediately after, whether a descending strike or a transition to a new guard.
Finally, the Sottano Sinestra must not be weaker than the Destra. An opponent who senses that the left-side rising cut lacks commitment will ignore it and defend only the right. Both cuts must be credible for either to be effective.
Training the Cut
Drill 1 — Bilateral Rising Cuts
Begin from a low central guard.
Deliver the Sottano Destra, stepping forward and rising through to a high guard on the right.
Return to a low guard on the left side, then deliver the Sottano Sinestra, stepping forward and rising through to a high guard on the left.
Repeat ten complete cycles — twenty rising cuts total — focusing on matching the mechanics of both sides. The left cut should feel as explosive and complete as the right by the end of the drill.
Drill 2 — Counter-Strike from the Left
One fencer assumes a low left guard. The partner delivers a slow Fendente Sinestra or other left-side descending cut.
As the partner's blade begins to descend, the fencer delivers the Sottano Sinestra, rising upward into the descending right arms.
Begin slowly. The timing is the lesson — the rising cut must be launched at the correct moment to intercept the descending arms before the blow completes.
Repeat ten times, then switch roles.
Common Errors
The most common error is a weaker left-side cut. Both rising cuts must be equally committed. Address this by isolating the left side in practice until it matches the right.
Another mistake is failing to drive the cut with the legs. An arm-only rising cut from the left is particularly weak because the dominant-side muscles are not engaged. The legs must initiate the motion.
Some students also lose the diagonal trajectory — allowing the left-side rising cut to flatten into more of a horizontal motion rather than a genuine upward arc. The blade must travel diagonally upward to reach its intended targets.
Key Idea
The Sottano Sinestra completes the bilateral system of rising cuts.
Where the Destra rises from the right, the Sinestra rises from the left. Together they create upward pressure across the full width of the opponent's structure, attacking from below the line of sight on both sides.
A fencer who can rise from either low guard has closed the last gap in the seven blows. There is no remaining line — high, middle, or low — that cannot be threatened from both directions.