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Rule 11 — In a Wide Street, Attacked on Both Sides

Source Text

Positioned in the middle of the street, keeping in step with Rule Ten — inasmuch as it deals with moving the feet, positioned sideways and armed on the left foot — play a tajo with all possible vigor, putting the right foot to the other side, and turn the left foot in a wheel with another tajo, not bending the body, but upright, extending the arms as much as you can. Finishing the two tajos, turn to those that remain on the right side and thrust nails-up. At the end of it, turn with another two steps of right and left foot, cutting two reveses to the side where you had started, in the form of the tajos, and at the end of them, turn to thrust nails-down to those that remain on the left side.

Note that these thrusts do not fall directly to the right or left side if the steps and blows are odd, because if they are like this, said thrust always falls to one side. Because of this you have to make two or four blows, and no more, because of the danger to the head (as dealt with in Rule Ten). The thrusts are very necessary because the blows of tajo and reves are armed from them. Take note that due to that, they do not have to be made in two times to wit: tajo and thrust, reves and thrust — but at the end of the tajo, when it returns, finish it with said thrust. The thrust is thrown so that those opponents that pursue you as you pursue the others have to keep their distance. The thrust is allowed here because the opponents are not in a circle, but to the side.

It is neither necessary for the person to bend, nor circle the body with the montante, as he doesn't have opponents in a circle; if it had been like this, it wouldn't be necessary to distinguish from Rule Ten. This is to give each thing its own place and to make nothing hidden.

Summary

When positioned in the middle of a street and following the principles outlined in Rule Ten, defend yourself using the montante by following these steps:

  1. Starting Position: Stand sideways, with your body aligned in a position that is armed on the left foot, as instructed in Rule Ten. Keep your body upright, avoiding any bending, and prepare to extend your arms fully.
  2. Initial Attack — Tajos: Play a strong, vigorous tajo while stepping with your right foot to the opposite side. As you complete this first tajo, turn on your left foot, executing another tajo in a circular motion, extending your arms as much as possible. Ensure that your body remains upright throughout this motion, maximizing the reach and effectiveness of your strikes.
  3. Thrust to the Right: After completing the two tajos, turn to face any opponents on your right side and deliver a nails-up thrust. This thrust is crucial for keeping the opponents at bay and preventing them from closing in.
  4. Follow-Up — Reveses: Following the thrust, take two more steps — right foot then left — and deliver two reveses to the side where you started. These reveses should mirror the form of the tajos, keeping your movements fluid and controlled.
  5. Thrust to the Left: After the reveses, turn to face the remaining opponents on your left side and deliver a nails-down thrust. This thrust should be executed immediately after the reveses, ensuring continuous pressure on your opponents.
  6. Considerations: The thrusts should not fall directly to either side if the number of steps and strikes is odd. To maintain balance and prevent exposure to counterattacks, perform either two or four strikes (tajo and reves) before executing a thrust. The thrusts are essential not only for defense but also for arming your subsequent tajos and reveses. Ensure that the thrusts are executed as part of a continuous motion, immediately following the tajo or reves, rather than as separate actions.
  7. Adapting to the Situation: Since your opponents are not encircling you but are positioned to your sides, you do not need to bend or circle your body with the montante. This technique is specifically adapted for situations where opponents are on either side rather than surrounding you, making it distinct from the actions described in Rule Ten.