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Rule 4 — Against a Shieldman

Source Text

Take hold of the montante in the manner of Chapter Three and, putting in the right foot, play a tajo to the legs of the Shieldman. The tajo until it turns above your head, and the montante ends armed for a reves, nails-up with the point to the floor, the quillons covering your head. Then, putting in the left foot, play a reves to the legs, giving a turn with the montante until it stops above your head with the point to the floor and the quillons covering your head. The point that ends at the floor like this has to be nails-down, because then the tajo is armed. With these two steps of tajo and reves, give battle as long as it will be necessary.

Note that the points that I make mention of in this rule are not committed thrusts, just armed, so that the shieldman does not slip in below. Because of that, they are positioned toward the floor like this, and time is not wasted on them, as in order to have a tajo or reves armed, the montante necessarily has to be turned in that manner, making two movements. In the manner pointed out, only one movement is made.

Summary

To engage a Shieldman using the montante, follow these steps:

  1. Hold the montante as described in Chapter Three, with the right foot advanced.
  2. Execute a tajo aimed at the Shieldman's left side. The tajo should be delivered with the montante moving over your head, ending in a position ready for a reves, with the point facing downward and the quillons protecting your head.
  3. Step in with the left foot and perform a reves targeting the legs. Turn the montante until it is positioned above your head with the point downward and quillons again covering your head. Ensure the point is nails-down to prepare for the tajo.

This combination of tajo and reves is intended for defense and positioning rather than committed thrusts, preventing the Shieldman from slipping past your defenses. By using this approach, you execute only one movement for each action, making it more efficient. Continue using these steps as needed throughout the battle.