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Rule 5 — Against Two Shieldmen

Source Text

Taking hold of the montante in the manner of Chapter Three, and having the opponents in front, throw a tajo to the one on the right side, putting the right foot towards him. The tajo cuts until it reaches the opponent on the left side. When the tajo cuts, the foot that you put to that side is lifted and placed in front of the left at the same time, so that you may more easily reach the opponent on the left side.

When the tajo cuts in the above form, it does not have to stop until it turns to a half reves above your head, the point of the montante ending nails-up at the right side enemy, toward the floor so that the opponent doesn't slip in below, and the quillons high so that they defend the head from the blow that the shieldman might play.

Note that the tajo, including putting in the foot, placing it in front of the left, and the turn with the tajo until stopping in said posture, all has to be made in one single time, no more, no less. The passage of time is the same as the rule against one shieldman.

Note that when it says two shieldmen, it is understood that it's the same for more, until the street is filled.

Having made this step, put the left foot to the same side and play reves that cuts through to those on the right side, lifting the left foot and putting it in front of the right. The reves will not stop until it turns above the head with the point nails-down at the opponents on the same side, and the point inclined toward the floor, so that the opponent doesn't slip in below. Take note that the reves, the putting in and removing of the foot, and arming the point all have to be in one single time.

Note that the point that you arm nails-down necessarily has to be turned in order to arm the reves, which would be made in two times if not done in this form, and in the declared order, it is no more than one.

The turn of the blow is very necessary to arm said points, which serve to parry the blows that the opponents are able to give as soon as the montante passes, and the posture of the point impedes the entrance below the montante; this should be done quickly. Many other rules can be given, but this is not the place for them. The two steps of left and right foot made, repeat as long as the battle lasts. As well, if there were more than two shieldmen, one could cut with tajos to the legs and return with reveses, in the manner of Rule Nine.

Summary

To engage multiple opponents in front using the montante:

  1. Grip the montante as described in Chapter Three, facing the opponents.
  2. Execute a tajo toward the opponent on the right, stepping toward him with your right foot. The tajo should cut through and continue toward the opponent on the left. As you cut, lift your right foot and place it in front of your left foot to more easily reach the left-side opponent.
  3. Turn the tajo into a half reves above your head, with the point of the montante ending nails-up toward the right-side opponent and pointing downward. This position prevents the opponent from slipping underneath, while the quillons are raised to protect your head from a possible strike by a shieldman.

This entire sequence — executing the tajo, stepping with the foot, turning into a reves, and positioning the montante — must be done in one fluid motion.

  1. Next, step with your left foot to the left side and perform a reves, cutting through to the opponents on the right. Lift your left foot and place it in front of the right as you cut. The reves should not stop until it turns above your head, with the point nails-down toward the right-side opponents, again pointed downward to prevent an opponent from slipping underneath.

As with the tajo, the reves, foot movements, and arming the point must all be done in a single, continuous motion.

The quick turn of the blow is essential to prepare these defensive positions, which help to parry any incoming attacks and prevent opponents from slipping under the montante. Continue this sequence — alternating between tajo and reves with the corresponding footwork — as long as the battle lasts.

If facing more than two shieldmen, adapt by cutting to the legs with tajos and returning with reveses, similar to the technique described in Rule Nine.