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Rule 9 — Having People in Front in a Wide Street

Source Text

The montante positioned in the manner said in Chapter Three, being attacked by many in front in a wide street, one begins with much speed to cut all the tajos that his speed will allow in the middle height to one of the sides, the left foot always traveling to the other point of the opponents, in a manner that one starts on the right side and finishes on the left. Note how I say that the left foot is that which moves, and then the right after, being placed each time in front of the left, gaining ground. As the last tajo arrives, the montante remains withdrawn in a half tajo, lifting the quillons close and straight to the head with the point to the floor, with the arms turned over in the manner of a reves.

Take note that all this has to be in one single time, and in this same time, one turns with reveses in the manner of the tajos in the middle of the body, traveling to the right side with the right foot in front and the left after, gaining ground ahead of the right. Upon reaching the last opponent's side, the last reves ends withdrawn in the air in the mode of the tajo; no more, no less. Then one begins another step with tajos like the first, and another step with reveses like the second, and as many more as necessary for the battle, keeping in all to the order of the two steps of tajo and reves I declared.

Summary

To defend yourself with a montante when being attacked by many opponents in front of you on a wide street:

  1. Position the montante as instructed in Chapter Three, ready to begin your defense.
  2. Initiate the defense with speed: Start by cutting as many tajos as your speed allows, targeting the middle height of the opponents on one side. Focus on moving the left foot to the opposite side of your opponents, starting on the right and finishing on the left.
  3. Footwork: As you cut the tajos, your left foot moves first, followed by your right, with each step bringing the right foot in front of the left. This footwork allows you to gain ground toward the opponents.
  4. Finishing the tajos: When you reach the last tajo, the montante should remain in a half tajo position, with the quillons close to and aligned with your head, and the point angled toward the floor. Your arms should be turned over in the manner of preparing for a reves.
  5. Switch to reveses: Without pausing, turn and deliver reveses in the same middle height, moving toward the right side. This time, your right foot leads, followed by the left, again gaining ground with each step.
  6. Conclude the reveses: Upon reaching the last opponent on the right, end the final reves in a similar position as the tajo, with the montante raised in the air.
  7. Repeat as needed: Continue alternating between steps of tajos and reveses, following the same footwork pattern, until the battle is concluded.

Throughout this sequence, ensure that each movement is made in a single, fluid time, transitioning seamlessly from tajos to reveses and maintaining control of the ground you gain with each step.