Translation
I also say that when a scholar is in the narrow play and sees he can not injure the player with his sword, he should grapple with the sword in this way. That is, the scholar must throw his sword around the neck of the player and must put his foot behind the players left foot and throw him to the right onto the ground.
Interpretation
As a translation note, the last sentence of the transcript says ‘…lo suo pe’ dritto debia metter dredo lo pe’ stancho del zugadore…’ which really translates as ‘…put his right foot behind the players left foot…’ The picture clearly shows the left being used, and also trying to use your right foot to do this makes no sense. I have assumed that when Fiore wrote ‘right foot’, he was having a lapse of concentration. In translating this, I simply left the word out altogether.
The 11th scholar comes from the narrow play when you are in the bind with your opponent, each seeking an advantage. With your right hand raised, move your left foot back and forwards again in a quick arc. You are bringing it outside your opponents left foot and stepping in deep. As your foot lands, push in against your opponent. Drop your sword over your opponents head, with the left hand against their neck. Make sure that your elbows are flared out slightly. You want your arms, your shoulders and your weapon to make a circle. This will give you a lot of stability and flow. The picture shows this moment, and the circle of the arms can be clearly seen.
Put the weight onto your front foot, bending your left knee and straightening your right. Get your hips right up against your opponent, pushing them over.
Spin the circle of your arms up. Catch your opponents hand in the hollow of your left shoulder. You are actually aiming to throw them up and back. Maintaining your circle, tip it over and drop it down in a vertical plane. Your left hand should come to rest just inside your left knee, with your elbow flared out, pointing directly in front of you.
Your opponent will be thrown on their back to your right side. Although elsewhere performed on the left side, you can find slight variations of this same basic throw in the following plays.
- Dagger – 3rd scholar of the 1st master
- Sword in two hands – 12th scholar of the 3rd master
- Horseback – 5th scholar of the 8th master
- Horseback grappling – Counter to the 3rd scholar