Translation
This play is called ‘False Thrust’ and ‘Short Thrust’, and I will tell you how to do it. I show that I am coming with great force to strike the player with a horizontal cut to the head. And immediately that he makes a cover, I lightly strike his sword. Then straight away, I turn my sword to the other side, taking my sword with my left hand almost in the middle, and I quickly put the point in his throat or chest. This play is better with armour than without.
Interpretation
From the master play, go on the offensive by springing your sword off your opponents and making a horizontal cut from the right to your opponents head. In practice, you do not have to come from the master play, but can launch straight into this attack whenever the opportunity presents itself. For the formality of progressing from master to scholar, however, it is usually practiced with the master play as the first engagement.
By pivoting on your left foot and arcing your right foot around to your right slightly as you make the cut, you will change the line of your opponent, creating an opening for the crux of the play. Fiore says ‘I show that I am coming with great force to strike the player.’ This cut is not a feint exactly, but an obvious attack. You can reasonably expect your opponent to block it, but if they lack speed or conviction, then by all means, put it into their head, and the play ends there.
As your opponent blocks your cut, pull out of the attack and spin the sword around its balance point in a tight horizontal arc. Let go with your left hand, and allow the blade to pass over your head to the opposite side of your opponents sword. Keep your left hand reasonably still throughout this turn.
As the sword arrives, step forward with your left foot, and catch your right up, bringing you back to your original line of attack. Grab your sword in the middle of the blade with your left hand, as shown in the picture.
Lean your weight forward, keeping the momentum going and driving the point into your opponents face, throat or chest.