Guardia Alta 1

Commentary

Jonathan Allen

This technique demonstrates how to take advantage of an opponent who lowers his hand. This can occur because they lack good posture, they are slow to move in to Alta after an attack, or if they hesitate at the beginning of their attack.

The use of off-line steps is crucial to this technique. By working around your opponent, you remove his buckler from play. Even your first cut should be accompanied with a cross-step of the right foot to the left, assuming you aren't so close that the opponent can grapple.

In our older interpretations you can see linear footwork. While somewhat effective, this didn't allow for the last cut to the hand.