Getting Started – Practice

Immediate Practice

• 10 minutes – Practice forming the two guards Guardia Alta and Porta di Ferro Stretto.
  • Guardia Alta with the arm over the head.
  • Porta di Ferro Stretto with the sword ahead of the lead leg, pointed at the opponent.
  • Explore your grip.
  • Practice moving between the two positions.
  • Keep your weight forward and your feet in an L orientation.
• 5 minutes – Practice cutting between Guardia Alta and Porta di Ferro Stretto
  • Make sure that the true edge aims in the direction of the cut.
  • Pivot on the front foot as you make your passing step.
  • Keep your chest up proudly.
  • Ensure that you begin the cut before you step.

Ongoing Practice

• Practice “stance-walking” by moving forward and back in the way shown in the lesson.
  • Keep your body low and your weight forward.
  • Practice pivoting on the ball of the foot and keeping the body profiled at the end of each step.
• Practice cutting between guards with attention to grip, edge orientation, and posture.