The second assalto of Antonio Manciolino is in three parts, as are all his assalti. The first is for approaching the opponent, the second is for the fight itself, and the third is the withdrawal.

The assalto makes no mention of what the opponent(s) are doing.

Coming to the Play

Begin in one corner of the room in a “graceful stance”.

Pass out and to the right with the right foot, making a falso to the buckler and then a montante to guardia alta, ending with the buckler extended forward.
Pass forward with the left foot and cut a stramazzone to porta di ferro stretta.
Pass out again with the right foot, cutting similarly to guardia alta.

Embellish the play.

Embellishment for the Second Assalto

This same embellishment will be used after each stage of the assalto.

Pass the right foot back, cutting a fendente to porta di ferro stretta.
Pass the left foot back, bringing the false edge to the buckler.
Withdraw the right foot, cutting to guardia alta.

The Play

There are two opponents: one straight ahead and one approaching from 5 o’clock. Our goal is to strike the first with an imbroccata, but it doesn’t work out right away.

First Opponent

Cut a ridoppio, ending in an imbroccata, passing the left foot forward. The opponent parries this thrust and retreats.
Pass the right foot forward, cutting a fendente (to clear his sword) followed by two stramazzone (to attack/threaten), ending in porta di ferro stretta.
Keep the opponent with a mandritto while withdrawing the right foot, ending in guardia alta.
When the opponent approaches to attack. Pass the right foot forward and cut a mandritto to guardia sopra di braccio.
Pass the left foot forward, cutting a half riverso that quickly flips to a falso in the end, ending in guardia di faccia, as a thrust, which the opponent may parry.
Now for a pair of feints. First, withdraw the sword as if to cut a riverso, but instead, gather the right foot towards the left, and cut a mandritto.
When the opponent moves to parry, and the last moment roll the false edge towards the sword, pass the left foot diagonally to the left, and thrust to the face with an imbroccata. The thrust can get around the opponent’s parry due to presenting the false edge.

This opponent is basically done, so we now become aware that an opponent at 5 o’clock is delivering an attack.

Second Opponent

Turn on the balls of the feet (a volta stabile of the feet), leading with the buckler, towards the other opponent, the sword being chambered in guardia sotto di braccio.
Parry the cut with a rising riverso.
Just in case the first opponent is still a problem, turn again to face him, cutting a mandritto over the arm.
Having dealt with the first opponent for good, turn again to face the second opponent, passing the right foot back and cutting to the wrist, ending in coda longa e alta. Immediately move to guardia di testa to cover any riposte.
Pass the right foot diagonally to the right and cut a fendente, following with the left (a triangle step). Immediately move to guardia di faccia to threaten a thrust. You’ll have turned a bit to the left as you move around the opponent (now facing 3 o’clock).
When the opponent clears your blade to your inside, cross your left foot diagonally past your right and cut a riverso to the face. Follow with your right foot behind the left. Again, turn a bit more to the left (now facing 1 o’clock).
When your opponent recovers from this blow, strike with a stoccata to the face and hop gracefully back.
Finish with a montate to guardia alta, passing the right foot forward.

Embellish the play. When stepping back, turn a bit more to the left so that you’re facing 12 o’clock again.

Third Opponent

Cut a fendente and a stramazzone while passing the right foot back.
Make another stramazzone as a feint, but instead pass the right foot forward and cut a mandritto to the leg, ending in guardia sotto il braccio.
Cut a rising riverso to the opponent’s hand while hopping back, ending with the feet together in coda lunga alta.
Pass the right foot forward while cutting a montante.
Cut a stramazzone, ending in porta di ferro larga, leaving your body uncovered.
When the opponent attacks, defend the head with the buckler and pass forward with the left foot, cutting a falso to the opponent’s left temple via coda lunga alta, ending in guardia sotto il braccio.
Pass the left foot back while cutting a riverso to the face, ending in coda lunga alta, with the buckler guarding the head.
Pass the right foot back while thrusting to the face.
Pass the right foot forward and cut two stramazzones, ending in porta di ferro stretta.
Cut a montante.
Embellish the play.

Fourth Opponent

(Not interpreted yet)

Withdrawing from the Play

(Not interpreted yet)