The Terminology and Execution of Steps

By Steven Reich

In order to be clear and consistent, I have adopted a standard terminology to unambiguously name each
of the steps used in 16th century Italian swordsmanship. Wherever possible, I have adapted English terms
which are close to direct translations of Italian the terminology given in the original sources.

Passing Step
The rear foot passes to completely in front of the leading foot in the manner similar to a walking step.

Chasing Step
This step consists of two motions. In the first motion, bring the rear foot forward until it is even (or nearly
so) with the front foot; in the second motion, step forward with the front foot. This step covers about the
same distance as the Passing Step. The Chasing Step consists of two Half Steps (see below). It is possible to
perform this step backwards, in which case the first motion is to draw the front foot back near the rear
foot and the second motion is to step back with the rear foot.

It is important to execute the Chasing Step as one contiguous motion and without bobbing up and down.
Since the Chasing Step covers roughly the same distance as the Passing Step, it is often used in a situation
where you would use a Passing Step but the „wrong‟ foot is forward. When practicing the Chasing Step
you will notice that the timing is subtly different than the Passing Step; be sure to adequately drill this
step so that you can execute it quickly and smoothly as it is one of the primary steps of 16th century Italian
swordsmanship.

Changing Step
This step consists of two motions. In the first motion the forward foot is brought back until it is even (or
nearly so) with the back foot (a Backward Gathering Step—see below). In the second motion, the back foot
steps forward (an Increasing Step—see below), ending in the same position as you started but with the
opposite foot forward. As with the Chasing Step, you should practice this step until you can perform it
without bobbing up and down and in one fast and contiguous motion. In practice, the Increasing Step is
often made diagonally off the line of direction.

Half Step
The half step is actually the name for two different but related steps:

Increasing Step or Accrescimento.

Gathering Step.

In the first type of Half Step, the Increasing Step, you start with your feet in a normal stance and step
forward with your front foot, rather like a „lunge‟. Alternatively, this could be the second motion of a
Chasing Step or Changing Step, where you step forward from a position where your feet are close
together. Thus, the Increasing Step involves moving your front foot forward and apart from your rear
foot so that you increase the distance between your feet.

The second type of half step, the Gathering Step, is exactly the opposite of the Increasing Step. In this case,
you step with one of your feet so that you end with your feet closer together. The Gathering Step is the
first motion of the Chasing Step and the Changing Step.
In the case of a Gathering Step, we usually distinguish whether you are gathering forward or gathering
backward. If you are instructed to “gather forward” you will bring your rear foot up to your front foot;
while a command to “gather back” means you should draw your front foot back to near your rear foot.

The motion of recovering from a wide stance to a narrower one—pulling your front foot back to a normal
step after executing an Increasing Step—can be called a Decreasing Step or Decrescimento.

Circular Step
The Circular Step is performed by moving one foot along part of the circumference of an imaginary circle
formed with your other foot as the center. This step can be made by the trailing foot after you have made
some type of offline step, or it can be made by the front foot—such as to turn your hips and body into the
force of a cut when parrying. A Circular Step is often used after making some sort of Oblique Step (see
below) to set your orientation to face your opponent.

Hanging Step
This step is almost always used to avoid an attack to the forward leg. Draw your front foot back to near
the rear foot in a manner similar to performing a Gathering Step back, except that your foot is held
suspended above the ground. This step is nearly always followed by an Increasing Step forward such that
the foot returns to its initial position.

Advancing Step and Retreating Step

The Advancing Step is similar to the modern fencing advance and consists of two motions. In the first
motion, the front foot steps forward as an Increasing Step. In the second motion, the rear foot comes
forward by an amount equal the distance of the step of the front foot. The Retreating Step is the reverse of
the Advancing Step. First, the rear foot moves back; then the front foot follows by an equal distance. With
these steps, you will travel forward or backward approximately one-half the distance of a Passing Step or
a Chasing Step in the same direction..

Additional Considerations
Offline, Oblique or Diagonal Steps
Nearly any time you step forward, you can do so obliquely to the imaginary line between you and your
opponent. Often this will mean that you will step away from the line, but in some instances, you might
step across the line. For example, if you are standing with your right foot forward, you could step
obliquely to your left with your left foot—a passing step to your left. Alternatively, you could step
obliquely to your right with your left foot—a passing step to your right which crosses your centerline. In
both cases, the oblique step could be followed by a Circular Step to turn to face your opponent.

Distance between the Feet

The distance between your feet tends to be variable and based upon the tactical need of the guard or
action. For example, if you make a Passing Step, you might do so such that the ending distance between
your feet is wider than usual in order to increase your reach. Additionally, you narrow your stance by
bringing your rear foot a little closer to your front foot in order to increase your reach with an Increasing
Step. Certain guards can have stances that tend to be wider or narrower than usual depending upon
which foot is forward, how square or profiled your body is, and the elevation and position of your sword.

Concordant and Discordant Steps

Since a cut is usually delivered by utilizing the turning motion of your body, it is important to consider
which foot is stepping relative to which cut is being executed. A Concordant Step is one in which the foot
which will end forward “agrees” with the cut. For example, if you deliver a Mandritto, stepping or
passing forward with your right foot would be a Concordant Step. Conversely, a Discordant Step is one in
which the foot which ends forward is opposite to the cut. Therefore, if you passed or stepped forward
with your left foot when delivering a Mandritto, you would be making a Discordant Step.

Since a Discordant Step tends to turn your lower body in the direction opposite to the direction that the
cut turns your upper body, it will often be made as an oblique step to minimize the contrary motion of
the lower and upper parts of your body and to better transfer power to the cut. For example, if you make
a Mandritto while passing forward with your left foot, you will likely pass somewhat to your left, turning
your hips and body as you do so that your momentum is directed along the direction you are stepping. In
the event that you make a more linear Discordant Step, you might still wish to turn your foot to the
outside in order to aid the turn of your body. This is especially true when making a Mandritto and
passing forward with your left foot.

In Practice
The ability to give a specific name to nearly every type of step can greatly aid a student‟s understanding
of footwork and its relationship to distance, but in practice, the context and position will often make the
use of such terminology unnecessary. For example, if you are standing with your right foot forward and
you are instructed to step forward with your right foot, it should be obvious that you are being instructed
to make an Increasing Step with your right foot. My approach is to formally name, demonstrate, and
practice all of the steps so that the students are familiar with them and can perform them fluently, but to
use the briefest instructions possible when describing actions.