[27v-a] ¶ This play is named “The False Point” or “The Short Point”, and I will explain how to do it. I make it look like I am making a powerful attack against my opponent with a making a powerful attack against my opponent with a crosswise strike to his head. As he makes cover I crosswise strike to his head. As he makes cover I strike his sword but only lightly. Then I quickly turn my sword to sword but only lightly. Then I quickly turn my sword to the other side of his blade, gripping my sword with my left other side of his blade, gripping my sword with my left hand at about mid-sword. From there I can quickly make a thrust at about mid-sword. From there I can quickly make a thrust into his throat or chest. This play is however better in into his throat or chest. This play is however better in armour than without than without armour
This is about as near to a feint as Fiore gets. Feints with 2 handed swords are risky because of the speed they can move at and how easy it is to cancel momentum. Your opponent can react way faster here than with rapier. The half sword gives an extra agility and mechanical advantage that makes up for the closeness and the surprise from this not being a Peasant Strike should enable you to shiv without your oppo grappling.
27v-b] ¶ This play is the counter to the previous play, the False Point or the Short Point. And this counter is made like as follows: when the student strikes my sword lightly and then turns his sword around to the other side, I turn my sword around his in exactly the same way, stepping sideways to the left as I do so to gain his unprotected side. From here I can make a thrust into his face. And this counter is good both with and without armor.
Do unto others as they do unto you- if you can react fast enough, this counter negates the advantage your oppo had from the halfswording. It can get a bit messy and grapply here but generally someone is getting stabbed.
Counter to 3.12