Learn the Art of Combat: Longsword Guards - Beginners Guide
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Seconda Guard·Björn Rüther
Knowing the guards in the long sword, knowing which techniques and concepts to apply from each posture, and being able t…
Seconda Guard
Genusセコンダ構え(Sekonda Kamae)
HybridTranslation: seconda guard
Overview
Seconda (second guard) positions the hand with the palm facing outward (pronated), the blade angled to protect the outside low line and threaten a thrust beneath the opponent's arm. [1] Seconda is a powerful guard for controlling the outside line and is particularly effective in combination with a forward step (passata) to deliver a thrust under the opponent's weapon. [1],[2] This guard is the basis of the modern fencing parry of seconde. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Seconda (second guard) protects the low outside line with a pronated hand position, effective against low thrusts and cuts to the flank. [1]
Lineage
Seconda was codified by Italian rapier masters as one of the primary guard positions, with the hand in pronation. [1]
Competition Record
Seconda is practised in HEMA rapier and sidesword tournaments. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Cutting, thrusting, or striking with a bladed weapon — edge alignment and trajectory determine cutting effectiveness
Joints Involved — Wrists (edge alignment and rotation), elbows (extension for thrusts, chambering for cuts), shoulders (arc of the cut), hips (power generation)
Force Vector — Varies — downward diagonal cut (kesa-giri), horizontal cut (yoko-giri), thrust (tsuki), or rising cut (kiri-age)
Weapon Mechanic — Edge alignment (hasuji) is critical — the blade must travel along its cutting plane for effective cuts
Position & Entry
From ready stance (chudan-no-kamae or equivalent) — Assume guard position, establish distance (ma-ai), execute the cut or thrust when an opening appears
From engagement distance — Use footwork to close to striking range, execute the technique with proper edge alignment (hasuji)
As counter — Wait for the opponent's attack, deflect or avoid, and counter-cut to the exposed target
Variants
Standard cut — primary cutting angle from the ready stance
Thrust (tsuki) — straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face
Rising cut (kiri-age) — upward diagonal cut from low to high
Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) — downward diagonal cut following the kimono line
Videos
2 Knives fighting techniques
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Seconda Guard·Kali Center
Get the NEW Kali Apex training course here: https://www.kaliapex.com/ For 1 on 1 Kali Coaching go here: https://www.pat…
How to Use a Two-Handed Battle Axe
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Seconda Guard·Skallagrim
From fantasy dwarves to vikings (historical or not), the two-handed axe is one of the most iconic badass fighter / barba…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The transcripts provided do not contain substantive instructional material on the seconda guard specifically. Björn Rüther's comprehensive overview of longsword guards from Joachim Meijer's system covers fourteen guards total, including the four main guards (upper guard, ox, plow, and fool) and ten secondary guards, but does not isolate or discuss a guard called the 'seconda.' The second and third transcripts address entirely different weapon systems—Kali Center covers double-knife fighting techniques and footwork drills, while Skallagrim discusses two-handed battle axe mechanics and biomechanics. None of these instructors directly address rapier guards or the second guard (seconda) position that would be relevant to Italian Renaissance rapier fencing systems. To properly synthesize information about the seconda guard, source material from rapier-specific instructors would be required, particularly those drawing from historical Italian treatises such as those by Capo Ferro, Manciolino, or Fabris.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Björn Rüther — Learn the Art of Combat: Longsword Guards - Beginners Guide: Provides comprehensive overview of longsword guard systems from Joachim Meijer's manuscript, covering fourteen total guards with structural and defensive principles, but does not address rapier guards or seconda guard specifically.
- Kali Center — 2 Knives fighting techniques: Covers double-knife training drills, grip methodology, and combination techniques; content is not applicable to rapier or sword guard systems.
- Skallagrim — How to Use a Two-Handed Battle Axe: Discusses biomechanics and grip variations for two-handed axes; content does not relate to rapier guards or the seconda position.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— FIE — Legal fencing technique — governed by FIE rules for...
FIE Rules of CompetitionPDFHEMA — Legal in historical fencing competition {src— various organizations
Training Notes
✓Seconda (second) guard positions the hand with slight supination (palm slightly upward) with the blade covering the outside low line — it protects the lower body while threatening the opponent's lower openings (Capo Ferro, Gran Simulacro, 1610)
✓Seconda is the guard for the outside low quadrant: the hand position naturally covers attacks to the lower right (for a right-handed fencer)
✓From Seconda, the thrust travels to the opponent's lower body or the underside of their arm — attacking areas that high guards leave exposed
✓Seconda's defensive function: it provides a strong parry position against thrusts to the lower body and low cuts
✓In Fabris' tradition, Seconda is a particularly aggressive guard: the extended point threatens while the hand position deflects
✓Seconda transitions naturally to Quarta by rotating the hand: this covers the transition from outside to inside defence
✓Seconda is less commonly used than Terza or Quarta but provides critical coverage of the low lines that other guards leave open
Common Mistakes
!Holding Seconda too high — the guard must cover the low line; the hand position should be at waist level
!Not threatening with the point from Seconda — the point must be directed at the opponent even in the low guard
!Using Seconda against high attacks — it is designed for low-line defence; use Terza or Quarta for high attacks
!Holding Seconda with the arm retracted — the arm should be extended to maximize reach and point threat
!Not training the transition from Seconda to other guards — guard changes must be smooth and practised
!Rotating the hand too far — the supination in Seconda is slight; excessive rotation weakens the guard
!Using Seconda without understanding its specific defensive role — it covers the outside low quadrant specifically
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1En Garde — assume the fencing ready position with proper blade presentation
2Advance/Lunge Preparation — close distance with footwork
3Attack — execute the touch with right-of-way (if applicable) and proper point/edge
4Recovery — return to en garde after the action
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Art of Fencing (Luigi Barbasetti, 1932)
1BookThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] The Sword and the Centuries (Castle, 1901) [2] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014) [3] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014)
2BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe (Anglo, 2000)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] The Sword and the Centuries (Castle, 1901) [2] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014) [3] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014)
5CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe (Anglo, 2000)
Community
Athletics
Requires
wrist control for edge alignment, grip endurance, footwork precision
Favours
quick wrists, strong forearms, good posture
Key muscles
forearm extensors/flexors, deltoids, core, calves
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I never change my guard without a clear purpose?
Changing guards without intention only gives your opponent more options to attack openings while you expose yourself unnecessarily. Each guard change should have a specific tactical reason behind it.
What should I focus on when learning a new guard?
Study what attacks work well from that posture, what defensive techniques you can execute, and what counters are available—along with the underlying concepts that make them effective.
How does the Seconda Guard work?
Seconda (second guard) positions the hand with the palm facing outward (pronated), the blade angled to protect the outside low line and threaten a thrust beneath the opponent's arm. Seconda is a powerful guard for controlling the outside line and is particularly effective in combination with a forward step (passata) to deliver a thrust under the opponent's weapon.
Where does the Seconda Guard come from?
Seconda appears in the rapier manuals of Fabris and Capoferro as the second guard position, protecting the outside low line. The Italian masters valued Seconda for its ability to simultaneously cover and attack.
Is the Seconda Guard legal in competition?
FIE: legal — Legal fencing technique — governed by FIE rules for foil, épée, and sabre; HEMA: legal — Legal in historical fencing competition
How dangerous is the Seconda Guard?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
How do I set up the Seconda Guard?
The standard setup chain: En Garde → Advance/Lunge Preparation → Attack → Recovery.
How do I defend against the Seconda Guard?
Standard counters include: Beat Parry — deflect the blade with a sharp lateral beat before it reaches target / Displacement — move the body off the line while threatening with the point / Counter-Thrust — extend into the attacker's line during their advance.
What are the variants of the Seconda Guard?
Common variants: Standard cut (primary cutting angle from the ready stance); Thrust (tsuki) (straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face); Rising cut (kiri-age) (upward diagonal cut from low to high); Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) (downward diagonal cut following the kimono line).
How effective is the Seconda Guard in competition?
Seconda is practised in HEMA rapier and sidesword tournaments.
What are common mistakes when doing the Seconda Guard?
Top errors to watch for: Holding Seconda too high — the guard must cover the low line; the hand position should be at waist level / Not threatening with the point from Seconda — the point must be directed at the opponent even in the low guard / Using Seconda against high attacks — it is designed for low-line defence; use Terza or Quarta for high attacks / Holding Seconda with the arm retracted — the arm should be extended to maximize reach and point threat.
What are other names for the Seconda Guard?
The Seconda Guard is also known as Sekonda Kamae, Seconda, Second Guard, Guardia di Seconda.