Lesson 11 – Molinelli

Molinelli are full circular cuts that deliver one of the most powerful cuts possible with the great sword. The key to the cuts are gravity and momentum, however this is also the factor that can also lead to losing control of the weapon.

Learning the Mollinelli

The purpose of these drills is to learn the basics of the molinelli, and how to control the high levels of momentum they harness. In all case we are practicing the molinelli both as mandritti and as riversi.

1. From each guard descending true edge molinello on a pass
2. From each guard rising true edge molinello on a pass
3. From each forward guard true edge molinello on a crosswise pass
4. From each rear guard false edge lead descending molinello on a pass

Parries with Molinelli

The advantage of the molinello is that it will initially pass through the hanging guard position, which allows us to parry our opponent's attack safely and follow it with a powerful riposte, all in one continuous motion. The key to these drills is understanding that the transition into the hanging guard is not only our parry position, but the initial charging to allow gravity and momentum to allow us to smoothly continue the action to deliver the riposte.

1. From Right Guard, Point Forward defend the mandritto with a molinello and mandritto on a right pass. The parry should be when the sword passes through Left Hanging Guard.
2. From Right Guard, Point Forward defend the riverso with a molinello and riverso and crossing right pass to the left. The parry should be when the sword passes through Right Hanging Guard.
3. From Left Guard, Point Forward defend the riverso with a molinello and riverso on a left pass. The parry should be when the sword passes through Right Hanging Guard.
4. From Left Guard, Point Forward defend the mandritto with a molinello and mandritto and crossing right pass to the right. The parry should be when the sword passes through Left Hanging Guard.
5. From Right Guard, Point Behind defend the mandritto with falso mandritto and mandritto (false edge led molinello) on a right pass.
6. From Right Guard, Point Behind defend the riverso with a falso dritto and mandritto tondo on a right pass.
7. From Left Guard, Point Behind defend the riverso with riverso falso and riverso on a left pass.
8. From Left Guard, Point Behind defend the mandritto with falso manco and riverso tondo on a left pass.

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