The Segno, exhibiting the various culpi of the sword.
Culpi, meaning "blows" or "cuts" in Old Italian, are the central longsword attacks delivered by the longswordsman. There are four main culpi: the culpi fendenti, the culpi mezzani, the culpi sottani and finally the punta, which is the thrust.
Fendente[]
Arguably the most important of culpi, the fendenti (the full name meaning "teeth to the knees") are delivered at 70° degree angles from above, and are used in attacking the head, neck and shoulder of the opponent.
Fendente Mandritto[]
The fendente mandritto ("hands from the right") is delivered from Posta di Donna Distra and is the regular fendente, finishing in Dente di Cinghiaro.
Fendente Manreverso[]
The fendente manreverso is delivered from the opposite side, beginning in Posta di Donna Sinestra and ending in Tutta Porta di Ferro. It is somewhat difficult to execute a "one-hit-kill" with this culpo, as many zugadori have used it to the point that it is expected from them; besides that entering incrosa is both recommended and more thoroughly fulfilling to pull off.
Mezzana[]
The mezzani are secondary attacks that are to be dealt if a fendente is either unattainable, or that the mezzana is part of a diversionary attack scheme. Mezzani, as the name suggests, are executed at the "middle area" of the enemy torso and are intended to cause severe internal injury. They can be delivered from both low and high poste.
Mezzana Mandritta[]
Performed in the same manner as the fendente mandritto, but from a more midline angle so as to strike the body. Begin either in Posta di Donna Distra or Tutta Porta di Ferro and finish in Posta di Finestra Sinestra or Posta di Donna Sinestra.
Mezzana Manreversa[]
See above, but start from the left in Posta di Donna Sinestra and finish out with either Tutta Porta di Ferro or Posta di Finestra Distra.
Sotana[]
Sotani are the "low blows", used from from the low posti: Dente di Zenghiaro on the left, Porta di Ferro Mezzana in the center, and Tutta Porta di Ferro on immediate right. Posta di Coda Longa and Dente di Cinghiaro Mezzana also make good sotana positions for slightly more advanced Compagni.
Punta[]
The punta is a single attack that is nevertheless vital to a longswordsman, because it is the means through which he thrusts into his foe. Unlike some, the punta isn't difficult to "master" at all; simply begin in Posta Breve or Posta di Bicorno and finish in Posta Longa.