The General Rules and Advice of Giovanni dall'Agocchie
by Steven Reich

This is a collection of rules and advice I extracted from the text of Giovonni dall'Agocchie's manual. Some of these points are specific rules for specific cirsumstances; others are general theory or advice. I will add to this as I extract more from the text.

• When you beat with the Falso Manco, you can attack by Cut or Thrust.
• When you beat with the Falso Dritto, you can attack only by Cut.
• When parrying with the Dritto Filo, you can attack by Cut or Thrust.
• When in guard with the right foot forward and performing a due tempi parry-counter, as you parry, draw the left foot near the right, then step forward with the right as you make the counter.
• When in guard with the right foot forward and performing a parry-counter in a single tempo, as you go with the sword, also step with the right foot, immediately following with the left.
• When in guard with the left foot forward, the right foot will nearly always accompany the parry and the attack, and the left leg should follow the right.
• The Thrust is better than the Cut because it is deadlier and more secure as the point remains in presence.
• When performing a beat or parry against an attack by the opponent, regardless of which foot is forward, turn the body and the rear leg to the opposite of the attack. You will draw away from the attack, and you will draw near the opening--thus it will be easier and safer to attack your opponent.
• When parrying, hold the arm extended, this will make the parry and the following attack stronger.
• True edge and the false edge are both good, but true edge parries are better as they utilize the stronger part of the blade, whereas false edge parries are performed with the weaker portion of the blade and cause the blade to depart from presence of the opponent.
• Each time your opponent beats your sword, whether with true or false edge, to disorder your guard so that he can safely attack, you can generally do one of two actions, depending on to which side he beats your sword:
  1. To your right side: Turn a Riverso Tramazzone while stepping behind or traversing back with your forward foot.
  2. To your left side: Quickly turn a Dritto Tramazzone, stepping behind with your forward foot.
• Each attack finishes in a particular guard:
  • Mandritto & Imbroccata: Porta di Ferro or Cinghiale Porta di Ferro
  • Riverso: Coda Lunga (either foot forward)
  • Stoccata: Porta di Ferro
  • Punta Riversa: Coda Lunga Stretta
• There are 5 times in which to attack:
  1. You parry the attack of your opponent.
  2. An attack at you traverses outside of your presence.
  3. Your opponent raises his sword to attack you.
  4. Your opponent injudiciously changes guard, before he settles in the new guard.
  5. Your opponent, standing still in guard, raises or moves his foot to change his pace or to move towards you.
• The 3 tempi in which to attack
  1. Due Tempi: When you parry and then attack.
  2. Un Tempo: When you attack without parrying, or you attack and parry at the same time.
  3. Mezzo Tempo: When you attack while your opponent makes his attack.