Unstable Wards

The swords in these wards should be unstable in their relationship to the line. This means that on the defense, the will generally be better coming off the line, and returning to it then staying on it. Attacks from these wards are also better to come off the line, and return to it as well, thrusts being the exception. When laying in these poste, keeping the blade looser, or even moving it is better then leaving it motionless.
When laying in these wards, I don't advocate movement that endangers you. Some people (especially new ones) will be intimidated by an opponent in Poste Longa waggling their blade like an epileptic weasel on speed. Some people won't. Some people will watch the tip, and so a slower wider movement might be better. Others won't fall for any of these tricks, and so just holding (not in the sense of gripping the sword) the blade loose with regard to the line is better.
The key is the relationship of the sword to the line, not the tactics that you use. The tactics you use should be determined by your situation and your opponent, the governing philosophy of these wards is that they are flexible with regard to the line.

Front Ward

This is Posta Frontale, called by some masters Posta do Corona, which is good for crossing and for the thrust she is also good that if he gives a high thrust she crosses passing out of the way. And if the thrust is low also she passes out of the way beating the thrust to the ground. Also she can do something else, that in the placing of a thrust turn with the rear foot and come with a fendente through the head and through his arms and she goes to Dente do Cengiaro and quickly throw a thrust or two with an accrease of the foot and return with a fendente to this particular guard.

Long Ward


Posta Longa is filled with deceit. She goes probing the guards if she can trick the companion. if she can wound with the trust then she knows well how to sidestep his blows and injure use more deception than the other guards.

Two Horned Ward


This is the Posta do Bicorno that stays much public that always stays with the point in the middle of the road. And that which Posta Longa can do this can do. And similarly I say this of Posta di Fenestra and of Posta Frontale.

After working with some of the German longsword guys, we have an idea on how Bicorno might actually work, and what it's used for. We think it's a defensive ward that you come to when covering a blow. It seems to work against sottani or fendente blows primarily.

Then there's this article from Guy Windsor, that makes even more sense.

Window Ward


This is the Position of the Window that is always ready with malice and deceit. And of covering and of wounding it is Master. And with all guards it can question and with the high and the low. And from one guard to the other she often goes for she deceives the companion. And places great thrusts and knows how to break and to exchange these plays which she can can do well.