Secondary bullfighers

Los subalternos (Secondary Bullfighters) Members of the team or troupe of the matador. Different names are given to them: peones (laborers), banderilleros, (harpooners) or toreros de plata (bullfighters in silver dress) because of their costume. Bullfighting rules do not allow them to use the muleta (scarlet cloth). The only tools allowed for them are the capotes (capes) and their bodies with the purpose of granting the safety of the main bullfighter. Many matadors call them guardian angels. A deep knowledge of the lidia and the behavior of the bull is a must for secondary bullfighters.

• - La cuadrilla: Is the team –or troupe- of the matador. In a normal corrida (those in which six bulls are killed by three matadors) every matador is assisted by two picadors and three secondary bullfighters.
• - In a mano a mano (a corrida in which only two matadors participate) the cuadrilla needs to be enlarged with an extra subalterno, to reach the four, and an extra picador, to reach three.
• In a corrida en solitario (with only one matador) the bullfighter needs to be assisted by two more cuadrillas apart from his own.
• - Mozo de espadas: Probably the most unknown actor of the bullfight, but an important one. He is the one who supports and helps the matador. His role consists in bringing the diestro all the tools he might need during the corrida (swords, cape, muleta, montera, or killing knife) from the callejón. He is also in charge of dressing the matador and organize his trips and those of the cuadrilla.