banderillero

A banderillero is a person who thrusts banderillas, which are dart-like sticks, into a bull during a bullfight. This action is part of the second act, or tercio de banderillas, of a bullfight. The banderilleros' role is to weaken the bull's neck muscles so its head will be low enough for the matador to make the final kill. They plant three pairs of banderillas, each about 28 inches long with a barb, into the bull's shoulders. Some matadors are skilled enough to plant their own banderillas, but most rely on the banderilleros for this task. In a different style of bullfighting, rejoneo, the mounted fighter also places banderillas.123