I need help figuring out how to use attack combos

When looking at the moves in a combo the pictures show like left, center, up for instance. I get how to swing in a direction but its that center dot move that I dont know how to do, how do I aim at the center? If I am aiming up and hit down or right and hit left the crosshairs will completely skip the center dot and go the other direction. I hope this makes sense. I really want to master the sword fighting in this game, but as of right now all I can really do is flail wildly.