AHF Fencing: 22nd June

Fencing session based on the early and classic Sword and Buckler work of Andre Liegniczer, perhaps also known as Andres Lignitzer.

Image representative of the fencing posture, specifically that of the buckler which should be held forward and covering the top left target zone. For a right handed user, left foot should be forward.

The Second Play

"From the Underhaw (under strike / strike from below), when he strikes from above. Wind against him to your left side, [with his sword] against your shield. Thus you stand in two shields. So wind to the right side opening and strike in at the mouth. See if he deals with this by raising his shield, and if so then take the left leg. This works on both sides."

Drills

First drill creates familiarity with the moves.

• Attacker strikes zornhau aiming for head
• Defender starting in a low guard steps in a half step and strikes with unterhau to parry. Once contact is made, wind clockwise to threaten a thrust to defenders face.
• Defender goes strong to deflect thrust.
• Attacker flows off strike and stepping out to the left, strikes at the upper target zones.

Second drill was a variation on the first allowing an alternative.

• Defender starts in a low guard.
• Attacker strikes a zornhau to opponents head.
• Defender steps in a half step off line to parry with a rising unterhau. Once contact is made, wind counter clockwise so as to deliver a thrust whilst stepping out to the left.

The Third Play

"From the buckler, from the Wechelhaw (changing strike), sweep from the left side. From your buckler sweep clearly above with your sword then cut into his head from the left side; wind [to the] opening and thrust into his mouth. If he lifts with the shield and with the sword and defends against this then cut with the long edge in at his right leg. This works on both sides."

• Defender is in Wechelhaw, typically the end position after delivering a Zornhau.
• Attacker strikes a Zornhau at opponents head.
• Defender sweeps up from the left to beat aside strike, in doing so deliver a fast strike to the head using a Mittlehau (Cut 5).

A number of variations were explored from the position of the defender successfully beating aside the opponents strike including:

• Moulinet to Cut 2 to the head.
• Moulinet to Cut 2 to the lead arm.