#schielhau

The Schielhau in Detail: A new HEMA book, with a peculiar and interesting approach (it focuses on a single technique). Check it out:

The #Schielhau (Squinting Strike), front view from the guard called “Vom Tag” (From the Roof). Here I’ve shortened the time I have available to turn my back edge into the cut. If you’re just using the Schielhau to set up a thrust, exact edge alignment isn’t so important as long as your hands are safe, your point is on target and the opponent’s #sword is locked out. Here however, I’m really trying to focus on edge alignment and True Time. True Time means my weapon (and therefore hands) moves first, followed by a twist of my torso, which propels my feet forward into my step. So this is called “Time of the Hand, Body and Feet”. If I do that in reverse, leading with my feet, then body, and then hand, that’s called “False Time”, which generates way more cutting power, but allows an opponent to hit me as I enter their reach because my #weapon is lagging behind my body and is therefore unable to protect me. Edge alignment means that my blade is angled exactly the same as my cutting trajectory. Otherwise I’d hit slightly flat, and the sword’s edge wouldn’t cut the target properly. That means an opponent would likely still be combat effective, as any injury delivered would be minimal. Striking with the back edge (called the “short edge” in medieval German fencing) means I have to quickly twist the grip to exactly the correct angle in a fraction of a second while the sword is moving, which is much more difficult than using the front edge, which is angled towards the opponent before the sword even starts moving. #yyc #calgary #yycmartialarts #martialarts #medieval #fight #swordfight #hema #fencing #practice #longsword #fun #practicemakesperfect #quarantine #socialdistancing #backalleymartialarts (at Calgary, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_q1iRsnNBg/?igshid=1ebxiw1jqylvp

The art of longsword Flynning, exhibit d: always falling a little short against a tall one

New York Historical Fencing Association