Learn the Art of Combat: Longsword Guards - Beginners Guide
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Ochs·Björn Rüther
Knowing the guards in the long sword, knowing which techniques and concepts to apply from each posture, and being able t…
Перевод: ochs (ox guard)
Дистанция и классификация
Дистанция
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Обзор
Ochs (the ox) is a high guard that positions the longsword beside the head with the point aimed at the opponent's face or upper chest, hilt at temple height. [1] Ochs threatens an immediate thrust to the opponent's face while simultaneously protecting the upper line with the crossguard and blade. [1],[2] The guard can be held on either side of the head, with left Ochs and right Ochs covering different lines and threatening different angles of thrust. [2],[3]
История и происхождение
Страна происхождения· показано в случайном порядке
- ГерманияHEMA, Немецкий длинный меч
- ИталияHEMA
Эффективность
Ochs (Ox) positions the sword high and to one side with the point aimed at the opponent's face, threatening a direct thrust while covering the upper openings with the cross-guard and blade. [1] It is the primary guard for initiating thrusts and for entering the Winden (winding) from the bind. [2] Its weakness is exposure of the lower body, which the opponent can exploit with Unterhäue or the Krumphau. [2]
Родословная
Соревновательные результаты
Ochs (ox) is a high guard in the Liechtenauer system used to threaten thrusts and wind into the opponent's openings in HEMA competition. [1]
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Биомеханический механизм
Primary Action — Cutting, thrusting, or striking with a bladed weapon — edge alignment and trajectory determine cutting effectiveness
Joints Involved — Wrists (edge alignment and rotation), elbows (extension for thrusts, chambering for cuts), shoulders (arc of the cut), hips (power generation)
Force Vector — Varies — downward diagonal cut (kesa-giri), horizontal cut (yoko-giri), thrust (tsuki), or rising cut (kiri-age)
Weapon Mechanic — Edge alignment (hasuji) is critical — the blade must travel along its cutting plane for effective cuts
Позиция и вход
From ready stance (chudan-no-kamae or equivalent) — Assume guard position, establish distance (ma-ai), execute the cut or thrust when an opening appears
From engagement distance — Use footwork to close to striking range, execute the technique with proper edge alignment (hasuji)
As counter — Wait for the opponent's attack, deflect or avoid, and counter-cut to the exposed target
Варианты
Standard cut — primary cutting angle from the ready stance
Thrust (tsuki) — straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face
Rising cut (kiri-age) — upward diagonal cut from low to high
Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) — downward diagonal cut following the kimono line
Видео
Lesson 6, Krump: Thoughts on Ochs
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Ochs·Sword Carolina
Here Josh gives us some great insights into how the Krumphau breaks Ochs. And thanks to Chris for volunteering to work w…
Ochs guard
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Ochs·VCU HEMA
Here we discuss the Ochs guard and how it can be used in sparring, as well as the various transfers associated with it. …
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3 videosЧто говорят инструкторы
Ochs (Ox) is one of the four primary guards in German longsword fencing, characterized by the sword held high with the point directed toward the opponent's face, creating a constant threat of thrust while protecting the head. According to Björn Rüther, this medium-distance guard allows execution of all principal strikes and twere strikes without difficulty, and serves as a common follow-up position when entering the bind with an opponent. VCU HEMA's Nick Allen emphasizes the anatomical distinction between right- and left-handed practitioners: a right-handed fencer's arms cross in right-side ochs (uncross on the left side), with the thumb placed on the flat of the blade for superior sensory feedback and tip control. Allen identifies three primary transfers from ochs: the middle howl (a circular transition with the tip passing behind the head), the thrust (extending the point while stepping to maintain offensive pressure during vulnerable footwork), and the unter howl (a downward cut using the true edge with restricted wrist angles due to anatomical limits). Sword Carolina's Josh emphasizes that ochs applications depend heavily on distance and principle rather than rigid positioning; when an opponent in ochs attempts to thrust during a crump attack on the hands, they expose both hands and head, violating manuscript principles. He introduces the concept of stepping offline (perpendicular to center line) when attempting hand-targeted crumps to maintain defensive advantage and avoid overextension. All three instructors agree ochs serves both defensive and offensive functions, though they approach pedagogical structure differently.
Сформировано на основе 3 инструкторов
- Björn Rüther — Learn the Art of Combat: Longsword Guards - Beginners Guide: Established ochs as one of four primary guards with the point directed at opponent's face, noting its utility as both an offensive threat and defensive position at medium distance, and its common use as a bind transition.
- VCU HEMA — Ochs guard: Provided detailed anatomical and mechanical instruction on ochs positioning (crossed arms for right-handed fencers), thumb placement for sensory control, and systematic instruction in three primary transfers: middle howl, thrust, and unter howl, with step-by-step progression.
- Sword Carolina — Lesson 6, Krump: Thoughts on Ochs: Analyzed ochs through principles of distance and geometry, particularly regarding crump-to-hands techniques; emphasized that offensive responses from ochs expose the defender and that stepping offline creates superior tactical positioning while maintaining defensive integrity.
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Оценки
Риск травмы для человека, к которому применяется техника
9
Экстремальный9/10
Edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
Уровень мастерства, необходимый для надёжного выполнения техники
Продвинутый
Разрешена ли техника по основным соревновательным правилам
— Traditional martial arts — Practiced in traditional kata/...
— IWUF — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable
IWUF Competition RulesPDFHEMA — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories {src— various organizations
Заметки по тренировке
✓Ochs (the ox) is the high guard of German longsword — the sword is held above the head with the point directed at the opponent's face, threatening the thrust and protecting the upper line (Tobler, Fighting with the German Longsword, 2004)
✓Ochs is named for the ox's horns: the crossguard above the head resembles horns, and the point threatens like a horn thrust
✓From Ochs, the primary attacks are: the thrust (Stich) directly at the face or chest, and the Zwerchhau (cross cut) that sweeps horizontally
✓Ochs protects the upper openings: the sword's position covers the head and upper body from incoming cuts
✓Ochs can be held on either side of the body (left or right Ochs), each covering different lines and threatening different angles
✓In the winding (Winden) technique, Ochs is the position achieved when the sword winds to the high opening from a bind
✓Ochs transitions naturally to Pflug by dropping the point from the face to the opponent's centre — this covers the transition from high to mid defence
Типичные ошибки
!Holding Ochs with the point too high — the point must threaten the opponent's face for the guard to be effective
!Not threatening the thrust from Ochs — the thrust is the primary weapon; without the threat, the guard is passive
!Keeping the arms too extended — the arms should be slightly bent for mobility and responsiveness
!Only using Ochs on one side — both left and right Ochs must be trained for complete coverage
!Not transitioning from Ochs to attack — the guard should flow into offensive action, not be held statically
!Holding Ochs too tightly — the grip should be firm but not tense for quick transitions
!Not understanding the relationship between Ochs and the Zwerchhau — the cross cut launches naturally from this position
Связанные техники
Контрприёмы
Цепочка подготовки
1Assume Guard (Kamae/Hut) — take the appropriate ready position with the weapon
2Measure Distance (Ma-ai) — establish correct striking distance
3Initiate Cut/Thrust — execute the technique with proper edge alignment or point control
4Follow Through (Zanshin) — maintain awareness and readiness after the technique
Источники и ссылки
Основной источник
The Art of Combat (Joachim Meyer, 1570)
1КнигаThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat [2] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat [3] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat
2КнигаThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Forgeng, J., The Art of Combat (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) [2] Tobler, C., Fighting with the German Longsword (Freelance Academy Press, 2004)
3ДругоеJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4ЦитатаThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat [2] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat [3] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat
5ЦитатаThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Forgeng, J., The Art of Combat (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) [2] Tobler, C., Fighting with the German Longsword (Freelance Academy Press, 2004)
Сообщество
Атлетизм
Requires
wrist control for edge alignment, grip endurance, footwork precision
Favours
quick wrists, strong forearms, good posture
Key muscles
forearm extensors/flexors, deltoids, core, calves
Часто задаваемые вопросы
What's the key difference in hand position between Ochs and other guards?
In Ochs, your thumb should be on the sword hilt, which gives you much better control of the tip and lets you know what's happening with your opponent's blade. This thumb positioning is important whether you're on the right or left side.
How should I move when practicing Ochs footwork?
When training Ochs, take big oblique passing steps rather than moving straight forward or backward. This allows you to effectively train what it will be like in actual combat distance and positioning.
What should I do if my opponent tries to thrust from their Ochs position?
If you respond to an opponent's thrust from Ochs by stepping off the center line to the side, you force them to expose their hands closer to you, giving you a defensive advantage. Sword Carolina emphasizes stepping to the side rather than forward when responding.
How is my body posture different in Ochs compared to other guards?
In Ochs your knees are less bent and you stand a bit higher than in guards like Vom Tag, since your sword is concentrated upward rather than over your shoulder.
Как работает Ochs?
Ochs (the ox) is a high guard that positions the longsword beside the head with the point aimed at the opponent's face or upper chest, hilt at temple height. Ochs threatens an immediate thrust to the opponent's face while simultaneously protecting the upper line with the crossguard and blade.
Откуда происходит Ochs?
Ochs is one of Liechtenauer's four principal guards, named for its resemblance to an ox's horns threatening from above. The German glossators describe Ochs as the guard that commands the upper openings and from which the most dangerous thrusts are delivered.
Разрешён ли Ochs на соревнованиях?
Traditional martial arts: разрешён — Practiced in traditional kata/forms and weapon-specific competition under var…; IWUF: разрешён — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable; HEMA: разрешён — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories
Насколько опасен Ochs?
Оценка опасности 9/10. Extreme — edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
Как подготовить Ochs?
Стандартная цепочка подготовки: Assume Guard (Kamae/Hut) → Measure Distance (Ma-ai) → Initiate Cut/Thrust → Follow Through (Zanshin).
Как защититься от Ochs?
Стандартные контрприёмы: Parry (Absetzen) — deflect the incoming blade with a counter-displacement / Void (Step Back) — withdraw from measure to avoid the cutting arc / Counter-Cut (Nachreisen) — strike into the opponent's opening during their attack.
Какие есть варианты Ochs?
Распространённые варианты: Standard cut (primary cutting angle from the ready stance); Thrust (tsuki) (straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face); Rising cut (kiri-age) (upward diagonal cut from low to high); Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) (downward diagonal cut following the kimono line).
Насколько эффективен Ochs на соревнованиях?
Ochs (ox) is a high guard in the Liechtenauer system used to threaten thrusts and wind into the opponent's openings in HEMA competition.
Какие типичные ошибки при выполнении Ochs?
Основные ошибки, на которые стоит обратить внимание: Holding Ochs with the point too high — the point must threaten the opponent's face for the guard to be effective / Not threatening the thrust from Ochs — the thrust is the primary weapon; without the threat, the guard is passive / Keeping the arms too extended — the arms should be slightly bent for mobility and responsiveness / Only using Ochs on one side — both left and right Ochs must be trained for complete coverage.
Какие ещё названия есть у Ochs?
Ochs также известен как Okusu, Ox Guard, Ox, Upper Hanging Guard.