All 5 German Longsword "Hidden" Master Cuts
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Coupe Attack·Blood and Iron HEMA
The master cuts, (sometimes referred to as the "hidden" cuts) can be found in every German longsword source, and even so…
Coupe Attack
Genusクーペ攻撃(Kūpe Kōgeki)
TransliterationTranslation: coupe attack
Overview
The Coupe Attack (also called the cut-over) is an indirect attack where the fencer lifts the blade over the opponent's tip by withdrawing the point upward and forward, passing over the top of the opponent's blade to land on the opposite side. [1] The coupe is executed by pulling the hand back slightly while raising the point, clearing the opponent's blade, and then driving the thrust forward to the target on the other side. [1],[2] The coupe is particularly effective against opponents who use strong lateral parries, as the blade passes over rather than around the defensive blade. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The coupe is less frequently used than the disengage but highly effective as a surprise action, particularly against opponents who react to lateral blade movements with strong parries. [1] Its over-the-top trajectory avoids lateral blade contact entirely, making it an ideal response to heavy parry-chasers. [1]
Lineage
The coupé (cut-over) was developed in French fencing, passing the blade over the opponent's tip rather than around it as in a disengage. [1]
Competition Record
Coupé attacks are used at all levels of FIE foil competition, particularly effective against opponents with extended blades. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
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
Position & Entry
From en garde position — Establish distance, extend the blade toward the target with a lunge or advance-lunge, recover to guard
As riposte (counter-attack) — Parry the opponent's attack and immediately riposte with a thrust or cut to the exposed target
From distance (preparation) — Use blade work (beats, feints, engagements) to create an opening before the final attack
Variants
Simple attack — single blade action (disengage, beat, or direct) to score
Compound attack — multiple blade actions (feint then disengage) to create an opening
Riposte — immediate counter after a successful parry
Counter-attack — attacking into the opponent's attack with priority or right-of-way
Videos
SCA Polearm 1 Back Edge Attack
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Coupe Attack·barry1492
SCA Tutorial Video See my SCA Spear Tutorial playlist for more content.
![Advanced wakizashi technique-draw cutting [wakizashi tutorial/tameshigiri]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/tD-rXB924CA/hqdefault.jpg)
Advanced wakizashi technique-draw cutting [wakizashi tutorial/tameshigiri]
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Coupe Attack·Just a Bug
Today I go through how to do a draw cut and some tips and tricks of how to add more force and mass into the strike for a…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The provided transcripts address three distinct martial disciplines (SCA polearm combat, Japanese wakizashi cutting, and German longsword fencing) rather than a unified technique called 'Coupe Attack' in foil fencing. Barry1492 discusses back-edge polearm strikes executed by stepping past an opponent and striking with the blade's rear edge, emphasizing power generation through combined arm pulling, hip rotation, and body weight transfer. Just a Bug covers Japanese draw-cutting (nukiuchi) with wakizashi, detailing three directional variations (downward, sideways, upward) and stressing safety protocols, proper unsheathing technique, edge alignment, and body-mass integration into cuts. Blood and Iron HEMA presents five German longsword master cuts (Zornhau, Zwerchau, Krumphau, Schildhau, Schielhau) as simultaneous attack-defense techniques that break guards and seize initiative through structured footwork, blade geometry, and grip transitions. None of these sources address the coupe—a classical foil technique involving circular blade movement to evade the opponent's blade and attack. The transcripts appear mismatched to the requested technique topic.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- barry1492 — SCA Polearm 1 Back Edge Attack: Explains back-edge polearm attacks using coordinated arm, hip, and body mechanics; emphasizes power generation through pullback, pushing motion, and hip rotation.
- Just a Bug — Advanced wakizashi technique-draw cutting [wakizashi tutorial/tameshigiri]: Details three directional draw cuts with wakizashi; focuses on safety, proper unsheathing, edge alignment, and body-mass application for cutting power.
- Blood and Iron HEMA — All 5 German Longsword 'Hidden' Master Cuts: Describes five German longsword master cuts as simultaneous attack-defense techniques; emphasizes structure, geometry, footwork angles, and grip transitions.
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Modern sport fencing uses blunted weapons and full protective gear; injury rate ~2.5 per 1000 exposures (Harmer 2008)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— FIE — Legal fencing technique — governed by FIE rules for...
FIE Rules of CompetitionPDFHEMA — Legal in historical fencing competition {src— various organizations
Training Notes
✓The coupe (cutover) passes the blade over the top of the opponent's blade to attack in a different line — it is an alternative to the disengage that works when the opponent's point is high (Evangelista, The Art and Science of Fencing, 1996)
✓The coupe moves the blade over the opponent's tip: the blade lifts slightly, passes over, and descends into the new line — all in one continuous motion
✓The coupe is used when the opponent's blade is low or when a disengage underneath would be blocked
✓The coupe must be fast: the blade is momentarily not threatening during the pass over the top; a slow coupe is easily intercepted
✓Coupe attacks work best against fencers who maintain strong lateral blade presence — the over-the-top path avoids their horizontal parries
✓The coupe can be combined with the lunge: coupe during the extension, then lunge to deliver the touch
✓In competition, the coupe is a surprise weapon: it is less common than the disengage, making it harder for the opponent to anticipate
Common Mistakes
!Making the coupe too large — the blade should pass just over the tip of the opponent's blade; large coupes are slow
!Pausing at the top of the coupe — the blade must pass over and descend in one smooth motion
!Using the coupe when a disengage would be faster — the coupe is for specific situations where the disengage is blocked
!Not extending the arm during the coupe — the arm extension must continue throughout the blade movement
!Telegraphing the coupe with a lifting preparation — the initial lift should be subtle
!Using the coupe predictably — alternate with disengages and direct attacks for unpredictability
!Not practising the coupe at competition speed — the technique must be fast enough to avoid interception
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1En Garde — assume the fencing ready position with proper blade presentation
2Advance/Lunge Preparation — close distance with footwork
3Attack — execute the touch with right-of-way (if applicable) and proper point/edge
4Recovery — return to en garde after the action
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Art of Fencing (Luigi Barbasetti, 1932)
1BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Alias sources — [1] FIE Rules of Competition [2] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014) [3] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014)
2BookOn Fencing (Nadi, 1943)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Czajkowski, Z., Understanding Fencing (SKA Swordplay Books, 2005)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Alias sources — [1] FIE Rules of Competition [2] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014) [3] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014)
5CitationOn Fencing (Nadi, 1943)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Czajkowski, Z., Understanding Fencing (SKA Swordplay Books, 2005)
Community
Athletics
Requires
explosive lunge speed, finger/wrist dexterity, cardiovascular endurance
Favours
long reach (tall, long arms), fast-twitch legs
Key muscles
quadriceps (lunge), calves, forearm/finger flexors, core
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key difference between leading with the tip versus the hands in a coupe attack?
According to Blood and Iron HEMA, leading with the tip of your sword rather than your hands is critical to the success of the attack; if you lead with your hands instead, the outcome will not be favorable.
Why is footwork and geometry important when executing a coupe attack?
Blood and Iron HEMA emphasizes that stepping offline to the right gets you out of the way when you land your strike, since stepping only forward into your opponent is unlikely to place you far enough away from the path of the sword to avoid getting hit yourself.
How does structure affect the coupe attack's effectiveness?
According to Blood and Iron HEMA, structure is very important in this attack—a broken wrist or having a guard too close to your head will not result in as good an outcome when cutting across the line.
How does the Coupe Attack work?
The Coupe Attack (also called the cut-over) is an indirect attack where the fencer lifts the blade over the opponent's tip by withdrawing the point upward and forward, passing over the top of the opponent's blade to land on the opposite side. The coupe is executed by pulling the hand back slightly while raising the point, clearing the opponent's blade, and then driving the thrust forward to the target on the other side.
Where does the Coupe Attack come from?
The coupe (French for 'cut') derives from classical French fencing technique and was originally used in small sword combat to evade the opponent's blade. It is one of the three fundamental indirect attacks in classical fencing theory alongside the disengage and the counter-disengage.
Is the Coupe Attack legal in competition?
FIE: legal — Legal fencing technique — governed by FIE rules for foil, épée, and sabre; HEMA: legal — Legal in historical fencing competition
How dangerous is the Coupe Attack?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — modern sport fencing uses blunted weapons and full protective gear; injury rate ~2.5 per 1000 exposures (Harmer 2008)
How do I set up the Coupe Attack?
The standard setup chain: En Garde → Advance/Lunge Preparation → Attack → Recovery.
How do I defend against the Coupe Attack?
Standard counters include: 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.
What are the variants of the Coupe Attack?
Common variants: Simple attack (single blade action (disengage, beat, or direct) to score); Compound attack (multiple blade actions (feint then disengage) to create a…); Riposte (immediate counter after a successful parry); Counter-attack (attacking into the opponent's attack with priority or rig…).
How effective is the Coupe Attack in competition?
Coupé attacks are used at all levels of FIE foil competition, particularly effective against opponents with extended blades.
What are common mistakes when doing the Coupe Attack?
Top errors to watch for: Making the coupe too large — the blade should pass just over the tip of the opponent's blade; large coupes are slow / Pausing at the top of the coupe — the blade must pass over and descend in one smooth motion / Using the coupe when a disengage would be faster — the coupe is for specific situations where the disengage is blocked / Not extending the arm during the coupe — the arm extension must continue throughout the blade movement.
What are other names for the Coupe Attack?
The Coupe Attack is also known as Kūpe Kōgeki, Coupe, Cut-Over Attack, Coupez.