Flank Cut

Genus

脇腹斬り(Wakibara-giri)

Traditional

Translation: flank cut

Overview

The Flank Cut delivers a cutting attack to the side of the opponent's torso, targeting the area below the arm on either the left or right flank. ^[1] The flank cut requires an upward or lateral blade trajectory to reach the side of the body, making it biomechanically different from the head and chest cuts which travel in downward or horizontal arcs. ^[1],[2] The flank cut is one of the most difficult sabre attacks to defend because it targets a low area that requires the defender to drop their parry from the standard high guard position. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Coupe au Flanc LateralFencing^[1]Side Cut^[2]Belly Cut^[3]

Used in

Fencing (Sabre)

History & Origin

The flank cut was a standard military sabre attack targeting the exposed side of an opponent, particularly effective against cavalry riders whose flanks were vulnerable during mounted combat. ^[1] In sport sabre, the flank cut became a tactical tool for attacking below the opponent's guard. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

The flank cut targets the underside of the opponent's sabre arm and the flank below the guard, an area difficult to defend without exposing the head or chest. ^[1] It is most effective as a secondary or deceptive action, used when the opponent over-commits to a high parry expecting a head cut. ^[1]

Lineage

Flank cutting technique in kendo targets the exposed side of the torso, similar to the dō cut but emphasising the lateral angle. ^[1]

Competition Record

Flank cuts to the dō area are valid scoring techniques in kendo competition. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

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

Enter Shaolin

Wing Chun Techniques - Sifu's Corner Understanding The Gan Sao Better

Flank Cut·Enter Shaolin

Free Kung Fu Lessons Online delivered to your inbox by clicking here now: http://entershaolin.com/free-kungfu-lessons I…

Blood and Iron HEMA

Complex Longsword / Rapier techniques - Patreon Mailbag: October

Flank Cut·Blood and Iron HEMA

Eric Hardeman: Uses of the Crossed Shiel - 0:20 Cody "The Northern Hussar": Uses of Prime thrust in Rapier - 3:35 Want …

Blood and Iron HEMA

10 Solo Rapier Drills in 5 minutes

Flank Cut·Blood and Iron HEMA

Sometimes it can be difficult to find the time to work with a group, so here are 10 solo drills you can do with a Rapier…

1 / 2

3 videos

What Instructors Say

The flank cut in sabre sport represents a diagonal cutting action targeting the opponent's head or torso from an angled approach. Blood and Iron HEMA instructors Julien Schütze and Nicole Smith describe the technique as originating from high guard or other positions, executed with hands crossed and rotated to deliver a downward-diagonal strike. Schütze notes that while the cut can function as a counter-attack, its practical application proves challenging due to timing and positioning difficulties. He emphasizes that the flank cut achieves greatest success not as an isolated opening move, but rather as a follow-up to preceding actions—particularly after a thrust has been deflected, where transitioning from true edge to false edge creates a faster, more efficient cutting motion. Both instructors acknowledge that protective equipment significantly hampers the technique's execution in sparring, as arm guards and jackets restrict the diagonal trajectory necessary for effective delivery. Smith's solo drilling methodology, while focused on rapier, reinforces fundamental cutting principles applicable to sabre: maintaining proper stance, drawing through the cut for maximum effect, and combining cuts with other offensive actions. The instructors collectively present the flank cut as a transitional technique requiring situational awareness and predictive positioning rather than a straightforward primary attack.

Synthesized from 2 instructors

Blood and Iron HEMA — Complex Longsword / Rapier techniques - Patreon Mailbag: October: Julien Schütze and Nicole Smith describe the high cross shield/flank cut mechanics, positioning challenges, successful application as a counter-attack following initial contact, and the hindering effect of protective equipment on execution.
Blood and Iron HEMA — 10 Solo Rapier Drills in 5 minutes: Nicole Smith demonstrates cutting drill fundamentals including proper guard positioning, blade placement contact points, draw-through technique for tissue damage, and combination sequences integrating cuts with other actions.

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Low2/10

Modern sport fencing uses blunted weapons and full protective gear; injury rate ~2.5 per 1000 exposures (Harmer 2008)

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

— FIE — Legal fencing technique — governed by FIE rules for...

FIE Rules of CompetitionPDF

HEMA — Legal in historical fencing competition {src— various organizations

Training Notes

✓The flank cut attacks the side of the opponent's torso — a horizontal or slightly upward cut targeting the area under the arm or the side of the body in sport sabre (Evangelista, The Art and Science of Fencing, 1996)

✓The flank cut exploits the gap between the arm and the body: when the opponent lifts their arm to parry or attack, the flank opens

✓The flank cut is delivered with a slightly upward trajectory: the blade sweeps from low to the side of the torso

✓The flank cut is the third primary sabre target: head, chest, and flank together cover the entire valid target area

✓Execution: from en garde, extend the arm and snap the blade upward and inward to contact the side of the opponent's torso

✓The flank cut is most effective as a compound attack: feint high, draw the opponent's guard up, then cut underneath to the exposed flank

✓In competition, the flank cut is less common but highly effective because fewer fencers train specific flank defence

Common Mistakes

!Cutting at the hip instead of the flank — the valid target is above the waist; the flank is the side of the torso

!Using a downward cut for the flank — the flank cut typically uses an upward or horizontal trajectory

!Not timing the flank cut to the opponent's arm lift — the flank opens when the arm rises; cut at that moment

!Telegraphing the flank cut with an obvious low preparation — the cut should begin from the standard guard

!Cutting the arm on the way to the flank — while arm is valid, the flank cut should target the torso specifically

!Not extending the arm during the flank cut — right of way requires arm extension

!Using the flank cut as a primary attack — it is most effective as a second-intention attack after a high feint

Related Techniques

Guard Position — the ready stance from which this technique is initiated Parry — defensive blade/weapon action that counters this attack

Counter Techniques

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

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 Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)

Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)

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

When is the flank cut most effective in a fight?

According to Blood and Iron HEMA, the flank cut is most successful when used to break through an opponent's line after they've committed to a counter-attack, rather than as a standalone opener on the open side.

How do I prevent my opponent from pushing me offline when using the flank cut?

Blood and Iron HEMA recommends rolling around your opponent's blade, stepping forward, and maintaining pressure to keep your point online—this prevents them from successfully pushing you offline regardless of how hard they press.

How does the Flank Cut work?

The Flank Cut delivers a cutting attack to the side of the opponent's torso, targeting the area below the arm on either the left or right flank. The flank cut requires an upward or lateral blade trajectory to reach the side of the body, making it biomechanically different from the head and chest cuts which travel in downward or horizontal arcs.

Where does the Flank Cut come from?

The flank cut was a standard military sabre attack targeting the exposed side of an opponent, particularly effective against cavalry riders whose flanks were vulnerable during mounted combat. In sport sabre, the flank cut became a tactical tool for attacking below the opponent's guard.

Is the Flank Cut 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 Flank Cut?

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 Flank Cut?

The standard setup chain: En Garde → Advance/Lunge Preparation → Attack → Recovery.

How do I defend against the Flank Cut?

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 Flank Cut?

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 Flank Cut in competition?

Flank cuts to the dō area are valid scoring techniques in kendo competition.

What are common mistakes when doing the Flank Cut?

Top errors to watch for: Cutting at the hip instead of the flank — the valid target is above the waist; the flank is the side of the torso / Using a downward cut for the flank — the flank cut typically uses an upward or horizontal trajectory / Not timing the flank cut to the opponent's arm lift — the flank opens when the arm rises; cut at that moment / Telegraphing the flank cut with an obvious low preparation — the cut should begin from the standard guard.

What are other names for the Flank Cut?

The Flank Cut is also known as Wakibara-giri, Coupe au Flanc Lateral, Side Cut, Belly Cut.

flank cut wakibara giri weapon fencing sport sabre sport sabre cut fencing (sabre)coupe au flanc lateral side cut belly cut