HEMA: Counter the Attack - Thrust and Cut Combination
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HEMA Counter·Federico Malagutti HEMA
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HEMA Counter
FamilyHEMAカウンター(HEMA Kauntā)
descriptiveTranslation: Historical European Martial Arts counter-techniques
Overview
The HEMA Counter family encompasses the defensive-offensive techniques of the German longsword tradition — actions that simultaneously defend against an incoming attack and deliver a counter-attack. [1] In the Liechtenauer system, countering is not a passive act of blocking followed by a separate attack; instead, the core principle of Indes ('meanwhile') teaches the fighter to defend and attack in the same tempo. [1] Counter-techniques include Absetzen (setting aside with a thrust), Nachreisen (traveling after an opponent's movement), and various Versetzen (displacements) that redirect the opponent's blade while creating an opening. [1],[2] The family is distinct from the HEMA Guard family (static positions) and the HEMA Strike family (offensive cuts) because counter-techniques are reactive — they require the opponent to initiate an action. [2]
GegenfechtenCounter-TechniqueNachschlagenHEMA Defensive TechniqueCounter-Cut
History & Origin
HEMA counter-techniques originate in the Kunst des Fechtens (Art of Fighting) tradition attributed to Johannes Liechtenauer (14th century). [1] The Zettel (epitome) of Liechtenauer's teachings describes fighting as fundamentally organized around Vor (before — initiative) and Nach (after — reaction), with the most skilled fighters using counter-techniques to turn the opponent's attacks into their own offensive opportunities. [1],[2] Multiple medieval Fechtbücher (fight books) — including those of Sigmund Ringeck, Peter von Danzig, and Hans Talhoffer — elaborate on counter-techniques as the highest level of swordsmanship. [2]
Effectiveness
Counter-techniques are the most efficient actions in longsword combat because they combine defense and offense into a single tempo. [1] A fighter who must block first and then attack is always one tempo behind a fighter who deflects and strikes simultaneously. The Liechtenauer tradition considers mastery of counter-timing (Indes) to be the hallmark of the expert fencer. [1],[2]
Lineage
German longsword lineage: Johannes Liechtenauer (14th century) → transmitted through the Gesellschaft Liechtenauers (Society of Liechtenauer) → documented in Fechtbücher by Sigmund Ringeck (c. 1440), Peter von Danzig (1452), Hans Talhoffer (1459), and Paulus Kal (1470). Reconstructed in modern HEMA from manuscript study beginning in the 1990s–2000s. [1]
Competition Record
Used in modern HEMA longsword tournaments sanctioned by HEMAA, HEMA Alliance, and regional federations. Scoring varies by ruleset (afterblow, first-touch, or exchange-based). [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Redirecting or displacing an incoming attack while simultaneously delivering a counter-cut or thrust
Joints Involved — Wrists (blade angle for deflection), arms (extend for counter), hips and legs (step offline)
Force Vector — Dual: lateral displacement of the incoming blade + forward or angular counter-strike
Key Principle — Indes (meanwhile) — defense and offense occur in the same motion, not sequentially
Position & Entry
From Pflug (plow guard) — Opponent cuts, angle blade to deflect while thrusting (Absetzen)
From Ochs (ox guard) — Opponent cuts high, wind the blade to catch and counter in one motion
After opponent's failed cut — Travel after (Nachreisen) — attack into the opening created by their committed movement
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Counter-techniques deliver strikes while the opponent is committed to their own attack and unable to defend.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
HEMA tournamentsHEMAA/HEMA AllianceSCA Heavy Combat
Training Notes
✓Counter-techniques require reading the opponent's intention BEFORE their attack arrives — train with slow-speed paired drills first
✓The displacement and counter must be a single action — if you separate them into parry-then-attack, you lose the tempo advantage
✓Use the strong of your blade (near the crossguard) for displacements — the weak bends and fails
✓Step offline during every counter — never stay on the opponent's attack line
✓Master the four guards (Vom Tag, Ochs, Pflug, Alber) first, as counters launch from guard positions
Common Mistakes
!Separating defense and offense into two motions — must be simultaneous
!Waiting for the attack rather than anticipating it — counters require reading intention
!Using the weak of the blade to deflect — insufficient structure
!Not stepping offline — partial deflections still land if you stay on the line
!Over-committing to the counter — leaves you open if the opponent feints
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Hold a guard → opponent attacks → counter with Absetzen (deflect and thrust)
2Provoke an attack with a feint → opponent commits → Nachreisen into their opening
3Bind blades → feel opponent's pressure (Fühlen) → wind (Winden) to counter-thrust
Sources & References
Primary Source
Clements, J. (1998). Medieval Swordsmanship. Paladin Press.
1BookClements, J. (1998). Medieval Swordsmanship. Paladin Press.
[1] Clements, Medieval Swordsmanship (1998), chapters on counter-techniques and Indes principle
2BookTobler, C.H. (2004). Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship. Chivalry Bookshelf.
[2] Tobler, Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship (2004), translations of Ringeck and von Danzig glosses on counter-play
3CitationClements, J. (1998). Medieval Swordsmanship. Paladin Press.
[1] Clements, Medieval Swordsmanship (1998), chapters on counter-techniques and Indes principle
4CitationTobler, C.H. (2004). Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship. Chivalry Bookshelf.
[2] Tobler, Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship (2004), translations of Ringeck and von Danzig glosses on counter-play
Community
Athletics
Requires
excellent timing, blade sensitivity (Fühlen), ability to read opponent's intention
Favours
experienced fencers with strong fundamentals
Key muscles
forearms (blade control), wrists (angling), core (stepping offline), legs (footwork)
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my opponent raises their arms to defend against my attack?
Attack their arms from below with a manduito sotano (undercut) to their forearm. Federico Malagutti notes this is effective because raising the hands is a common defensive response, especially under pressure from beginners and intermediate fencers.
How should I position myself when executing the counter-cut to the opponent's arms?
Move sideways—toward your left (the opponent's right)—while landing your manduito sotano, as this positioning increases your chances of defending from any follow-up action, especially a reverse cut.
What's the best defensive follow-up after I land my counter-cut to the arms?
After landing your cut, immediately retreat your hands into posto di donna while continuing to move sideways, which will help you defend from your opponent's next action.
How does the HEMA Counter work?
The HEMA Counter family encompasses the defensive-offensive techniques of the German longsword tradition — actions that simultaneously defend against an incoming attack and deliver a counter-attack. In the Liechtenauer system, countering is not a passive act of blocking followed by a separate attack; instead, the core principle of Indes ('meanwhile') teaches the fighter to defend and attack in the same tempo.
Where does the HEMA Counter come from?
HEMA counter-techniques originate in the Kunst des Fechtens (Art of Fighting) tradition attributed to Johannes Liechtenauer (14th century). The Zettel (epitome) of Liechtenauer's teachings describes fighting as fundamentally organized around Vor (before — initiative) and Nach (after — reaction), with the most skilled fighters using counter-techniques to turn the opponent's attacks into their own offensive opportunities.
Is the HEMA Counter legal in competition?
HEMA tournaments: Legal: legal — core techniques in longsword competition; HEMAA/HEMA Alliance: Legal: legal — recognized in all affiliated tournaments; SCA Heavy Combat: Legal: legal — permitted in armored combat formats
How dangerous is the HEMA Counter?
Danger rating 8/10. Very High — counter-techniques deliver strikes while the opponent is committed to their own attack and unable to defend.
How do I set up the HEMA Counter?
The standard setup chain: Hold a guard → opponent attacks → counter with Absetzen (deflect and thrust) → Provoke an attack with a feint → opponent commits → Nachreisen into their opening → Bind blades → feel opponent's pressure (Fühlen) → wind (Winden) to counter-thrust.
How do I defend against the HEMA Counter?
Standard counters include: Feint — draw out a counter-technique then attack the real opening / Compound attack — chain multiple attacks to overwhelm the counter-fighter / Angreifen (constraining) — apply pressure to prevent the opponent from setting up counters.
What are the variants of the HEMA Counter?
Common variants: Absetzen (setting aside (simultaneous parry and thrust)); Nachreisen (traveling after (attacking into the opponent's preparation)); Versetzen (displacement (redirecting the opponent's blade)); Durchwechseln (changing through (withdrawing the blade under the opponen…); Schnappen (snapping (quick counter-cut after a parry)).
How effective is the HEMA Counter in competition?
Used in modern HEMA longsword tournaments sanctioned by HEMAA, HEMA Alliance, and regional federations. Scoring varies by ruleset (afterblow, first-touch, or exchange-based).
What are common mistakes when doing the HEMA Counter?
Top errors to watch for: Separating defense and offense into two motions — must be simultaneous / Waiting for the attack rather than anticipating it — counters require reading intention / Using the weak of the blade to deflect — insufficient structure / Not stepping offline — partial deflections still land if you stay on the line.
What are other names for the HEMA Counter?
The HEMA Counter is also known as HEMA Kauntā, Gegenfechten, Counter-Technique, Nachschlagen, HEMA Defensive Technique.