Tail/Nebenhut guard
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Schrankhut·VCU HEMA
Here we discuss the 3 transfers for the tail guard and how to drill all 3. The official channel of the HEMA Club @ VCU.…
Schrankhut
SubFamilyシュランクフート(Shurankufūto)
descriptiveTranslation: barrier guard (HEMA low sword guard creating a barrier)
Overview
Schrankhut (Barrier Guard) is a HEMA longsword guard where the sword is held low with the blade crossed in front of the body, creating a barrier between the fighter and the opponent. [1] The sword is typically held with the point directed to one side and the blade angled across the body at hip or knee level. It is a defensive guard that invites the opponent to attack high while positioning the blade for a rising counter-cut. [1] The guard appears in the German longsword tradition of Johannes Liechtenauer. [1]
Barrier GuardSchrankhut GuardSchranckhut
History & Origin
Effectiveness
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 — Sword held low across the body creating a barrier — invites high attacks while preparing rising counter
Joints Involved — Arms extended low, wrists angle blade across body
Force Vector — Defensive: low barrier blocks. Offensive: rising cuts from the low position
Position & Entry
From neutral stance — Lower the sword across the body to hip level with point to one side
After a low parry — Let the blade settle into barrier position ready for a rising cut
Variants
Right Schrankhut — barrier extends to the right
Left Schrankhut — barrier extends to the left
High barrier — blade across at waist level
Low barrier — blade across at knee level
Videos
Longsword Guards: Nebenhut
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Schrankhut·Swordwind Historical Swordsmanship
A detailed look at nebenhut, addressing historicity, our preferred "default" version for beginners, and common errors.
2 videos
What Instructors Say
Schrankhut (also called Nebenhut or "tail" guard) is a secondary guard in which the sword is rotated 180 degrees from fool, pointing directly behind the practitioner. Both VCU HEMA and Swordwind Historical Swordsmanship emphasize the critical importance of maintaining a loose grip on the pommel—nearly palming it—to enable the necessary arm crossing and weight shifts inherent to the position. The blade is held nearly perpendicular to the body, with the point online and presenting an active threat to the opponent. VCU HEMA identifies three primary transitions into Schrankhut: the unter-how (cutting true edge diagonally into ox before dropping to tail), the middle-how (using false edge in a sweeping motion with knuckles toward the ground), and the over-how (false edge cut with knuckles toward the ceiling). Swordwind stresses maintaining proper hip coiling and a default cutting grip when possible, though they note that left-side Schrankhut requires crossed hands that complicate the non-dominant hand's grip contact. Both instructors acknowledge the guard's versatility for varied cutting angles and its utility in pressing advantage. However, both caution that the rear-pointing blade makes deflecting thrusts difficult and leaves the practitioner vulnerable to long-point attacks if unprepared to transition quickly.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- VCU HEMA — Tail/Nebenhut guard: Detailed description of Schrankhut's basic position with loose pommel grip, comprehensive explanation of three cutting transitions (unter-how with true edge, middle-how with false edge, over-how with false edge), emphasis on keeping blade perpendicular rather than angled, and warnings about vulnerability to thrusts and the need for quick transitions.
- Swordwind Historical Swordsmanship — Longsword Guards: Nebenhut: Analysis of textual sources (Meyer, Ringeck), discussion of hip coiling for strong cuts, explanation of grip maintenance on dominant side and grip complications in left-side Schrankhut with crossed hands, practical guidance for practitioners shorter than their blade length, and clarification that the rear-pointing blade position aids mechanical consistency despite lack of explicit historical sourcing.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Guard position.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
HEMA tournamentsSCA Heavy CombatHEMAA/HEMA Alliance
Training Notes
✓The guard deliberately exposes the upper body to invite high attacks
✓Be ready to transition into a rising cut (Unterhau) immediately
✓Don't hold this guard against an opponent who attacks low
✓The crossed blade should protect the lead leg and lower torso
Common Mistakes
!Holding the guard against low attacks — it protects high, not low
!Responding too slowly to the invited attack — the counter must be immediate
!Blade positioned too far to one side — no longer protects center line
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Adopt Schrankhut → opponent cuts to exposed head → rising counter-cut (Unterhau) to their arms
2From Vom Tag → lower to Schrankhut to change tempo → counter when they commit
Sources & References
Primary Source
Clements, J. Medieval Swordsmanship. Paladin Press.
1BookClements, J. Medieval Swordsmanship. Paladin Press.
[1] Clements, Medieval Swordsmanship, Guard Positions chapter
2CitationClements, J. Medieval Swordsmanship. Paladin Press.
[1] Clements, Medieval Swordsmanship, Guard Positions chapter
Community
Athletics
Requires
patience to hold the low position, explosive speed for the counter
Key muscles
forearms, core, legs (stable low stance)
Notes
Schrankhut (barrier guard) is a HEMA longsword guard where the sword is held across the body — creating a barrier. Documented in the Fechtbücher of the Liechtenauer tradition. A defensive guard that invites specific attacks which can then be countered. (Clements, Medieval Swordsmanship; Tobler, Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a loose grip on the pommel important for Schrankhut?
A loose grip on the pommel is essential for Schrankhut to work effectively on either side, as a tight grip will prevent the guard from functioning properly. You should almost be palming the pommel rather than gripping it firmly.
What cuts should I use from Schrankhut, and which edge matters?
Both true edge and false edge cuts become important in Schrankhut, especially when performing different cuts from this position. The true edge is most readily available when cutting upward, while false edge cuts are particularly useful for other variations from tail, making this guard very versatile.
What should I be aware of tactically when I'm in Schrankhut?
When in Schrankhut, your sword is directly behind you with the point online and presenting an active threat to your opponent, so be aware of this positioning advantage. It's also a fantastic move when you want to press the advantage and be sneaky, and it's especially useful for handling grills with a wide variety of cuts and angles.
How should I position my arms and blade in Schrankhut?
Keep your arms comfortably extended toward the ground rather than hiked up, and maintain a default cutting grip. Your blade should be kept vertical with the short edge up and long edge down, positioned back at a natural angle at your side.
How does the Schrankhut work?
Schrankhut (Barrier Guard) is a HEMA longsword guard where the sword is held low with the blade crossed in front of the body, creating a barrier between the fighter and the opponent. The sword is typically held with the point directed to one side and the blade angled across the body at hip or knee level.
Where does the Schrankhut come from?
Schrankhut is documented in the German Liechtenauer longsword tradition as one of the secondary guards. It represents the concept of Einladung (invitation) — deliberately exposing a target to provoke a predictable attack that can be countered.
Is the Schrankhut legal in competition?
HEMA tournaments: Legal: legal — standard technique in longsword competition; SCA Heavy Combat: Legal: legal — permitted in armored combat; HEMAA/HEMA Alliance: Legal: legal — recognized in all affiliated tournaments
How dangerous is the Schrankhut?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — guard position.
How do I set up the Schrankhut?
The standard setup chain: Adopt Schrankhut → opponent cuts to exposed head → rising counter-cut (Unterhau) to their arms → From Vom Tag → lower to Schrankhut to change tempo → counter when they commit.
How do I defend against the Schrankhut?
Standard counters include: Don't take the bait — attack low instead of high / Thrust rather than cut — thrusts bypass the barrier / Feint high then attack the exposed lower body.
What are the variants of the Schrankhut?
Common variants: Right Schrankhut (barrier extends to the right); Left Schrankhut (barrier extends to the left); High barrier (blade across at waist level); Low barrier (blade across at knee level).
How effective is the Schrankhut 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 Schrankhut?
Top errors to watch for: Holding the guard against low attacks — it protects high, not low / Responding too slowly to the invited attack — the counter must be immediate / Blade positioned too far to one side — no longer protects center line.
What are other names for the Schrankhut?
The Schrankhut is also known as Shurankufūto, Barrier Guard, Schrankhut Guard, Schranckhut.