Guard Transition Drill: German Longsword
0
Guard — Huten·Djemps
Guard Transition Drills taken from Tobler's "Fighting with the German Longsword". Hanwei Practical H&H with scabbard so …
Guard — Huten
SubFamily構え・フーテン(Kamae / Hūten)
HybridTranslation: guard — huten
Overview
The Guard (Huten) subfamily covers the four principal guards (Vier Leger) of the German longsword tradition — Vom Tag, Ochs, Pflug, and Alber — which form the positional framework from which all attacks and defences originate. [1] Each guard protects specific lines while threatening others: Vom Tag threatens from above, Ochs guards the upper openings while threatening a thrust, Pflug guards the lower openings while threatening a thrust, and Alber invites the opponent's attack while preparing rising cuts. [1],[2] Liechtenauer's system teaches that guards are not static positions but transitional states through which the sword passes during continuous combat flow. [2],[3]
History & Origin
The four guards are a core element of the Liechtenauer tradition, first recorded in the fourteenth century and glossed in detail by Ringeck, von Danzig, and Talhoffer in the fifteenth century. [1] Fiore dei Liberi's Italian tradition uses a different set of twelve guards (poste) but the tactical logic — controlling lines through guard selection — is analogous. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Huten (guards) in the Liechtenauer longsword system serve as both defensive positions and attack platforms, with each guard covering specific lines and enabling specific techniques. [1]
Lineage
The German longsword guard system was codified in the Liechtenauer tradition (14th century onward), described in Fechtbücher by masters like Ringeck, Danzig, and Lew. [1]
Competition Record
Liechtenauer guards are the starting positions used in HEMA longsword competition worldwide. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
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 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
Videos
1 video
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— 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
Training Notes
✓The four guards (Huten or Leger) are the foundational positions of German longsword — they serve as starting points for attacks, defensive positions, and transitional stances (Tobler, Fighting with the German Longsword, 2004)
✓The four primary guards are: Vom Tag (from the roof), Ochs (the ox), Pflug (the plow), and Alber (the fool)
✓Each guard protects specific lines while threatening specific attacks: guards are not passive positions but loaded weapons
✓The guards form a system: transitioning between guards creates a flow of offensive and defensive positions
✓In the Liechtenauer tradition, the guards are beginning and ending positions — the fighter moves through them, not staying in them
✓The concept of Vor (before) and Nach (after) relates to guards: the fighter in Vor attacks from the guard, the fighter in Nach defends into a guard
✓Understanding all four guards is essential: each covers different openings and threatens different attacks
Common Mistakes
!Staying in a guard position without attacking — guards are transitional; use them as launching points for techniques
!Only using one guard — each guard has strengths and weaknesses; all four must be developed
!Holding the guard with tension — the guard should be ready and loaded but not tense; tension slows response
!Not understanding which attacks each guard threatens — each guard has natural offensive options; know them
!Transitioning between guards without purpose — each transition should either attack or cover an opening
!Treating guards as purely defensive — guards are offensive positions; the sword threatens from every guard
!Not studying the guards in the context of the Zettel — the historical sources explain when and why to use each guard
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
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
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Art of Combat (Joachim Meyer, 1570)
1BookThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] Forgeng, J., The Art of Combat (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) [2] Tobler, C., Fighting with the German Longsword (Freelance Academy Press, 2004)
2BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Fighting with the German Longsword (Tobler, 2004)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] Forgeng, J., The Art of Combat (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) [2] Tobler, C., Fighting with the German Longsword (Freelance Academy Press, 2004)
5CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Fighting with the German Longsword (Tobler, 2004)
Community
Athletics
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
Sub-techniques
Alber
GenusAlber (the fool) is the low guard that positions the longsword with the point directed toward the ground in front of the fencer, arms extended downward. [1] Alber is considered a provocative or 'foolish' guard because it appears to leave the upper body completely open, inviting the opponent to attack — which is precisely its tactical purpose, as it sets up counter-cuts and Unterhau responses. [1,2] Ringeck and von Danzig note that Alber is used to draw the opponent into over-committing to an attack. [2,3]
Explore
Ochs
GenusOchs (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]
Explore
Pflug
GenusPflug (the plough) positions the longsword at hip level with the point aimed at the opponent's chest or throat, resembling the forward-pointing share of a plough. [1] Pflug is the mirror image of Ochs applied to the lower line, guarding the midsection while threatening a powerful centreline thrust. [1,2] Like Ochs, Pflug can be held on either side of the body, and transitioning between left and right Pflug is a fundamental defensive movement that redirects incoming attacks. [2,3]
Explore
Vom Tag
GenusVom Tag ('from the roof' or 'from the day') is the high guard that raises the longsword above or behind the head, poised to deliver powerful descending cuts. [1] Vom Tag is the most aggressive of the four principal guards, threatening devastating Oberhau and Zornhau cuts with maximum gravitational and rotational force. [1,2] The guard has several variants — with the sword held over the right shoulder, directly overhead, or behind the head — each offering slightly different tactical properties. [2,3]
Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Guard — Huten work?
The Guard (Huten) subfamily covers the four principal guards (Vier Leger) of the German longsword tradition — Vom Tag, Ochs, Pflug, and Alber — which form the positional framework from which all attacks and defences originate. Each guard protects specific lines while threatening others: Vom Tag threatens from above, Ochs guards the upper openings while threatening a thrust, Pflug guards the lower openings while threatening a thrust, and Alber invites the opponent's attack while preparing rising cuts.
Where does the Guard — Huten come from?
The four guards are a core element of the Liechtenauer tradition, first recorded in the fourteenth century and glossed in detail by Ringeck, von Danzig, and Talhoffer in the fifteenth century. Fiore dei Liberi's Italian tradition uses a different set of twelve guards (poste) but the tactical logic — controlling lines through guard selection — is analogous.
Is the Guard — Huten legal in competition?
Traditional martial arts: legal — Practiced in traditional kata/forms and weapon-specific competition under var…; IWUF: legal — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable; HEMA: legal — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories
How dangerous is the Guard — Huten?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
How do I set up the Guard — Huten?
The standard setup chain: Assume Guard (Kamae/Hut) → Measure Distance (Ma-ai) → Initiate Cut/Thrust → Follow Through (Zanshin).
How do I defend against the Guard — Huten?
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 Guard — Huten?
Common variants: 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).
How effective is the Guard — Huten in competition?
Liechtenauer guards are the starting positions used in HEMA longsword competition worldwide.
What are common mistakes when doing the Guard — Huten?
Top errors to watch for: Staying in a guard position without attacking — guards are transitional; use them as launching points for techniques / Only using one guard — each guard has strengths and weaknesses; all four must be developed / Holding the guard with tension — the guard should be ready and loaded but not tense; tension slows response / Not understanding which attacks each guard threatens — each guard has natural offensive options; know them.
What are other names for the Guard — Huten?
The Guard — Huten is also known as Kamae / Hūten, Huten, Leger, Longsword Guards, Four Guards.