Learn the Art of Combat: Longsword Guards - Beginners Guide
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Ochs·Björn Rüther
Knowing the guards in the long sword, knowing which techniques and concepts to apply from each posture, and being able t…
Ochs
Genusオクス(Okusu)
TransliterationTranslation: ochs (ox guard)
Overview
Ochs (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]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Ochs (Ox) positions the sword high and to one side with the point aimed at the opponent's face, threatening a direct thrust while covering the upper openings with the cross-guard and blade. [1] It is the primary guard for initiating thrusts and for entering the Winden (winding) from the bind. [2] Its weakness is exposure of the lower body, which the opponent can exploit with Unterhäue or the Krumphau. [2]
Lineage
Competition Record
Ochs (ox) is a high guard in the Liechtenauer system used to threaten thrusts and wind into the opponent's openings in HEMA competition. [1]
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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 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
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
Videos
Lesson 6, Krump: Thoughts on Ochs
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Ochs·Sword Carolina
Here Josh gives us some great insights into how the Krumphau breaks Ochs. And thanks to Chris for volunteering to work w…
Ochs guard
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Ochs·VCU HEMA
Here we discuss the Ochs guard and how it can be used in sparring, as well as the various transfers associated with it. …
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
Ochs (Ox) is one of the four primary guards in German longsword fencing, characterized by the sword held high with the point directed toward the opponent's face, creating a constant threat of thrust while protecting the head. According to Björn Rüther, this medium-distance guard allows execution of all principal strikes and twere strikes without difficulty, and serves as a common follow-up position when entering the bind with an opponent. VCU HEMA's Nick Allen emphasizes the anatomical distinction between right- and left-handed practitioners: a right-handed fencer's arms cross in right-side ochs (uncross on the left side), with the thumb placed on the flat of the blade for superior sensory feedback and tip control. Allen identifies three primary transfers from ochs: the middle howl (a circular transition with the tip passing behind the head), the thrust (extending the point while stepping to maintain offensive pressure during vulnerable footwork), and the unter howl (a downward cut using the true edge with restricted wrist angles due to anatomical limits). Sword Carolina's Josh emphasizes that ochs applications depend heavily on distance and principle rather than rigid positioning; when an opponent in ochs attempts to thrust during a crump attack on the hands, they expose both hands and head, violating manuscript principles. He introduces the concept of stepping offline (perpendicular to center line) when attempting hand-targeted crumps to maintain defensive advantage and avoid overextension. All three instructors agree ochs serves both defensive and offensive functions, though they approach pedagogical structure differently.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Björn Rüther — Learn the Art of Combat: Longsword Guards - Beginners Guide: Established ochs as one of four primary guards with the point directed at opponent's face, noting its utility as both an offensive threat and defensive position at medium distance, and its common use as a bind transition.
- VCU HEMA — Ochs guard: Provided detailed anatomical and mechanical instruction on ochs positioning (crossed arms for right-handed fencers), thumb placement for sensory control, and systematic instruction in three primary transfers: middle howl, thrust, and unter howl, with step-by-step progression.
- Sword Carolina — Lesson 6, Krump: Thoughts on Ochs: Analyzed ochs through principles of distance and geometry, particularly regarding crump-to-hands techniques; emphasized that offensive responses from ochs expose the defender and that stepping offline creates superior tactical positioning while maintaining defensive integrity.
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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
✓Ochs (the ox) is the high guard of German longsword — the sword is held above the head with the point directed at the opponent's face, threatening the thrust and protecting the upper line (Tobler, Fighting with the German Longsword, 2004)
✓Ochs is named for the ox's horns: the crossguard above the head resembles horns, and the point threatens like a horn thrust
✓From Ochs, the primary attacks are: the thrust (Stich) directly at the face or chest, and the Zwerchhau (cross cut) that sweeps horizontally
✓Ochs protects the upper openings: the sword's position covers the head and upper body from incoming cuts
✓Ochs can be held on either side of the body (left or right Ochs), each covering different lines and threatening different angles
✓In the winding (Winden) technique, Ochs is the position achieved when the sword winds to the high opening from a bind
✓Ochs transitions naturally to Pflug by dropping the point from the face to the opponent's centre — this covers the transition from high to mid defence
Common Mistakes
!Holding Ochs with the point too high — the point must threaten the opponent's face for the guard to be effective
!Not threatening the thrust from Ochs — the thrust is the primary weapon; without the threat, the guard is passive
!Keeping the arms too extended — the arms should be slightly bent for mobility and responsiveness
!Only using Ochs on one side — both left and right Ochs must be trained for complete coverage
!Not transitioning from Ochs to attack — the guard should flow into offensive action, not be held statically
!Holding Ochs too tightly — the grip should be firm but not tense for quick transitions
!Not understanding the relationship between Ochs and the Zwerchhau — the cross cut launches naturally from this position
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] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat [2] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat [3] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat
2BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Forgeng, J., The Art of Combat (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) [2] Tobler, C., Fighting with the German Longsword (Freelance Academy Press, 2004)
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 Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat [2] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat [3] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat
5CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Forgeng, J., The Art of Combat (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) [2] Tobler, C., Fighting with the German Longsword (Freelance Academy Press, 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key difference in hand position between Ochs and other guards?
In Ochs, your thumb should be on the sword hilt, which gives you much better control of the tip and lets you know what's happening with your opponent's blade. This thumb positioning is important whether you're on the right or left side.
How should I move when practicing Ochs footwork?
When training Ochs, take big oblique passing steps rather than moving straight forward or backward. This allows you to effectively train what it will be like in actual combat distance and positioning.
What should I do if my opponent tries to thrust from their Ochs position?
If you respond to an opponent's thrust from Ochs by stepping off the center line to the side, you force them to expose their hands closer to you, giving you a defensive advantage. Sword Carolina emphasizes stepping to the side rather than forward when responding.
How is my body posture different in Ochs compared to other guards?
In Ochs your knees are less bent and you stand a bit higher than in guards like Vom Tag, since your sword is concentrated upward rather than over your shoulder.
How does the Ochs work?
Ochs (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. Ochs threatens an immediate thrust to the opponent's face while simultaneously protecting the upper line with the crossguard and blade.
Where does the Ochs come from?
Ochs is one of Liechtenauer's four principal guards, named for its resemblance to an ox's horns threatening from above. The German glossators describe Ochs as the guard that commands the upper openings and from which the most dangerous thrusts are delivered.
Is the Ochs 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 Ochs?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
How do I set up the Ochs?
The standard setup chain: Assume Guard (Kamae/Hut) → Measure Distance (Ma-ai) → Initiate Cut/Thrust → Follow Through (Zanshin).
How do I defend against the Ochs?
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 Ochs?
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 Ochs in competition?
Ochs (ox) is a high guard in the Liechtenauer system used to threaten thrusts and wind into the opponent's openings in HEMA competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Ochs?
Top errors to watch for: Holding Ochs with the point too high — the point must threaten the opponent's face for the guard to be effective / Not threatening the thrust from Ochs — the thrust is the primary weapon; without the threat, the guard is passive / Keeping the arms too extended — the arms should be slightly bent for mobility and responsiveness / Only using Ochs on one side — both left and right Ochs must be trained for complete coverage.
What are other names for the Ochs?
The Ochs is also known as Okusu, Ox Guard, Ox, Upper Hanging Guard.