Nerd to Knight: Using Pflug
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Pflug·Adelaide Sword Academy
Using the guard Pflug, or plough. Offences, defences, and a couple of cool closes.
Pflug
Genusプフルーク(Pufurūku)
TransliterationTranslation: pflug (plough guard)
Overview
Pflug (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]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Pflug (Plough) positions the sword low and to one side with the point aimed at the opponent's face or chest, covering the lower openings while threatening a thrust. [1] It is an excellent guard for controlling the bind (Winden) because the blade is already in the centre line, and the fencer can thrust, wind, or cut from this position with minimal telegraphing. [2] Liechtenauer's tradition considers Pflug one of the strongest defensive guards because it covers the lower body while maintaining an aggressive point threat. [2]
Lineage
Competition Record
Pflug (plow) is one of the four primary guards in the Liechtenauer system, commonly used as a starting position in HEMA longsword tournament bouts. [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
Marcos & Matthys - Longsword simple binding exercise
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Pflug·Marcos Ariño
Starting point is binding in pflug, first from the right, then the left, with alternating right-of-way between white and…
Learn the Art of Combat: Longsword Guards - Beginners Guide
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Pflug·Björn Rüther
Knowing the guards in the long sword, knowing which techniques and concepts to apply from each posture, and being able t…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The Pflug (Plow) is a fundamental longsword guard in historical European martial arts, particularly documented in late medieval and Renaissance sources including Joachim Meyer's 16th-century manuscript. According to Björn Rüther, the Pflug is one of four primary guards in medieval fencing traditions, alongside the Fool, Ox, and Day guards, though Meyer expanded the system to include 14 total guards with various transitions and endpoints. Rüther characterizes the Pflug as a popular and versatile guard frequently encountered in modern HEMA practice, combining defensive capability with offensive threat. The guard's primary strengths include rapid parrying of incoming strikes, quick attacks to the hands and arms, and effective thrust delivery. Rüther emphasizes that the Pflug facilitates thrusts and swift cuts to the extremities as its chief offensive tools, while simultaneously providing good defense through its structural positioning. The guard functions well at medium distances and serves as a common transitional posture during blade binding exchanges with opponents. Rüther notes that Meyer himself recommended practicing primarily from the Day guard rather than the more commonly favored Pflug among contemporary practitioners, though both remain core technical positions. The guard's versatility makes it suitable for flowing between various striking techniques and defensive responses without requiring dramatic repositioning.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Björn Rüther — Learn the Art of Combat: Longsword Guards - Beginners Guide: Comprehensive guard analysis positioning Pflug as a universal guard combining threat and defense, strong for thrusts and hand/arm cuts, good for quick parrying, and effective at medium distance. Situates Pflug within Meyer's 14-guard system and notes its popularity in modern HEMA despite Meyer's preference for the Day guard.
- Marcos Ariño — Marcos & Matthys - Longsword simple binding exercise: Demonstrates Pflug application in practical binding scenarios and response options, showing how the guard functions during blade contact and pressure exchanges.
- Adelaide Sword Academy — Nerd to Knight: Using Pflug: Video present but transcript insufficient for specific technical contribution analysis.
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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
✓Pflug (the plow) is the mid-level guard of German longsword — the sword is held beside the hip with the point directed at the opponent's chest or face, protecting the centre line (Tobler, Fighting with the German Longsword, 2004)
✓Pflug is named for the plow because the sword position resembles a plow's handle: the hilt is at the hip and the blade angles upward toward the opponent
✓Pflug threatens the thrust to the centre: the point aims directly at the opponent's torso, creating a constant threat
✓Pflug protects the lower openings while threatening the centre: it is the most balanced guard in the system
✓Like Ochs, Pflug can be held on either side: left Pflug and right Pflug cover different lines
✓Pflug is the guard most commonly assumed after a parry: the sword naturally settles into Pflug after deflecting an incoming cut
✓In the winding system, Pflug is the position achieved when the sword winds to the low opening from a bind — it mirrors Ochs as the lower winding position
Common Mistakes
!Holding the point too low — the point must be directed at the opponent's face or chest to maintain the threat
!Not using both left and right Pflug — each side covers different openings; both must be practised
!Keeping the hilt too far from the hip — the hilt should be close to the body for structural support
!Not transitioning from Pflug to attack — the thrust from Pflug should be drilled until automatic
!Treating Pflug as purely defensive — it is an offensive guard; the thrust threat is its primary function
!Holding Pflug with stiff arms — the arms should be relaxed and ready to respond
!Not understanding Pflug's role in the winding system — Pflug is a winding destination; understand the transitions
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
Why shouldn't I constantly change my guard position?
You should never change your guard without an idea or intention behind it. Otherwise, you only give your opponent more options to attack openings while you're caught off-guard.
What is Pflug particularly good for attacking?
Pflug is particularly good for striking beautiful crooked hoos (hooked cuts).
How do I learn what techniques work from Pflug?
Study multiple examples of what to fence from this posture and what concepts apply to it, as instructors like Meijer demonstrate various offensive, defensive, and counter-attack options from the guard.
How does the Pflug work?
Pflug (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. Pflug is the mirror image of Ochs applied to the lower line, guarding the midsection while threatening a powerful centreline thrust.
Where does the Pflug come from?
Pflug is one of Liechtenauer's four principal guards, described by the glossators as the guard that commands the lower openings. The agricultural imagery of the name reflects the medieval German tendency to use familiar objects as mnemonics for guard positions.
Is the Pflug 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 Pflug?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
How do I set up the Pflug?
The standard setup chain: Assume Guard (Kamae/Hut) → Measure Distance (Ma-ai) → Initiate Cut/Thrust → Follow Through (Zanshin).
How do I defend against the Pflug?
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 Pflug?
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 Pflug in competition?
Pflug (plow) is one of the four primary guards in the Liechtenauer system, commonly used as a starting position in HEMA longsword tournament bouts.
What are common mistakes when doing the Pflug?
Top errors to watch for: Holding the point too low — the point must be directed at the opponent's face or chest to maintain the threat / Not using both left and right Pflug — each side covers different openings; both must be practised / Keeping the hilt too far from the hip — the hilt should be close to the body for structural support / Not transitioning from Pflug to attack — the thrust from Pflug should be drilled until automatic.
What are other names for the Pflug?
The Pflug is also known as Pufurūku, Plow Guard, Plough, Lower Thrust Guard.