Winden Lesson
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Winding — Winden·Schlachtschule
This is another in the series of instructional videos I've been presenting for the German Longsword. In this video you …
Winding — Winden
SubFamily巻き・ヴィンデン(Maki / Vinden)
HybridTranslation: winding — winden
Overview
The Winding (Winden) subfamily covers the blade manipulation techniques performed when two longswords are crossed in the bind (Binden), one of the most distinctive and sophisticated aspects of the German tradition. [1] Winding involves rotating the sword around the axis of the bind — by turning the hands and hips — to change the angle of threat from a cut-line to a thrust-line or vice versa, without breaking contact with the opponent's blade. [1],[2] Winding is governed by the principle of Fühlen (feeling) — sensing the opponent's pressure through the crossed blades to determine whether they are hard or soft in the bind, and responding accordingly. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Winding is a core concept of the Liechtenauer tradition that has no direct parallel in most other sword arts, making it one of the most distinctive features of German longsword. [1] The glossators describe Winden as the art of turning the sword from above to below and from below to above within the bind to find openings. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Winden (Winding) is the core close-range technique of the Liechtenauer tradition, executed from the bind (when blades are in contact) by rotating the sword to direct the point at the opponent's openings while maintaining blade pressure. [1] It is arguably the most important intermediate-to-advanced technique in the German system because it enables the fencer to attack from the bind without separating from the opponent's blade, maintaining control and preventing counter-attacks. [2] Liechtenauer's Zettel places Winden alongside the concept of Fühlen (feeling the opponent's pressure through the blade) as the key to winning in close-range combat. [3]
Lineage
Competition Record
Winding is a core technique at HEMA longsword tournaments, used by advanced competitors to gain advantage at the bind. [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
Videos
longsword winden / winding thrust
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Winding — Winden·Jack Harmsworth
In this video, I look at the winden thrust and do my best to explain how to perform it. Braking down the key movements t…
2 videos
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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
✓Winding (Winden) is the core technique of German longsword at the bind — when the swords are in contact, the fighter rotates their sword to find openings while maintaining pressure on the opponent's blade (Tobler, Fighting with the German Longsword, 2004)
✓Winding occurs in the Krieg (war/struggle at the bind): when both swords meet and remain in contact, the next action is determined by winding
✓The four windings: from the bind, the sword can wind to Ochs (high, point at face) or Pflug (low, point at chest) on either side — creating four possible positions
✓Winding uses the principle of Fühlen (feeling): the fighter reads the opponent's pressure through the blade contact and responds accordingly
✓Strong and weak at the sword: when winding, the fighter determines if they are strong (pushing) or weak (being pushed) at the bind and responds appropriately
✓If strong at the bind: wind to the opening and thrust. If weak at the bind: wind away and cut to a different opening
✓Winding is what separates advanced longsword fighting from basic cut-and-parry: it is the technique of the bind that creates finishing opportunities
Common Mistakes
!Disengaging from the bind instead of winding — the bind is where the fight is won; don't retreat from it
!Winding without feeling the opponent's pressure — Fühlen (feeling) determines the correct winding direction
!Winding to the wrong opening — if strong at the bind, wind to the near opening; if weak, wind away
!Using force instead of technique at the bind — winding uses leverage and angle, not strength
!Not maintaining sword contact during the wind — the blade must stay in contact to control the opponent's sword
!Winding without following up — the wind creates an opening; the thrust or cut must follow immediately
!Only winding to one side — all four winding positions must be trained for complete coverage
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)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Forgeng, J., The Art of Combat (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) [2] Tobler, C., Fighting with the German Longsword (Freelance Academy Press, 2004) [3] Tobler, C., In Saint George's Name (Freelance Academy Press, 2010)
2BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Lineage sources — [1] Forgeng, J., The Art of Combat (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) [2] Fiore dei Liberi, Fior di Battaglia (1409), Getty MS Ludwig XV 13
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Forgeng, J., The Art of Combat (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) [2] Tobler, C., Fighting with the German Longsword (Freelance Academy Press, 2004) [3] Tobler, C., In Saint George's Name (Freelance Academy Press, 2010)
5CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Lineage sources — [1] Forgeng, J., The Art of Combat (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) [2] Fiore dei Liberi, Fior di Battaglia (1409), Getty MS Ludwig XV 13
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common mistake people make when winding?
The most common mistake is not actually winding onto the sword—people wind in place instead of winding onto the weak of their opponent's front sword. Another frequent error is rotating the sword before pulling back, which can get you caught on the cross.
How should I move my hands and body when executing winden?
Winden is primarily driven by your left hand while your right hand relaxes. You must pull your sword straight back while keeping your heel in front of your head, and critically, you must shove the weapon to the side—just pulling back alone isn't enough. According to Jack Harmsworth, lean in with your body instead of just extending your arms to maximize power and stability.
What footwork should I use with winden?
Use a gathering step: gather in with your back foot as you wind while simultaneously stepping off with your front foot. It's crucial that the winding and footwork happen together consecutively rather than sequentially, as doing them one after the other wastes time you don't have.
How fast should winden be and how far should I extend?
Winden must be very fast and snappy—done at speed it should look quick and fluid. Don't go past the point of control on the blade or lift any further up than necessary, as this takes time you don't have and risks losing control of your opponent's weapon.
How does the Winding — Winden work?
The Winding (Winden) subfamily covers the blade manipulation techniques performed when two longswords are crossed in the bind (Binden), one of the most distinctive and sophisticated aspects of the German tradition. Winding involves rotating the sword around the axis of the bind — by turning the hands and hips — to change the angle of threat from a cut-line to a thrust-line or vice versa, without breaking contact with the opponent's blade.
Where does the Winding — Winden come from?
Winding is a core concept of the Liechtenauer tradition that has no direct parallel in most other sword arts, making it one of the most distinctive features of German longsword. The glossators describe Winden as the art of turning the sword from above to below and from below to above within the bind to find openings.
Is the Winding — Winden 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 Winding — Winden?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
How do I set up the Winding — Winden?
The standard setup chain: Assume Guard (Kamae/Hut) → Measure Distance (Ma-ai) → Initiate Cut/Thrust → Follow Through (Zanshin).
How do I defend against the Winding — Winden?
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 Winding — Winden?
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 Winding — Winden in competition?
Winding is a core technique at HEMA longsword tournaments, used by advanced competitors to gain advantage at the bind.
What are common mistakes when doing the Winding — Winden?
Top errors to watch for: Disengaging from the bind instead of winding — the bind is where the fight is won; don't retreat from it / Winding without feeling the opponent's pressure — Fühlen (feeling) determines the correct winding direction / Winding to the wrong opening — if strong at the bind, wind to the near opening; if weak, wind away / Using force instead of technique at the bind — winding uses leverage and angle, not strength.
What are other names for the Winding — Winden?
The Winding — Winden is also known as Maki / Vinden, Winden, Winding, Mutieren (when combined with thrust change), Duplieren (when combined with cut change).