Introduction

Shawn Franklin and Nicole Smith from Blood and Iron Martial Arts present instruction on delivering a proper descending cut with a longsword. This fundamental skill is essential to any sword martial art, though mastery requires understanding specific technical principles.

Power Generation from the Hips

The hips serve as the primary power source for all cutting techniques. While static practice requires conscious hip engagement and repetition to develop proficiency, stepping naturally activates hip rotation during dynamic movement.

Coordination of Hips, Feet, and Blade

Proper timing between the hips, feet, and sword is critical for safe and effective cuts. The practitioner should achieve blade impact just as the stepping foot makes ground contact, ensuring grounded structure without overcommitting the body ahead of the weapon.

Blade Rotation and Hand Mechanics

A static blade pressed against a target generates minimal cutting force; rotation is essential for effectiveness. This rotation is transmitted through the left hand by rotating with hip power while maintaining structural integrity, rather than through pushing or pulling motions.

Grip Adjustment and Wrist Structure

A death grip with the entire hand restricts extension and risks wrist hyperextension. Adjusting the grip to emphasize the pinky fingers allows full blade extension while preserving wrist alignment, enabling maximum power transfer from the body through the sword.

Edge Alignment and Cutting Mechanics

Edge alignment is critical to cutting success and cannot be properly validated through training with blunt weapons alone. Practitioners should regularly test alignment through sharp steel practice or dedicated test cutting to develop proper edge awareness.

Long Point Positioning Strategy

Cutting to an extended long point position ahead of the body offers strategic advantages and facilitates point work for thrusts. However, this positioning significantly reduces cutting power; historical sources indicate proper cuts should follow through and terminate near the legs.

Slicing versus Hewing Application

Drawing the blade during the cut increases penetration of textiles but reduces overall cutting depth. While slicing is beneficial for lighter weapons like the rapier, the longsword is optimized for hewing technique designed to sever limbs rather than penetrate bone.

Progression and Practice Requirements

The mechanics of the descending cut apply universally to cuts at all angles and ranges. Practitioners must develop fundamental technique with larger motions before attempting to refine and tighten movements, and consistent training is essential to achieving results.

Delivering a proper Descending Cut - Understanding HEMA

Blood and Iron HEMA

Rising Draw Cut

2 min read·9 key moments·PT5M15S video

Key Takeaways

•Introduction
•Power Generation from the Hips
•Coordination of Hips, Feet, and Blade
•Blade Rotation and Hand Mechanics

Hosts Nicole Smith and Sean Franklin go in depth with some of the technical aspects of throwing a proper descending cut with a longsword (although this can be applied to many other weapons such as the messer, saber, etc). Follow us on Social Media! http://www.bloodandiron.ca/ https://www.facebook.com/BloodandIronHEMA/ https://twitter.com/bloodandironwma https://www.instagram.com/bloodandironmartialarts/ "Rite of Passage" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Related Techniques

Horizontal Draw Cut

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this video teach about rising draw cut?

This video covers introduction, power generation from the hips, coordination of hips, feet, and blade. It provides detailed instruction from Blood and Iron HEMA.

How long does it take to learn rising draw cut?

The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 9-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.