The Four Principal Guards
Medieval longsword systems traditionally recognized four primary guards: the Fool, the Plow, the Ox, and the Day. These foundational positions remained central to fencing instruction through the Renaissance period, including in Joachim Meyer's 1570 manuscript. Meyer's approach differed from earlier sources by using guards as organizational tools to structure techniques and develop fencer understanding.
The Upper Guard (Oberhut)
In the Upper Guard, the sword is positioned directly above the head without exception. This position enables execution of all principal strikes and bind techniques while maintaining control at middle distance. The Upper Guard serves as a primary recommendation in Meyer's system despite its less common use in modern practice.
The Ox Guard
The Ox Guard directs the point toward the opponent's face, maintaining a constant thrust threat while protecting the head. From this versatile middle-distance position, practitioners can execute all major strikes, thrusts, and bind techniques. The Ox Guard is a natural follow-up position when establishing contact with an opponent.
The Plow Guard
The Plow Guard is a universal position favored in modern sparring practice for its balanced combination of threat and defense. Its primary offensive advantage lies in rapid thrusts and quick cuts to the hands and arms. This guard excels at quick parrying and enables immediate counterattacking transitions.
The Fool Guard
The Fool Guard appears to invite high attacks by exposing upper openings, but these invitations are quickly answered with powerful parrying strikes from below. Once opponents recognize this trap, they adopt more cautious approach patterns. This guard is also effective for leg protection, similar to guard positions with other medieval weapons.
The Wrath Guard (Zornhut)
The Wrath Guard derives its name from its aggressive positioning and enables powerful strikes. Rather than a static position, it functions primarily as a dynamic transitional posture during weapon engagement. From here, practitioners can intercept incoming head attacks with nimble blade shifts.
The Hanging Point
The Hanging Point Guard positions the blade tip downward while maintaining a posture similar to the Ox Guard. Though this position exposes the hands and head, it deliberately invites opponent attacks that practitioners can counter with all principal strikes. This reactive positioning allows skilled fencers to respond decisively to aggressive approaches.
The Iron Gate (Eisenport)
The Iron Gate is fundamentally a protective guard with the blade positioned above the knee and point directed forward. Also known as the Scranghout in older manuscripts, this position appears in both longsword and rapier sections of Meyer's system. It provides comprehensive defense while maintaining offensive potential.
The Key Guard
The Key Guard is designed specifically to break and disrupt opponent guards through centralized thrust attacks. By forcing opponent movement and reaction, the practitioner gains initiative even if the initial technique doesn't land. This dynamic approach resets engagement patterns and creates opportunities for follow-up techniques.
Learn the Art of Combat: Longsword Guards - Beginners Guide
Key Takeaways
- •The Four Principal Guards
- •The Upper Guard (Oberhut)
- •The Ox Guard
- •The Plow Guard
Knowing the guards in the long sword, knowing which techniques and concepts to apply from each posture, and being able to make our fencing dynamic and intuitive. 0:27 Intro (What is a guard?) 2:34 Upper Guard (Vom Tag) 3:12 Ox (Ochs) 4:00 Plow (Pflug) 4:44 Fool (Alber) 5:31 Wrath Guard (Zornhut) 6:20 Change Guard (Wechsel) 7:16 Side Guard (Nebenhut) 7:54 Unicorn (Eynhorn) 8:30 Key (Schlüssel) 9:14 Hanging Point (Hangetort) 9:55 Iron Gate (Eysenport) 11:12 Middle Guard (MIttelhut) 12:00 Longpoint (Langenort) 12:58 Break Window (Brechfenster)
Related Techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this video teach about hanging guard?
This video covers the four principal guards, the upper guard (oberhut), the ox guard. It provides detailed instruction from Björn Rüther.
How long does it take to learn hanging guard?
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.
What are the key details for finishing hanging guard?
The Iron Gate is fundamentally a protective guard with the blade positioned above the knee and point directed forward. Also known as the Scranghout in older manuscripts, this position appears in both longsword and rapier sections of Meyer's system. It provides comprehensive defense while maintaining offensive potential.
