Video: Example of Zucken - Pulling from the Bind

In this slowed down example, Christian (right) responds to Michael's attack with a Zornhau or "Wrath Stroke". Aware of the counterattack, Michael moves to strongly parry Christian's blow; Christian then 'pulls' out of the bind of the swords and attacks Michael on his now-exposed right side.

The same basic principles apply throughout the medieval fighting systems, whether one is armed or unarmed, armoured or wearing civilian clothing. Here are two techniques, one with the longsword, the other a wrestling method, demonstrating a fundamental tactic in the 'School of Liechtenauer': whenever you force an opponent to commit to the defense of one part of the body - that is, to one of the 'openings' - you also force him to expose another. In both of these sequences, one of the opponent's sides is attacked. This forces him to focus on that side's defense - leaving his other side exposed to a follow-on attack.

In the above technique, Christian (left) strikes toward Ben's left side with a high, horizontal blow called the Zwerchhau (Cross Strike). Ben defensively binds his sword against Christian's sword and pushes hard against it. This strong commitment to the left side's defense exposes Ben's right side. In the third photograph, Christian uses his sword's crossguard to send Ben even further toward his left side. This also helps to power his follow-on blow to Ben's vulnerable right side, as seen in the fourth photograph. This technique can be found on page 53 of "Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship".

In this technique, on of the 'Three Wrestlings', Ben (right) retreats from Christian's attempt to throw him by putting his right hand behind Ben's right knee and his left hand at the neck. However, Ben's retreat in turn exposes his left side, which Christian exploits by grabbing with the left hand behind the left knee and the right hand at the neck. This is done in concert with some advancing footwork so that he can follow Ben's backpedaling. Once again, Ben's commitment to defending one side becomes a detriment to the his other side. This technique can be found on page 213 of "Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship".

Last Updated June 24, 2002